Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, Uttarakhand

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.

Location