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.
Rudranath Temple in Chamoli, Uttarakhand
Rudranath Temple is the fourth kedar of the Panch Kedar Temples. Located at 3,600 meters, it is the toughest Kedar and Lord Shiva's face is worshipped here.
The Story of Rudranath Temple
Located deep within the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, the Rudranath Temple is one of the most spiritually significant and remote shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage, Rudranath is the place where Lord Shiva's face is worshipped in his natural rock formation. Nestled at an altitude of 3,600 meters, this ancient temple offers a serene, mystical experience, surrounded by untouched nature and the majestic Himalayan peaks.
The origin of Rudranath is tied to the legend of the Mahabharata. After the great battle, the Pandavas, seeking forgiveness for the sins of war, pursued Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. However, Lord Shiva, displeased with the destruction caused by the war, evaded them by taking the form of a bull and hiding in the Kedarnath valley.
When Bheema, one of the Pandavas, recognized Lord Shiva, the bull's body parts emerged at different places. The face of Lord Shiva manifested at Rudranath, while other parts of his body appeared in the remaining Panch Kedar temples. This is why Rudranath is revered as the location where Lord Shiva’s divine face is worshipped.
How to Reach Rudranath Temple
Rudranath is known for being the most difficult to reach among the Panch Kedar temples. The journey to the temple is a challenging trek that takes devotees through pristine forests, alpine meadows, and rugged mountain terrain. The trek starts from Sagar village, near Gopeshwar, and covers approximately 20 kilometers of scenic, yet demanding, trails.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 258 kilometers from Sagar village. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take public transport to reach Gopeshwar, the base for the Rudranath trek.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, located approximately 241 kilometers from Sagar. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh to Gopeshwar.
By Road: Rudranath is accessible by road up to Sagar village, which is around 12 kilometers from Gopeshwar. From Sagar, the 20-kilometer trek to Rudranath begins.
Best Time to Visit Rudranath Temple
The Rudranath Temple is open for worship from May to October, as the region is covered in snow during the winter months. The deity is moved to Gopeshwar during the winter, where it is worshipped in Gopinath Temple until the temple reopens.
The best time to visit Rudranath Temple is from May to October when the weather is favorable for trekking, and the temple is open for worship. The monsoon season (July-August) brings heavy rains, which can make the trek difficult, so it is best to plan your visit either before or after the monsoon.
Panch Kedar Pilgrimage
Rudranath is part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage, a circuit of five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in different forms. The other four temples are Kedarnath (hump), Tungnath (arms), Madhyamaheshwar (navel), and Kalpeshwar (hair). Together, these temples form a powerful pilgrimage that is said to bestow moksha (liberation) upon those who complete it.
Many pilgrims visit Rudranath as part of the Panch Kedar Yatra, while others come seeking the tranquility and spiritual energy that this remote temple offers.
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