Temples in Uttarankhand

Uttaranchali Folk Gods...

2008-09-16T11:04:00.002+05:30

Till my college years I have been in Uttarakhand and visited lot of places on various ocassions. Religion is in blood of uttaranchalis as they are in Devbhoomi. They worship different gods, trying to gather information on them and some of them are listed below..
Khetrapal
Narsingh
Sidhwa
Vidhwa
Vandev
Jakh
Naag
Aidi
Aanchari
Bhumyal
Bhairon
Chandi Maata
I will keep adding more as and when I will have more information. Request the Uttaranchali visitors to provide information/tales/stories on these if they know any.

Golu Devta Temple in Kumaon near Nainital

2008-09-01T22:31:00.004+05:30

Golu Devta Temple is near Nainital and is one of most visited temple in Kumaon. Most of the tourist who visit Nainital try to visit this temple while returning from Nainital.
This is said Golu Devta is incarnation of Lord Shita (Gaur Bhairav) and is worshiped all over the Kumaon.
There are a lot of stories (Tales) about Golu Devta and couple of them are already published on Wikipedia and other websites.
I have been there recently and I must say these temples make you think of God in real sense, where you see nature and you believe that at some point of time the Gods must been living on these hills. You can see lots of bells offered by the devotees after their wishes are fullfilled after visiting the temples.
There are couple of other temples spread all over kumaon and most famous among them are in Champwat, Chitai and Ghorakhal.

Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand

2008-05-28T14:30:00.001+05:30

Deoprayag
Deoprayag is regarded as the most complete showcase of legends, heritage & traditions. 70 km from Rishikesh , here the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh & the Alaknanda from Satopanth unite and for most Indians, this confluence is no less holy than the Sangam at Allahabad. These three rivers flowing majestically through sculptured channels carved through the rocks have carved angular blocks of land around the confluence & the town is set into these three angles. Located at a height of only 618 m, Deoprayag is an invocation to the gods who have gfenerously endowed this spot with tremendous natural beauty. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dashratha did penance here. The temple of Raghunathji houses a tall image of Lord Rama made of black granite. The most celebrated event at Deoprayag is the congregation of devotees, who come here to worship at Raghunath temple. There is also a small temple popular as Bharat Mandir of Rishikesh in recluse. It is said that on fearing attack by Aurangzeb the pujaris from Rishikesh installed the same idol at Deoprayag as makeshift arrangement & later took it back to Rishikesh.
Srinagar the ancient capital of Tehri Garhwal is at a distance of 35 km from here.

Rudraprayag
Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar. It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, the sage Narad worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra incarnation to bless the sage. It was here, also, that Shivas wife, Sati, was reborn after her self immolation because her father humiliated her husband. In her new life, as the daughter of Himalaya, she did penance here to ask the boon of Shiva as a husband once again. The ancient temple of Rudranathji is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Rudraprayag is the point where the two roads branch off to the holy Shrines of Kedarnath (84 km) & Badrinath (159 km).
The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty, places of religions importance, lakes 8c glaciers.

Karna Prayag
Situated 11 km from Gauchar, the icy flow from the Pindari Glacier becomes the Pindari river, and when it meets the Alaknanda at 788 m, the confluence is known as Karnaprayag. The wooded thickets of the hills surrounding Karnaprayag were the meeting ground for Shakuntala C Raja Dushyanta, immortalised in Kalidasa’s immortal classic and a favourite ballad ever since. The place derives its name from Kama, the son of the Queen Kunti and her fiery lover, Lord Surya (sun), Kama’s lineage was kept a secret, but he propitiated the Sun God here, and acquired a pair of earrings & armour that made him invincible. Ultimately, he fell in the battle between the Pandavas & Kauravas, but remains a tragic hero for in life he never had the legitimacy he desired. Besides the temple dedicated to Kama, the temple dedicated to Goddess Umadevi, Narayan & Gopal stand at the confluence.
69 km from Gwaldam, Karnaprayag is on the main Rishikesh Badrinath highway. From here, the road to SriKedarnath (115 km) goes through Rudraprayag & the road to Sri Badrinath (128 km) through Joshimath.
Karnaprayag is the base for treks to Roopkund and the Bedni Bugyals and the approach to the Pindari Glacier.

Nandprayag
22 km from Kama Prayag, Nand Prayag at 914 m forms the confluence of the Alaknanda & Mandakini (flowing from a glacier near Nanda Devi Peak) rivers. On their way to Tapovan across Kunwari Pass or on their way to Roopkund, it is popular with trekkers. It is said that the confluence is named for the pious Raja Nanda. According to one legend, the king had been promised the boon of Vishnu as a son. Unfortunately, the same boon had been granted to Devki, the imprisoned sister of the tyrant king, Kansa. Ultimately, the gods found an ingenuous if wily solution: Vishnu would be born as Krishna to Devki but would be brought up by Raja Nandas wife, Yasodha.

Vishnuprayag
Hormed by the confluence of the impetuous Vishnu Ganga (known after this point, as the Alaknanda) and the Dhauliganga river, Vishnu Prayag, 1372m, has an ancient temple called Vishnu Kund. It is said that the sage Narad worshipped Vishnu at this sanctified spot. Visitors will find the Kagbhusandi Lake bewitching with its emerald green depths giving it a still surface, while on the banks, blossoms evoke the colours of nature in all her glory. The lake can also be approached from Vishnuprayag beside from Bhundhar village near Ghangaria.

This content was published on http://www.all-indiatravel.com/panch-prayag/index.html . Thank you for the website owner.

Trekking to Hidimba temple

2008-05-25T14:05:00.003+05:30

I have been to Hidimba temple some 3 years back, this was one of the best trips I had.

Its at the top of a hill, approximately 4 KMs from Saat Taal Camp. Saat Taal is a place near Bhimtal (approx 24 KMs), having 7 lakes in its surroundings and thats why this is called Saat Taal.

At starting its a bit difficult to think of climbing 4 KMs, but when you start than this doesnt make you feel tiring because of the fresh air in the jungle and beautiful surrounding. When you reach to temple all of your tireness just vanishes.

Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand

2008-04-22T10:57:00.010+05:30

Route to Panch Kedar, Panch Badri and Panch Prayag.

Uttarakhand is famous for its pilgrimage. Every place is a Teerth Sacred Place).

Panch Badri - Five temples of Lord Vishnu
Badrinath
YogdhyanBadri
Bhavishya Badri
Vridha Badri
Adi Badri

Panch Kedar - Five temples of Lord Shiva
Kedarnath
Madhmaheshwar
Tungnath
Rudranath
Kalpanath

Panch Prayag - Five convluences of River Ganga.
Vishnuprayag
Nandprayag
Karnaprayag
Rudraprayag
Devprayag

TungNath-Arms of Shiva

2008-04-09T14:10:00.002+05:30

Tungnath is situated 13072 ft by the sea level. This temple is the highest Shiva temple of Uttaranchal. This pilgrim place is attractive tourist place. Although this place is on high altitude but it is early and easily accessible, any one can reach here; age and health is not a big hurdle. There is a legend behind this temple is that after Mahabharata battle Pandavas were searching Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of killing their brothers but lord Shiva didn’t want to meet them. Once Pandavas reach Kedarnath in search of Lord Shiva by seeing them lord Shiva Incarnated himself as bull, but Bhima recognized him and tried to catch him but Shiva refuge himself underground and later his body parts appeared in different places. Head to Pashupatinath, hump to Kedarnath, Arms to Tungnath, face to Rudranath and hair lock to Kalpnath. ungnath trek route is approximately 4km start from
Chopta (Gopeshwar-Ukhimath road).This trek route is occupied with dense forest. Tungnath is 50 feet high Ancient temple.There is Shiva's ling which is 1 feet tall and slightly bent to the North known as arm of Shiva. Along with Lingam there is idol of Veda Vyas, Adishankracharya and Kal bhairav.when we straight climb about one and half km far from the temple there is hill top called Chandrashila this is known as meditation place of Chandra (moon).Beside to Tungnath there is a mount which is smaller than this is called Ravan Shilla, it is believed that Ravana devouted here. Tourist while climbing pile up the small stone in shape of small temple to regard their ancestors. From here one can see Wide range of the Himalayas.Chaukhamba(25000 foot)look near and touchable.There is proper facility for accomodation in chopta and Tungnath.G.M. V. N. has made some small lodges which looks realy beautiful.tourist who visit here go with sweet memories.

Uttaranchali Gods

2008-04-06T21:07:00.004+05:30

Till my college years I have been in Uttarakhand and visited lot of places on various ocassions. Religion is in blood of uttaranchalis as they are in Devbhoomi. They worship different gods, trying to gather information on them and some of them are listed below..

Khetrapal

Narsingh

Sidhwa

Vidhwa

Vandev

Jakh

Naag

Aidi

Aanchari

Bhumyal

Bhairon

Chandi Maata
I will keep adding more as and when I will have more information. Request the Uttaranchali visitors to provide information/tales/stories on these if they know any.

Rudranath-Face of Shiva

2008-04-05T22:25:00.001+05:30

Among the five Panchkedar Rudranath is the fourth Shrine. First shrine is Kedarnath (11,785 ft), second Madmaheshwar (11,474ft), third is Tungnath (12,074), fourth is Rudranath, and the fifth one is Kalpnath (6000ft).These places associated with many myths and have their own story. There is a legend that in these places different body parts of the Lord Shiva appeared. There are two routes for Rudranath one is from Joshimath which is 45 Km trek route, and other is from village Sagar. Sagar is a small Village, 4km from Gopeshwar; from where 20 km trek route leads to Rudranath (11670ft). Starting 10 km is adventurous. Thick woods full of flora and founa, river, lakes, streams and orchid are attractive. After 10km woods change into meadows and it look like green sheet with full of flowers. There are hundred of flower varieties which you could not see to other place. These flowers blooms in the month of May June and shed in the month October. This beautiful place is known as Panar (10000ft). After 10 km passing by Narad Kund and dharmshalas, one reach to temple Rudranath. Here is the oldest stone statue of Lord Shiva, in which he is sitting with a tilt neck. No one can define the beauty of Rudranath. Near the temple there is a River Vaitarn i-The 'Water of Salvation' and also number of holy kunds Name Suryakunda, Chandrakund, and Tarakund etc. From here magnificent view of Hathi parvat, Nandadevi, Trishul and others is visible. There is a small lodge on the way of temple. Tourist can stay, there or they have to arrange tents for accommodation and eatables by themselves. Heavy woolen clothes, Sleeping bag, Torch, medicines are the things one must have. September and October are the best season to travel here.

2008-04-05T08:00:00.001+05:30

Recently I have been to Ruch (Ruchh) with my family. This was one of the best trips I had during my visits to various temples in Garhwal region. Ruchh is approximately 5 Kilometers from Kaalimath and Kaalimath is approximately 7 Kms from Guptakashi. Frequent shared Jeeps/Taxis are available on this route. Once you reach Kotma, you need to go down in the valley for 1 Kms.
Here is a temple of Maa kotimaheshwari and there is a rock which is symbolical of the god Mahadev right in the middle of the river. This is said to be only Linga in the world which is surrounded by water.
Here two rivers madhuganga and saraswati meet. you have to go down in the river water and walk on some stones to reach "ruch mahadev" linga.
Ruchh is not visited by too many visitors, only a few visitors visit this place.
There is a small Jharna nere by, where Parvati said to bath when she spent her childhood here.

Temples in Uttarakhand

2007-06-08T08:24:00.001+05:30

Address === Badrinath
State === Uttaranchal
Location === Near Joshimath
Altitude === 10279 M
Construction Year === 9 Cen AD
Costructed By === Adi Shankaracharya
Construction Type === Temple There are 15 idols in the temple complex, each sculpted in black stone
Building Type === Temple
Temple Managed By === Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti
Official Website === badrinath-kedarnath.org
Dedicated To === Lord Vishnu Religion Hindu
Importance === This is among the Char Dhams of Hindus founded by Adi Shankaracharya Famous For There is a myth that when the Holy Ganga was requested to come over to earth help anguish humanity, the earth was unable to bear the strength of it crash. Therefore the great Ganga was dived into twelve holy channels.Alaknanda was one of them which later become the seat of lord Vishnu or Badrinath.
Festival === Mata Murti Ka Mela,Badri Kedar Festival
Best Time === April-May
Opening Schedule === April to October
Accomodation === Tourist guest houses and lots of Dharamshalas are here for night stay.
Accesibility === Nearest airport and railway station is at Rishikesh which is approximately 300 KMs from this place.
Near By Cities === Joshimath
Other Places === Hemkund Sahib, Satopanth, Vasudhara

More information on other temples is available on www.badrikedar.com