Kalpeshwar Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Kalpeshwar Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Kalpeshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,217.8 ft) in the picturesque Urgam valley in the Garhwal region in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand state in India. This temple is the fifth temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, comprising five Shiva temples in the Garhwal region. The other temples in the circuit include: Kedarnath, Tungnath and Rudranath to be visited before Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar to be visited after Madmaheshwar. The Hair locks (Jata) of the bull, considered a divine form of Shiva, is worshipped at this temple, believed to be built by the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year.  The temple priests at this temple are the Dasnamis and Gossains, disciples of Adi Shankara. Alaknanda and Kalpganga rivers can be seen all along the way while going from Helang to Kalpeshwar. The Buddha Kedar Temple and Dhyan Badri Temple, one of the Sapta Badri temples are situated on the way to the Kalpeshwar temple.

Legends 

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/kalpeshwar-temple-chamoli-legends.html

The Temple

Kalpeshwar Temple is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. This Temple is located at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,217.8 ft) in the picturesque Urgam Valley. A small trail with crude steps leads to the archway of the temple, colourful with hanging bells. The temple is built with granite stones. The tower built of stone slabs, has a wooden deck with arch openings. A traditional porch was built later for space for temple facilities.

The cave passage has rock carvings on symbolizing Lord's tresses. The sanctum is preceded by a natural cave passage. The Sanctum houses Shiva Linga. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in his divine form of Jatas (Hairs). Hence, Lord Shiva is also called as Jatadhar or Jateshwar. This Temple houses the famous Kalpa Vriksha tree here which is said to be the wish granting tree in Hindu mythology.

Festivals

Maha Shivrathri is the most famous festival celebrated here with much fanfare.

Accommodation

Home stay accommodation options are available at Kalpeshwar. Visitors can also stay at the temple dharmashala. Alternatively, visitors can also setup their tents. There are many guest houses in Devgram, which offer accommodation and food at very nominal charges.

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit Kalpeshwar is from May-June and September-October. 

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/05/kalpeshwar-temple-chamoli-connectivity.html

Location

Rudranath Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Rudranath Temple, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Rudranath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Garhwal Himalayan mountains in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand, India. It is located at 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) above sea level. This natural cave temple is situated within a dense forest of rhododendron dwarfs and Alpine pastures. The mountain peaks of Trisul, Nanda Devi, Devasthan, Hathi Parbat and Nanda Ghunti are visible from Rudranath. The name "Rudranath", literally means, "Him who is Angry."

The temple is the third temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, comprising five Shiva temples in the Garhwal region. The other temples in the circuit includes: Kedarnath and Tungnath to be visited before Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar or Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar to be visited after Rudranath. Rudranath is the toughest of the famous Panch Kedar pilgrimage treks. The priests at the Rudranath temple are Bhatts and Tiwaris of Gopeshwar village.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/rudranath-temple-chamoli-legends.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/rudranath-temple-chamoli-temple.html

Festivals

The temple celebrates an annual fair on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Sravan (July–August) that is mostly on the day of Rakshabhandan. The fair is attended mainly by locals.

Religious Significance

Winter Seat:

In winter, a utsava idol of Rudranath is brought to Gopeshwar for worship. The return journey commences from Gopeshwar through Sagar, Lyuti bugyal, Panar and finally reach Pitradhar. After passing through Dhalabani Maidan, it reaches to Rudranath. Here first the Vandevi is worshipped. The local belief is that Vandevi protects the area. Vandevi is paid respect and it is believed that Vandevi takes care of the place.

Rudra Ganga:

The Rudraganga river is identified with the river of salvation, where souls of the dead cross to reach the other world. Thus, devotees visit Rudranath to perform rituals of the dead, such as performing a Pind offering. Some believe that offering a Pind to ancestors here equals offering a hundred million at the holy city of Gaya.

Accommodation

Home stay accommodation options are available at Rudranath. You can also stay at the temple Dharamshala. Accommodation options are available at Sagar, Lyuti Bugyal, Panar and Urgam. The best time to visit this place is from September to October.

Trekking & Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/rudranath-temple-chamoli-trekking-connectivity.html

Location

Tungnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Tungnath Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Tungnath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the mountain range of Tunganath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Tungnath is the highest Shiva Temple in the world and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar Temples. The temple is believed to be around 1000 years old and is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath is located close to hill station of Chopta. Tungnath is reached through a path that wends through alpine meadows & rhododendron thickets. Further, a steep trek from Tungnath Temple leads to Chandrashila, a mountain peak, known for its panoramic views.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/tungnath-temple-rudraprayag-legends.html

The Temple

Tungnath Temple is the highest Shiva Temple in the world and is the highest of the five Panch Kedar Temples. It is located on the Chandranath Parbat at an altitude of 3,460 m (11,352 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila. Tungnath is at the top of the ridge dividing the waters of the Mandakini River (raising from Kedarnath) from those of the Alaknanda River (raising above Badrinath). The Tungnath peak on this ridge is the source of three springs, which form the Akashkamini River.

The valley between Chopta and Tunganath temple has wooded hills with rich alpine meadows with rhododendron coppices and also agricultural fields. The rhododendrons, when they are in full bloom during March, display dazzling colours ranging from crimson to pink. A high-altitude botanical station of the Garhwal University is located here. Nearing the top of the temple, there is a forest rest house at Duggalbitha, just opposite to the Kedarnath range of hills.

The Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary, also called the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, set up in 1972 to preserve the endangered musk deer, which lies in the region, also has a musk deer breeding centre at Kharchula Kharak near Chopta. From the top of the Chandrashila peak, picturesque views of the Himalayan range comprising snow peaks of Nanda Devi, Panch Chuli, Banderpoonch, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba and Neelkanth on one side, and the Garhwal valley on the opposite side could be witnessed.

Chandrashila Peak:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/chandrashila-peak-tunganath-uttarakhand.html

Tungnath Opening & Closing Timings

Tungnath temple opens with the opening of Char Dhams of Uttarakhand, during April or May each year on Vaisakh Panchami and auspicious date is decided by Badri Kedar Temple Committee on Baisakhi. During the winter season, the temple is closed, and the symbolic image of the deity and the temple priests are moved to Makkumath, which is 19 Kms (12 mi) from here. It is near Duggalbitha 10 Kms (6 mi) before Chopta towards Ukhimath.

Priests

The priest at this temple is a local Brahmin from Ukhimath village, unlike the other Kedar temples where the priests are from South India, a tradition set by the eighth century Hindu seer Sankaracharya. It is also said that the Maithani Brahmins officiate as priests at this temple.

Climate

Climate of Tungnath is generally cool throughout the year. Summers are very pleasant with average temperature hovering around 16 degrees Celsius during the day time. Winters are very chilly, and temperature drops below the freezing point very frequently. Due to heavy snowfall, Tungnath temple remains closed for around 6 months during winter. The best season to visit Tunganath is from April to November.

Trekking & Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/tungnath-temple-rudraprayag-trekking-connectivity.html

Location

Chandrashila Peak, Tunganath, Uttarakhand

Chandrashila Peak, Tunganath, Uttarakhand

Chandrashila Peak is a mountain peak of Tunganath Mountain ranges in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Chandrashila is summit of the Tungnath. It literally means Moon Rock. It is located at a height of about 4,100 metres (13,500 ft) above sea level. Chandrashila Peak is one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots in the whole Garhwal region, and owing to its isolated location, it is one of the unspoiled spots in the region.

Legends

As per the legend, Lord Rama meditated here after defeating the demon-king Ravana. Another legend says that moon-god Chandra spent time here in penance.

The Peak

Chandrashila Peak is located at a height of about 4,100 metres (13,500 ft) above sea level. Chandrashila is a steep 1.5 Kms trek from Tungnath temple which is again a 4 Kms trek from Chopta. Chandrashila and Tungnath are covered with snow during the winters. This peak provides panoramic 360 degree views of the Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba peaks. A temple dedicated to goddess Ganga and Pancha Mugha Linga are situated atop Chandrashila Peak.

Trekking & Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2020/01/tungnath-temple-rudraprayag-trekking-connectivity.html

Location