Omkareshwar Temple,
Ukhimath, Uttarakhand
Omkareshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located in Ukhimath Town, a Hindu pilgrimage site
in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, India. Ukhimath is situated at an
elevation of 1,317 mts above sea level. Ukhimath is also written as Okhimath
sometimes. Ukhimath is the home of Lord Kedarnath and other Pancha Kedar
deities during winters. Worship is performed at the Omkareshwar Temple here
during winters, when the temple of Kedarnath remains closed. Ukhimath is
mainly inhabited by the Rawal's who are the head priests (pundits) of Kedarnath.
It is a part of the Char Dham Yatra tour destinations within Uttarakhand. Ukhimath is situated on the road connecting Guptkashi with
Gopeshwar.
Legends
Omkareshwar:
According to the legend, Emperor Mandhadha, the ancestor
of Lord Ram, during his last years gave up everything including his empire and
came to Ukhimath and did penance for 12 years by standing on one leg. At the
end of his penance Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of Omkar and blessed
him. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Omkareshwar.
Ukhimath:
As per the legend, the wedding of Aniruddha, grandson of
Lord Krishna and Usha, the daughter of Banasura took place here. The place
came to be called as Usha Math after her. Later, it got corrupted to Ukhimath.
The Temple
The Temple is situated at an elevation of 1317 metres
above mean sea level. Presiding Deity is called as Omkareswarar. He is housed
in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Temple houses the utsava (festival) deities
of Kedarnath and Panch Kedar Deities during winters (November- April), when the
temples of Kedarnath and other Pancha Kedar shrines remain closed. The idols of
the deities are brought to Omkareshwar Temple after Diwali, and priests worship
them for six months. These deities are taken back in a procession to their
original temples in mid-May.
There is a stone idol of Mandhata, an emperor from Ikshvaku
dynasty and ancestor of Lord
Ram, in the temple premises. The temple courtyard is surrounded by a
double storeyed building, used for priests quarters and store rooms. Ukhimath Town
houses shrines and temples Usha, Shiva, Aniruddha, Parvati and
Mandhata. From Ukhimath, Devotees can have a beautiful view of Kedarnath peak,
Chaukhamba & the surrounding Valley on clear sunny day.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Guptkashi Bus
Stand, 13 Kms from Guptkashi, 41 Kms from Rudraprayag, 70 Kms from Gopeshwar,
177 Kms from Rishikesh Railway Station, 194 Kms from Dehradun Airport, 204 Kms
from Haridwar and 423 Kms from New Delhi Airport. Ukhimath is situated on the
road connecting Guptkashi with Gopeshwar. Ukhimath is connected by direct bus
service with Rudraprayag Gaurikund, Guptkashi & Srinagar.
No comments:
Post a Comment