Kartik Swami, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Kartik Swami, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Kartik Swami Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya, located near Kanak Chauri Village in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, India. The Temple is perched on a hilltop at an elevation of 3050 mts above sea level. The main attraction of this Temple is the mighty Chaukhamba peak which appears in the temple background.

Legends

Once Lord Shiva told his sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan that between them who will be the first to take seven rounds of the universe will have the privilege of being worshiped first. Lord Kartik obeyed his father and moved with his carrier to complete the job. In the meantime, Ganesha took seven rounds around Lord Shiva and Parvati saying he sees the whole universe in his parents, in Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Shiva was amazed at Ganesha’s wisdom and honoured him with being worshiped first before any one.

In the meantime, Lord Kartik came back and heard about the incident. Angered by this, Kartikeya sacrificed his body and gave his bones to Lord Shiva and flesh to Mother Parvati as reverence. This is the spot where Lord Kartik sacrificed himself. So, the idol of Kartik in this Temple depicts the bones here. This Story is similar to famous Palani Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu. The only difference is here the fight is for being worshipped first but in Tamil Nadu, the fight is for divine mango.

The Temple

Kartik Swami Temple is located at the end of a narrow ridge with deep valley all around, at an altitude of 3050 mts above sea level. The temple can be reached after taking a flight of 80 stairs from the main road. The Sanctum houses the idol of Lord Kartik Swami, carved on a marble rock. The main attraction of this Temple is the mighty Chaukhamba peak which appears in the temple background.

Hundreds of bells can be found hanging in the temple complex. These come in different sizes and shapes. The musical cadence produced by their ringing when wind blows across the temple compound is noteworthy. There is an interesting ritual behind the many bells hanging in there. It is believed that carrying a bell to the temple on the occasion of Kartik Purnima would render one’s wish true.

From the temple, tourists can have a mesmerizing view of snow-clad Himalayan peaks of Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath Dome, Meru & Sumeru, Chaukhamba Peak, Neelkanth, Dronagiri, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul and Nanda Devi group of peaks.  It is also renowned for offering the magnificent sunrise and heart-melting sunset views.

Festivals

Kartik Poornima and 11 days Kalash Yatra are observed in this temple with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Kanak Chauri Bus Station, 18 Kms from Chopta, 18 Kms from Pokhari, 42 Kms from Rudraprayag, 44 Kms from Karnaprayag, 177 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 197 Kms from Dehradun Airport and 425 Kms from New Delhi Airport. The Temple can be accessed through a 3 Kms trek from Kanak Chauri Bus Station. The Kanak Chauri Village is situated on Rudraprayag – Pokhari route.

Location