The Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, is located in the town of Kavi Kamboi, (90 kms from Baroda)in the state of Gujarat.This ancient Shiva temple is located on the betwixt of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Cambay. This is very simple temple with nothing extraordinary in the architecture for the on lookers, but it is still a very unusual must visit religious sites of India. What is so unique about the temple is, that the temple gets totally submerged into the Sea during the high tide hours and as the tide starts to get low it again starts emerging out of the sea inch by inch, unveiling the 4 feet high Shiva lingam.
Legends add that despite being a demon, Tarakasaur was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He had undergone intense penance to please him which, of course, managed to please Lord Shiva. It’s said that the demon took advantage of the opportunity and asked for a boon, which can shield him from death. But as death is inevitable, Lord Shiva asked him to ask for another boon. Tarakasur then wished for a blessing, which stated that none other than the six-day-old son of Lord Shiva can kill him. Lord Shiva then granted his wish, after which Tarakasur created havoc in the three worlds and caused massive destruction. To put an end to this, Lord Shiva created Lord Kartikeya from the flame of his third eye, which put an end to the story.
Also, there is another version that states Lord Kartikeya, who punished Tarakasur, was also in awe because of his devotion for Lord Shiva. As a gesture of appreciation, he installed a shivalinga at the site, where Tarakasur was executed.
