Mukti Gupteshwar Temple (Minto Temple) is a man-made cave temple of the 13th jyotirlinga Gupteshwar – an incarnate of Lord Shiva. This temple is the first and the only man-made cave temple all over the world. Visited by hundreds of tourists and pilgrims, the temple is situated in Australian city New South Wales’s Minto suburb. This temple was inaugurated in 1999.
The king of Nepal Maharaja Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev gifted the idol of Gupteshwar to the Australian people. The temple is one of the biggest attractions of the city. Mukti Gupteshwar temple celebrates lots of Hindu festivals like Maha Shiva Ratri, Shravan, Bhairava Ashtami etc. people from all over the world come to visit the temple.
History of Mukti Gupteshwar Temple of Minto, Australia
This temple is the first and the only man-made cave temple all over the world. The idol of Gupteshwar which is the main deity of the temple was Maharaja Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev’s idol. He was the Maharaja of Nepal at that time.
When Hindu religion believers of Australia planned to create the cave temple at Minto, Australia, Maharaj of Nepal decided to gift the idol to the Australian people. The construction work began in the year 1997.
And it took 2 years to complete the whole construction. Finally 14th February of 1999 the temple was inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shiva Ratri. The temple created history as it becomes the one and the only man-made cave temple all over the world.
Inside of Mukti Gupteshwar Temple
Mukti Gupteshawr is the 13th jyotirlingam of Mahadev which is the main idol of the temple. There are 12 other man-made jyotirlingas replicas inside the temple. Apart from that inside the temple, there is 108 human made lingas of Lord Shiva and 1008 fannings of Lord Shiva which represents the Rudra names and Shastra names of Lord Shiva. There are total 1228 replicas of Lord Shiva temple inside the cave. There is a 10-meter deep vault inside the cave. Inside the vault, there is more than 2 million handwritten note from visitors all over the world each saying “OM NAMHA SHIVAYA”.
The vault also contains water of 81 different rivers from all over the world including all major rivers of Australia and five oceans. 8 precious metals and good wishes from holy men from all over the world also took place inside the vault. Apart from the main Mandir, there are three other temples inside the cave which are Matha Mandir, Ramparvati mandir, and Ganesh Mandir.
Construction and architecture of the Mukti Guptehwar Temple
The construction work began on September 1997. 1450 square meters of floor area is built underground approximately. There is a Ganesh temple above the cave which is the one and only construction above the ground. The Ganesh temple is situated in the exact middle of the temple premises.
To create the underground structure constructors had to move almost 65000 cubic meters of earth from the site. 860 cubic meters of high strength concrete and 380 cubic meters of normal concrete were used to create the cave and the temple. Almost 5000 trees were planted inside the temple premises to beautify the site. All these things make the Mukti Gupteshwar Temple one of its kind. The constructors took nearly 2 years to create this amazing construction.
Festivals at Mukti Gupteshwar Temple
The temple authority celebrates various Hindu festivals like Maha Shiva Ratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shravan Etc.
Maha Shiv Ratri
Maha Shiva Ratri is the biggest festival of Mukti Gupteshwar temple. People from all over the world visit the temple during that time. Brahmin priests start the religious rituals at around 9 am on that day and continues with the accts like Homan, Arathi, Nam Jap etc. On the month of Magha according to the Hindu calendar just before the summer, the festival occurs. This typically falls in the month of February or March. Unlike other religious festivals, this festival starts at night. The temple committee along with thousands of others devotees celebrates the festival all night long at the Mukti Gupteshwar Temple. Women of Hindu religion believers wash the Gupteshwar idol with holy water. If you are planning to visit Mukti Gupteshwar temple then this is the best time to visit.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is another big festival of Mukti Gupteshwar temple of Minto, Australia. Apart from the Shiva temple, there is a Ganesha temple as well. So Ganesha is another Deity of the temple. And the temple committee celebrates the festival every year. Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival begins on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi which typically falls on the month of September. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit the temple on that special day. Brahmin priests perform the religious rituals like Homan, Arathi, Maha puja etc. Hindu devotees visit the temple that day to celebrate the auspicious occasion.
Ram Navami
Ram Navami is a religious festival of Hindus. On that day the Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Ram. The festival is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar which is known as “Chaitra Shukla Navami”. This festival typically occurs in the month of March or April every year and the Mukti Gupteshwar temple committee celebrates the festival on that day with thousands of Hindu devotees.
Shravana
Shravan is the fifth month of the Indian calendar. The believers of Hindu religion celebrate the whole month by devoting lord Shiva. The believers of Hindu religion celebrate this festival one month long at the Mukti Gupteshwar Temple of Minto, Australia.Other Watchable Places Near The Mukti Gupteshwar Temple
The Australian Botanic Garden
The Australian botanic garden is one of the biggest attractions near the Mukti Gupteshswar temple. It is one of the most popular botanical gardens in Australia 416 hectares of area and it is only 10 km away from the temple. If you are visiting the temple do not forget to visit this beautiful garden very near to the temple.
Campbelltown Golf Club
If you love golf then you must visit the Campbelltown golf club which is an 18 hole golf course. It is one of the most popular golf courses of the town and just 11 km away from the temple so if you are visiting the Mukti Gupteshwar temple of Minto Australia, you must visit the Golf course.
How to Reach the Mukti Gupteshwar Temple?
By Air – Sydney airport is the nearest airport from the temple which is almost 40 km away from the temple. You can find public transport like buses or book a cab or rental car to visit the temple.
By Road– Lots of busses from all over the NSW comes to the Mukti Gupteshwar temple. Apart from that, you can book a personal car to visit the temple.
Mukti Gupteshwar Temple, NSW, Australia
- Location: Minto, NSW, Australia
- Main Deity: Mukti Gupteshwar (Lord Shiva)
- Established By: Australian believers of Hindu religion
- Known for: The one and only man-made cave temple all over the world
- Entry Fees: Nil
- Day Timing: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Evening Timing: 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.
- Weekends and Public Holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm