Explore The Top 7 Temples Of Uttarakhand

Introduction

Uttarakhand, the "Dev Bhoomi of India," is one of the most pious lands, which houses more than 1000 temples. Almost all the religions have their worship center in this state. In this blog, we are going to discuss the top 7 temples of Uttarakhand, which have great cultural and spiritual importance for Hindus in India. In this article, we are going to list some of the most powerful and some lesser-known temples of this area, which have a very strong aura. So, without wasting time, let's start our journey to the beautiful temples of Uttarakhand.

Kedarnath Temple:

One of the most famous temples of Uttarakhand is the Kedarnath temple . It is located at an altitude of 3583 meters above sea level, in the Garhwal Himalayas in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks on three sides, with a deep valley flowing from the side of the temple, a deep valley in the front adds to the beauty of this temple.

The exact construction date of this temple is yet unknown, but as per the holy scriptures, it is believed that it was constructed by the Pandavas after the war of Kurukshetra. Later on, this temple was reconstructed by Adi Guru Sankaracharya in the 8th century, and since then it has been renovated multiple times. This temple is very special, as it is part of the 12 Jyotirlinga of India and the Panch Kedar temples , in addition to a trip to Kedarnath and Badrinath temples , Kedarnath Yatra , and Char Dham Yatra . Every year, thousands of devotees take the trip to the Kedarnath temple to take the blessings of Lord Shiva and admire the beauty of this place.

Due to the high altitude and tough terrain, this temple remains closed for six months in a year and opens at the time of late April or early May and closes in late October or November. So if you are planning to visit this temple, then you need to plan during this time only.

Tungnath Temple

The second temple of the Panch Kedar circuit is the Tungnath temple (the other temples are Madhyamaheshwar temple , Kalpeshwar temple , and Rudranath temple ). This temple is also known as the highest Shiva temple on earth. It is located at an altitude of 3680 meters above sea level in the lap of the Himalaya in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. In this temple, the forelimbs of Lord Shiva in the form of Nandi are being worshipped as the Shivalinga. In addition to the pilgrimage, this place is also well known for the adventure, especially the trekking. The trek from Chopta to Tungnath temple is one of the most famous treks in India, perfect for both beginners and regular trekkers. Ahead of the Tungnath temple is Chandrashila, which is a crescent-shaped rock that is the summit of this trek. As per the legend, it is believed that Lord Rama had meditated here to get rid of the sin of Brahmahatya after killing the demon king Ravana.

This temple also remains open just for six months in a year, opening in the month of May and closing generally in the month of October. When the temple gets closed, the shivlinga is transferred to the nearby village named Makkumath, which acts as the winter abode of Lord Tungnath.

This is a short trek of just 3.5 km on one side and can be done throughout the year. So if you are planning to visit the temple with trekking, then you should book your package for Chopta to Tungnath temple any time between May and October, but if you are looking for a hardcore trekking experience in the Himalaya, then you should book your package in the months of November to April.

Badrinath Temple

Well known as the temple of Satyuga and being a part of the main Char Dham yatra and 4 Dham yatra of Uttarakhand, this temple is one of the most important temples of Uttarakhand. In addition to that, it is also an integral part of the Do Dham Yatra, which involves a visit to the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples.

Badrinath Temple is located at an altitude of 3133 meters above sea level on the bank of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This beautiful temple lies in the shadow of Neelkanth peak between Nar and Narayan mountains. It is believed that Lord Vishnu came here to meditate. During the Satyuga, he used to meet all the devotees personally, but in the Treta and Dwapar yugas, he used to meet only the saints of a certain level of attainment. But in the Kalyuga, it is believed that anyone who visits Badrinath will go to heaven and get rid of the cycle of birth and death. It is popular about the Badrinath temple that " जो जाए बद्री वो ना आए ओदी " which means all those who visit the Badrinath temple never get to the mother's womb again and get salvation. Like other temples of the Himalaya, this temple also remains open just for 6 months in a year. Generally opens in late April or early May and closes in late October or early November. So if you are planning to visit this temple, then you have to plan any time between May and October. Try to avoid the months of July or August, as during this time, this region experiences heavy rainfall, and it is not safe to travel in the mountains during this time. For more details, you can visit our page on the Do Dham Yatra package or call our customer care executive on 9311052232 for more details.

Dhari Devi temple

Another mesmerizing temple of Uttarakhand is the Dhari Devi temple , which is located in the midst of the Alaknanda River and is well known as the protector goddess of the Char Dham temples. It is popularly believed that the water of the river Alaknanda never dares to touch the temple, and hence floods remain in control in Uttarakhand. In this temple, the Maa Kali's upper body part is being worshipped, while the lower body part is being worshipped at the Kalimath temple .

This temple is a miraculous temple, and you will be stunned by knowing that the form of the idol changes with the passing time of a day. In the morning, the goddess will appear like a small kid; in the afternoon, she will appear as a young lady, but in the evening, she will appear as an old lady.

This temple is en route to Kedarnath Temple between Rudraprayag and Srinagar and is well connected with an all-weather road accessible throughout the year. You can visit this temple at any time of the year.

Triyuginarayan Temple

Do you know that Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati got married in Uttarakhand? Yes, you heard right, they got married in a small village near Kedarnath temple, now popularly known as Triyuginarayan temple . It got its name, as it has stood there for three yugas, i.e., Satyuga, Dwapar, and Treta, and tells the story of the first love marriage.

As per the holy scriptures, it is believed that this holy union is taking place here in the presence of Lord Brahma as the head priest, Lord Vishnu as the brother of Maa Parvati, and other deities as the witnesses of the first love marriage on earth. It is also known as the Akhand Dhuni temple , due to the perpetual fire that is burning in the compound of the temple, which is believed to be alive since the marriage of the deities.

Nowadays, people are getting married at this place, or even the newlywed couples visit this place to take the blessings of deities for their long married life and properties in their lives.

Gangotri Temple

Another beautiful temple made of white marble and dedicated to Maa Ganga, the holiest river of India, is the Gangotri temple . Located at an altitude of 3100 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, it is part of the Chota Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by dense forest, snow-capped mountain peaks, and the pristine water of the Bhagirathi River, this temple is not just a place of pilgrimage but a natural wonderland.

As per the holy scriptures, it is believed that this is the same place where Maa Ganga had descended from heaven when Lord Shiva had released her from her hairlock. This temple is believed to have been constructed by Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century and has been renovated multiple times by local kings and politicians.

Yamunotri Temple

Last but not least, another temple was constructed to personify the second most sacred river of India, i.e., the River Yamuna. Located at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The Yamunotri temple stands in the enchanting valley near the foot of Bandarpooch peak. It is believed that this temple was first constructed in the 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur and later on was renovated multiple times.

This temple serves as the first stop for the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand . Like other temples of Uttarakhand, this temple also remains open just for six months and closes in the month of October due to the extreme climate. After the closure of this temple, the idol of the goddess is being transferred to the nearby village named Kharsali, which serves as the winter seat of Maa Yamuna.

FAQs

Which is the famous temple of Uttarakhand?

The most famous temple of Uttarakhand is the Char Dham Temples , including Yamunotri , Gangotri , Kedarnath , and Badrinath . These four temples hold deep spiritual significance among the pilgrims. There are many other famous temples in Uttarakhand, such as Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Rudranath, Triyuginarayan, and more.

How many temples are there in Uttarakhand?

Uttarakhand consists of thousands of temples dedicated to different gods, along with many pilgrimage sites, like the Char Dham and Panch Kedar circuit, which is why Uttarakhand is often known as Dev Bhoomi, or the Land of Gods.

Which is the biggest temple in Uttarakhand?

The biggest temples in Uttarakhand are considered the Kedarnath , Badrinath , and Jageshwar Dham based on height, area, and complexity.

Kedarnath : One of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Badrinath : Part of the Major Char Dham
Jageshwar Dham Complex: Collection of a hundred ancient temples

Which are the five Shiva temples in Uttarakhand?

The five Shiva temples in Uttarakhand are known as the Panch Kedar Temples , which include Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple . Each temple represents a different part of Lord Shiva’s body.