Budha Kedar Temple in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Budha Kedar is known as the Fifth Teerth of Uttarakhand. Located in Tehri Uttarakhand, Budha Kedar is dedicated to Lord Shiva who appeared here as an old man.
Gopinath Temple in Chamoli, Uttarakhand
Gopinath Temples is located in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is rooted in the unique tale of Kamdeva facing Lord Shiva’s wrath.
Gopinath Temple in Chamoli, Uttarakhand
Gopinath Temples is located in the heart of Gopeshwar town in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is rooted in the unique tale of Kamdeva facing Lord Shiva’s wrath.
According to ancient lore, after the tragic self-immolation of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva retreated into deep meditation at Gopinath. He spent years in solitude, mourning the loss of his beloved wife and detaching from worldly affairs.
Meanwhile, the demon Tarakasura had been terrorizing the three worlds. He had a boon that made him invincible, except for the child of Lord Shiva, who could defeat him. To solve this, the gods approached Brahma, who advised that only the son of Shiva could bring an end to Tarakasura’s reign of terror.
However, to have a son, Shiva had to be awakened from his long meditation. Kamdev, the god of love, was tasked with shooting an arrow to disrupt Shiva’s penance and reignite his desire for family life. When Kamdev fired his arrow of love at Shiva, it broke his meditation. Enraged at this disturbance, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and instantly burnt Kamdev to ashes.
It is believed that the Trishul (trident) outside the Gopinath Temple marks the exact spot where Lord Shiva stood when he threw his trident in anger at Kamdev. This trident remains firmly grounded outside the temple, a symbol of Shiva's power and fury.
Unique Features of Gopinath Temple
The most distinctive feature of the Gopinath Temple is the Trishul (trident), believed to be over 5 meters tall. The trident’s presence is a significant draw for pilgrims, as it is said to be immovable and rooted in the earth since the time Shiva threw it at Kamdev.
Additionally, the temple is closely associated with Rudranath, one of the Panch Kedars. Every year, for six months, the deity of Rudranath Bhagwan is brought to Gopinath Temple for worship during the winter months when the Rudranath temple becomes inaccessible due to snow.
How to Reach Gopinath Temple
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 220 km from Gopeshwar.
By Train: The closest railway station is Rishikesh, about 202 km from Gopeshwar. From Rishikesh, taxis and buses are available to take you to the temple.
By Road: Gopeshwar is well connected by road to major cities like Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Haridwar. Buses and taxis can be hired from any of these cities to reach Gopeshwar.
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