Tilaswan Mahadev Temple is located in the Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. It is an ancient and sacred Shiva temple, well-known across the region for its unique Shiva Linga and its holy pond. The temple is believed to be around 2,000 years old. Historical records and traditions say that it was established between the 10th and 12th centuries by King Havan.
The main deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Tilaswan Mahadev. The temple has a self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Linga, which is very small and shaped like a sesame seed (til). This rare form of the Linga gives the temple its great spiritual importance. Along with the Linga, an idol of Lord Shiva is also present in the sanctum.
The temple is built in the traditional North Indian style of temple architecture. Though simple, its sanctity lies in the Swayambhu Linga and the sacred pond (kund) within the premises. This pond is the most unique feature of the temple, as it is linked to legends of healing skin diseases.
The temple’s origins go back to King Havan, who ruled the Bijolia region, also called the Uparmal area. He built twelve sacred ponds (Mandakinis) in this region. Among them, the Tilaswan Mahadev pond became the most famous because of its healing powers. For the last 16 generations, the Parashar family has been maintaining and serving the temple.
Long ago, the region of Bijolia in Rajasthan was ruled by King Havan. One day, the king was struck with a severe skin disease — leprosy. His body was covered with sores, and despite trying many remedies, he found no cure. The suffering of the king worried the people and the sages of his kingdom.
At this time, a wise yogi came to his court. The yogi told the king that only the grace of Lord Shiva could cure him completely. He advised the king to bathe in the sacred pond of Mandakini Mahadev in Bijolia and worship Lord Shiva there.
The king followed the yogi’s instructions. After bathing in the pond and performing worship, most of his disease disappeared. But a small spot of leprosy, the size of a sesame seed (til), remained on his body.
Seeing this, the yogi guided the king once more. He told him to travel a little further south to another sacred pond. There, he should bathe in the holy water and worship the Shiva Linga present. The king obeyed. As soon as he bathed in this pond and prayed with devotion, even the last sesame-sized spot of disease vanished.
From that moment, the place became famous as Tilaswan Mahadev – “Til” meaning sesame seed and “Swan” referring to bathing. It symbolized the place where even the smallest trace of disease, like a sesame seed, was removed by Lord Shiva’s blessing.
Grateful to Lord Shiva, King Havan built a grand temple at the site, installing the Swayambhu (self-manifested) Shiva Linga, which is itself naturally shaped like a sesame seed. Since then, the temple has been a center of faith and healing for centuries.
Devotees believe that bathing in the Tilaswan Kund (pond) and applying its holy soil can cure skin diseases. This belief is carried forward for generations, and even today, thousands of people visit the temple with faith in Lord Shiva’s healing power.
At Tilaswan Mahadev Temple, the main festivals are Maha Shivaratri and the Shravan month (July–August). During these times, thousands of devotees visit the temple, bathe in the sacred pond, and offer special pujas to Lord Shiva. The temple sees its largest gatherings on Shivaratri, while throughout the year people continue to come seeking blessings and relief from skin diseases.
