Karnaprayag Uttarakhand 2026

Introduction

Karnaprayag, a holy town situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is part of the sacred Panch Prayags (which includes Nandaprayag, Vishnuprayag, Rudraprayag, Devprayag and Karnaprayag) and is renowned for its great spiritual significance. The town is situated at an altitude of 1,451 meters above sea level and surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks and lush valleys. Sangam of Alaknanda and Pindar is not just a sacred site, but it is also a key stop for the Do Dham yatra and Char Dham yatra circuits, as it embarks on these temple routes. The natural charm (surrounding beauty) and spiritual significance (connection with the Mahabharata and confluence of the sacred rivers) make it a perfect tourist destination for spiritual seekers and nature enthusiasts. In this guide, you will know complete details about Karnaprayag. 

Key Facts about Karanaprayag

• Location: Chamoli district of Uttarakhand

• Altitude: approx. 1,451 meters above sea level. 

• Highlights: The Sangam of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers and nearby temples

• Best time to visit: May-June and September-October

• Karnapayag Sangam Rivers Name: Alaknanda and Pindar

Karnaprayag History, Mythology & Spiritual Significance 

• Legends of Mahabharata: The significance of Karnaprayag is deeply associated with the epic Mahabharata and connects to Karna ( unsung warrior in Mahabharata), and the word “Karnaprayag” also derives from there.

• Legend of Karna’s penance:  According to the mythology, Karna paid deep penance to gain the attention of lord Surya to get his celestial armour called Kavach Kundal. 

• Cremation of Karna: Some other legends also state that lord krishna performed the cremation rituals of Karna at these sacred sites. 

• Spiritual significance: The site also holds great spiritual significance as the third confluence among the Panch Prayags. 

• The Sangam of the Rivers: The Sangam of the Alaknanda and Pindar Rivers symbolises the divine power of purity, making it a perfect spot for spiritual bathing for the pilgrims taking the Do Dham yatra package or Char Dham yatra package. 

• Home of many sacred temples: Beyond the confluence, Karnaprayag is the home to many temples in the town, such as the Uma Devi temple (dedicated to goddess Parvati) and Nauti Devi Temple. 

How to reach Karnaprayag: 

Karnaprayag is accessible by road, train, and air; you can choose any mode of travel according to your preferences. Here is the detailed overview on how to reach Karnaprayag.

• By road: By road has great connectivity to reach Karnaprayag, as it lies on the Kedarnath and Badrinath route. You need to travel to Haridwar / Rishikesh from your city to reach Karnaprayag by road. After that, you need to transfer to another transport. Daily buses and taxis are easily available from Haridwar/Rishikesh for Karnaprayag.

Road distance to Karnaprayag from major cities:

• Delhi to Karnaprayag: around 450 km, takes 15-16 hours.

• Dehradun to Karnaprayag: 235 km, takes 8 hours.

• Haridwar to Karnaprayag: 215 km, takes 6-7 hours.

• Rishikesh to Karnaprayag: 190 km, takes 5-6 hours.

• By Train: Haridwar and Rishikesh are the nearest railway stations to Karnarpayag, which are located at a distance of 192 kms and 167 kms respectively. You can take a train from your city to these cities. From there, you can hire a private taxi or bus to Karnaprayag, which is easily available from the railway stations.  

• By Air: The Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Karnaprayag, which is located at a distance of 183 kms, so you can fly from your city to Dehradun. From there, take a taxi or bus to reach Karnaprayag. 

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 Distances of nearby towns and sites from Karnaprayag:

Weather and Temperature Guide for Karnaprayag Sangam

Weather forecast by season

Summer Season (April to June): This is the most pleasant time of the year to visit the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers with cool weather and mild temperatures. 

• Temperature: 15°C to 30°C 

• Conditions: Days are warm and comfortable with crisp air, ideal for pilgrimage and adventure.

Monsoon season (July-August): Brings moderately heavy rainfall that leads to landslides, which makes paths slippery and travel risky. 

• Temperature: 18°C to 24°C 

• Conditions: Cloudy weather offers poor visibility of the views. Landslides and road blockages make travel risky at this time. 

Autumn Season (Sep-Oct): After the wet monsoon, the weather becomes pleasant again with comfortable weather. 

• Temperature: ranges between 12°C and 24 c.

• Conditions: the landscape becomes lush green; the skies are clear with excellent visibility, which makes it the perfect time for sightseeing and exploration.

Winter season (Nov-Mar): winters are cold and extremely harsh, not only in Karnaprayag but also in Uttarakhand. The temperature drops to sub-zero temperatures sometimes, and it experiences moderate snowfall during January and February. 

• Temperature: ranges from 5°C to 10°C

• Conditions: harsh and cool, experience moderate snowfall in the high regions, and offer serene environments. 

Best time to visit Karnaprayag

Since Karnaprayag Uttarakhand, is accessible throughout the year, the ideal time to explore its true charm is during the summer and Autumn seasons.

• Ideal months to visit: May-June and September-October are considered the most ideal times of the year to visit, as these periods offer cool and comfortable weather with mild temperature ranges and excellent visibility and accessibility of the surroundings. This is the perfect time for spiritual tours and other outdoor activities. 

• Months to Avoid: The monsoon season from July to August is considered the most avoidable time due to the heavy rainfall. Cloudy mountains offer poor visibility, and the risk of landslides, thunderstorms, and roadblocakeg makes travel risky, so avoid it. 

Top Attractions and Places to Visit Around Karanaprayag:

Inside the town—

• Karna Temple: A sacred temple dedicated to the unsung warrior Karna, who meditated at this sacred spot to gain the attention of Lord Surya. It is located near the confluence. 

• Uma Devi Temple: Another divine temple dedicated to Devi Uma (wife

•  of Lord Shiva) inside the town, where she was reborn as Parvati. 

• The confluences of the rivers: One of the prime features of Karnaprayag is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers, which offers an opportunity for spiritual bathing and also offers scenic views to enjoy.

Near the town—

• Panch Prayag sangams: Beyond the Karanprayag confluence, you can also combine your journey with all five sacred confluences, including Vishnuprayag (Alaknanda meets Dhaaukinganga), located near Joshimath; Nandaraprayag (the second confluence of Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers) near Chamoli district; Rudraprarayag (confluence of Alaknanda and Madakini Rivers) located 33 km beyond Karnaprayag; and the last and significant confluence of the Alakananda and Bhagirathi rivers, which forms the Ganga River, situated in Tehri Gahrwal district 

• Adi Badri Temple: a complex of 16 ancient temples, part of the Sapta Badri pilgrimage circuits, and located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand near Karnaprayag. The distance to cover to reach Adi Badri from Karnaprayag is approximately 17 km, which can be covered by a short drive or a shuttle walk. 

• Vridh Badri Temple: another sacred temple of lord vishnu is Vridh Badri Temple, part of the Panch Badri and Sapt Badri temples, located in the Animath village (a few km away from Joshimath) of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. The temple holds great significance in Hinduism; it is believed that sage Narad Muni performed penance here to gain the affection of Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vishnu appeared himself as an old man, which gives the temple its name.

• Chopta-Tungnath Trek: A picturesque trekking destination Chopta Tungnath trek is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The trek starts from Chopta bugyal and leads to Tungnath Temple (World’s highest Shiva temple) and Chandrashilla peaks with Chopta to Tungnath distance of just 3.5 kms, which offer 360-degree views of Mt. Nanda Khundi and Chaukhamba.

• Mana village: A picturesque village located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, 3 km away from the Badrinath temple, is the Mana Village. The village is surrounded by majestic Himalayan peaks and is known as the first village of India, holding great spiritual and natural significance. The Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bheema pul, and Saraswati river are key attractions of the village, and it is accessible by a short road drive or shuttle walk from Badrinath. It is also marked as the starting point of trek to Vasudhara fall which is well known as the mysterious waterfall of India. 

• Vasudhara Falls: A celestial water body about 400 feet, renowned for its stunning Himalayan setting, significance, and natural beauty. It is believed that the water of Vasudhara falls only on virtuous people (kind and pure-hearted persons). The place is accessible by a 6 km trek from Mana village, which is considered moderately difficult due to steep paths. 

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Accommodation Food Options in Karnaprayag:

• Accommodation options: Karnaprayag offers a wide range of accommodations, including budget-friendly hotels, homestays, GMVN guesthouses, and premium hotels. Some suggested options of Karnaprayag hotels are—

Note: The prices of the hotel may be subject to change, so it's advisable to ask locally to find the current prices of the hotels and services. You can also check the prices of the hotels on travel websites, such as TripAdvisor, Hotelbooking, and MakeMyTrip.

• Food options: There are many restaurants and local eateries on the Karnaprayag road, which provide local Pahadi dishes with guest praise. Some of the best restaurants and dhabas are New Khalsa restaurant, Apna Dhaba, Brothers Dhaba, and Manchaan, which offers Chinese cuisine. 

Short overview of Panch Prayags from upstream to downstream

Char Dham Temples Distance Chart from Karnaprayag

Note: The travel time to Char Dham temples from Karnaprayag can vary due to the road conditions and traffic, so be prepared for any delays or sudden changes.

Travel tips for Karnaprayag visitors: 

• Pack warm clothes:  Warm layers are key to travelling in the mountains, even in summer, so pack fleece jackets, sweaters, socks, and other accessories. 

• Check weather updates & road conditions: Weather in the mountains changes quickly, like the mood swings, which also affect the accessibility, so be aware of the weather forecast and check the road conditions before travelling.

• Respect the environment and local tradition: Don’t throw waste on the route, and dress modestly while visiting the temple. 

• Stay hydrated: Hydration is an important consideration, so drink plenty of water throughout your journey to reduce the risk of dehydration.

• Stay Connected: Due to the poor availability of the network connection, using Jio and BSNL SIM cards has better connections in the mountain areas to connect with your family. 

• Avoid in monsoon months: During the monsoon, the entire Uttarakhand experiences moderately heavy rainfall that leads to landslides and road blockage, and offers poor visibility of the views, making it an avoidable time to travel.

FAQs

1. What is Karnaprayag famous for?

Karnaprayag, the holy confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Pindar, a spiritual town, is famous for its stunning Himalayan setting, such as lush valleys and majestic peaks, and great spiritual significance and legends of the Mahabharata. The site also serves as the home to many temples and a gateway to the pilgrimage circuits.

How to reach Karnaprayag from Rishikesh or Delhi?

If you are a Delhi traveller and plan to visit Karnaorayag, you need to travel to Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun by air, train, or road. From these cities, you can take a local bus or a private taxi to reach Karnaprayag. 

Which rivers meet at Karnaprayag sangam?

Karnaprayag sangam river name Alaknanda and Pindar rivers. Alaknanda flows from the left side, and Pindar joins Alaknanda at this sacred site. 

3. What is the distance to Kedarnath and Badrinath from Karnaprayag?

The road distance to the Kedarnath base camp, Gaurikund, from Karnaprayag is around 105 km, which takes 3-4 hours, and the trek distance to the Kedarnath temple from Gaurikund is 16 km, which takes 6-8 hours to complete. And the distance from Karnaprayag to Badrinath is approximately 119 km, taking 4 hours.

4. When is the best time to visit Karnaprayag?

 Since the town is accessible all year round, May-June and September-October are considered the best times to visit Karnaparayag, as these periods offer pleasant weather with mild temperature ranges, clear skies, and clear views, which make it a perfect time for sightseeing and exploration. 

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