Panch Kedar: All About 5 Secrets Shiva Temples in Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, there are five important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Panch Kedar. These temples are Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpnath. They hold special significance in Hindu worship. Each temple has its own unique story of how it came to be.

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Kedarnath Temple:

Kedarnath Temple, situated in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, is a vital part of the Panch Kedar temples. Inside, there’s a conical-shaped Shiva lingam representing Shiva’s hump. Positioned at 3,584 meters, reaching the temple involves a trek of about 19 kilometers from Gaurikund, typically taking 6-7 hours.

To get there:

• By road: Reach Gaurikund, the base camp, and then trek or use local transport.
• By bus: Buses operate from major Uttarakhand cities to Sonprayag, from where you can proceed to Kedarnath. By train:
• From Rishikesh, take a bus or taxi to Gaurikund, then continue to Kedarnath by trekking or local transport.

Tungnath Temple:

Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness for their sins and journeyed to the Himalayas in search of Lord Shiva. The deity, attempting to evade them, appeared as different parts of a bull in various places, now known as Panch Kedar. The temple is believed to stand where the bull’s limbs emerged.

To reach Tungnath:

Trek around 3.5 kilometers (2-3 hours) from Chopta.

• By air: The nearest airport is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport. From Rishikesh or Haridwar, take a bus or taxi to Chopta.
• By train: The closest railway station is Rishikesh. From there, hire a taxi or take a bus to Chopta.
• By road: Drive from cities like Delhi or Dehradun. Regular bus services operate from Rishikesh or Haridwar to Chopta.

Rudranath Temple:

Rudranath, home to the Neelkanth Mahadev temple, is a natural rock temple situated at an altitude of 2,286 meters amidst alpine meadows and dense rhododendron forests. Lord Shiva is worshipped at this sacred site, believed to be where his face emerged from the ground. Surrounding the temple are holy pools known as Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, and Mana Kund. Several trekking routes lead to this temple, with many starting from Gopeshwar village.

To reach Rudranath:

• By road: Helang is the nearest town. From Helang, continue the journey by trekking to reach Rudranath.
• By train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. Hire a taxi from Rishikesh or take a bus to Helang, then trek to Rudranath.
• By air: From Jolly Grant airport, take a taxi or bus to Helang, then proceed to Rudranath by trekking.

It is at approximately 3,289 meters. Madhmaheshwar is believed to be the spot where the middle or navel part of Lord Shiva emerged. This temple sits in the picturesque Mansoona village of the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple is surrounded by stunning snow-covered peaks like Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, and Neelkantha. The trek to Madhmaheshwar begins from Uniana, around 18 km from Ukhimath. Accommodation options are available after trekking for 3 km at Ransi village, and then at Gaundhar village after an additional 6 km. The total trek distance is 19 km.

To get there:

• By road: Travel to Uniana, the starting point of the trek to the shrine.
• By train: The nearest railway station is Ukhimath. From there, proceed by road to Uniana and start the trek.
• By air: From Jolly Grant airport, travel by road to Uniana and begin the trek to Madhmaheshwar.

Kalpeshwar:

Kalpeshwar is the fifth and final temple in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit. Unlike the others, it remains open year-round and stands for Lord Shiva’s matted hair. The trail concludes at Kalpeshwar, with motorable roads connecting Sagar village to Helang, approximately 58 km away. From Helang, jeeps are available to Urgam, followed by a short trek of a couple of kilometres to reach the temple.

To get there:

• By train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, from where you can travel by road to reach Kalpeshwar.
• By road: Motorable roads connect Sagar village to Helang, and then jeeps to Urgam, followed by a short trek to Kalpeshwar.
• By air: Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is the closest, from where you can proceed by road to reach Kalpeshwar.

Significance

Hindu devotees hold the Panch Kedar temples in immense reverence, ranking them among India’s foremost pilgrimage destinations. These holy sites represent Lord Shiva’s divine manifestations following the Kurukshetra war. it is the the way for spiritual enlightenment and the cleansing of sins.

Beat Time

For an optimal journey, the period from May to October emerges as the prime window. During this interval, the climate is pleasant and the temple gates swing open for visitors. In contrast, the winter months encounter substantial snowfall, prompting the closure of the temples for safety reasons.

In Closing

Embedded within Hindu mythology, these temples offer an exclusive spiritual odyssey to devotees. Coupled with their tranquil ambience. The breathtaking natural vistas weave an irresistible allure for those pursuing both inner harmony and respite from the modern rat race. Brace yourself for a transformative experience as you venture to the Panch Kedar temples. Immersing in the venerable energy that echoes through these ancient sanctuaries.