
People also say that a dip in the holy spring situated here is said to cure infertility and infant diseases. There is an interesting legend attached to Markandeyaji Temple, which revolves around one Rishi Mrikandu. The rishi had no children and used to pray to Lord Shiva fervently for a child. The Lord blessed him with a son, but also told him that the son will die after reaching just 12 years of age. Rishi Mrikandu named his son Markanday and started living in the constant anxiety and fear of death of his only child.
When Markanday came to know the reason of his father's fear, he started worshipping Lord Shiva at the same place where the idol stands enshrined today. Markanday got blessed by the Lord, with a long life, on the day of Baishakhi and at that very moment, a spring of water started flowing there. This spring is considered holy and it is said that the pilgrimage of Char Dham is complete only when one takes a dip in this spring. Markanday ji temple serves as the venue of a religious fair that is organized every year at Baisakhi.