TEMPLES OF UTTARAKHAND
CHAR DHAM TEMPLES
Badrinath Temple
One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Most important of the Char Dhams.
Location: Chamoli district, at an altitude of 3,300 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, on the banks of Alaknanda River.
History:
- Believed to be established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century
- Ancient site mentioned in scriptures; deity is said to be self-manifested
- The black stone idol of Badrinath (Vishnu) is 3.3 feet tall
- Temple has been renovated multiple times due to avalanches and weather damage
Unique Features:
- Tapt Kund (hot springs) where pilgrims bathe before darshan
- 15 idols in the temple including Nara-Narayan, Urvashi, and Nav Durga
- Colorful facade with Buddhist architectural influence
- Brahma Kapal, a flat platform for conducting rituals for deceased ancestors
- Gateway to Swargarohini, believed to be the path to heaven
- Only Hindu temple with Buddha’s idol inside the complex
Temple Timings: Opens in April/May (Akshaya Tritiya), closes in November (Vijayadashami) Winter Seat: Deity moved to Joshimath during winter closure
Kedarnath Temple
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and most sacred among the Panch Kedar temples.
Location: Rudraprayag district, at 3,583 meters altitude, near Mandakini River source.
History:
- Built by Adi Shankaracharya over 1000 years ago
- Legend says the temple was built by Pandavas seeking Lord Shiva’s forgiveness
- Survived the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods; a massive rock protected the temple
- Ancient stone structure standing testament to time
Unique Features:
- Triangular-shaped Shiva linga (hump of bull – representing Nandi)
- Stone structure built without using cementing agent
- Surrounded by snow-covered peaks including Kedarnath peak
- Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya located behind the temple
- Panch Kedar circuit starts here
- Trek of 16 km from Gaurikund to reach the temple
Temple Timings: Opens in April/May, closes in November Winter Seat: Deity moved to Ukhimath during winter
Gangotri Temple
Source of river Ganga (Bhagirathi), one of the Char Dham sites.
Location: Uttarkashi district, at 3,100 meters altitude, on Bhagirathi River banks.
History:
- Current structure built by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in early 18th century
- Site where Ganga descended from heaven, brought by King Bhagirath’s penance
- Original temple submerged; present structure built by a Nepali general
Unique Features:
- Shivling submerged in river known as Bhagirathi Shila, where Ganga touched earth
- 18-foot high idol of Goddess Ganga in the temple
- Surrounded by glaciers and peaks
- Gaumukh glacier (actual source) is 19 km trek from Gangotri
- Natural rock Shivling in the river
Temple Timings: Opens in May (Akshaya Tritiya), closes in November (Diwali) Winter Seat: Deity moved to Mukhba village
Yamunotri Temple
Source of river Yamuna, one of the Char Dham sites.
Location: Uttarkashi district, at 3,293 meters altitude.
History:
- Original temple destroyed by earthquake; reconstructed by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur in 19th century
- Site associated with sage Asit Muni’s ashram
- Represents Yamuna Devi, daughter of Sun God
Unique Features:
- Surya Kund – hot spring near temple where rice and potatoes are cooked as prasad
- Actual source, Yamunot Glacier, is a challenging trek from the temple
- Divya Shila – rock pillar worshipped before entering main temple
- Gauri Kund and Tapt Kund – other hot water springs
- Trek of 6 km from Hanumanchatti to reach temple
Temple Timings: Opens in May (Akshaya Tritiya), closes in November (Yama Dwitiya) Winter Seat: Deity moved to Kharsali village
OTHER MAJOR TEMPLES OF UTTARAKHAND
Tungnath Temple
Highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 meters; second in the Panch Kedar circuit.
Legend: Arms of Lord Shiva are worshipped here. Built by Pandavas.
Unique Features:
- World’s highest Shiva temple
- Trek of 3.5 km from Chopta
- Ancient stone architecture
- Further 1.5 km to Chandrashila peak offering panoramic Himalayan views
- Beautiful rhododendron forests along the trek
Best Time: April to November
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Sacred Shiva temple where Shiva consumed poison during Samudra Manthan (ocean churning).
Location: Near Rishikesh, at 1,675 meters altitude, at confluence of Pankaja and Madhumati rivers.
Legend: Shiva’s throat turned blue (Neelkanth) after consuming poison to save the universe.
Unique Features:
- Natural spring flows over Shivling year-round
- Dense forest surroundings
- 32 km from Rishikesh
- Peaceful and powerful spiritual atmosphere
- Popular trekking destination
Special Occasion: Massive gathering during Shravan month and Mahashivratri
Jageshwar Dham
Complex of 124 ancient stone temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas according to some beliefs.
Location: Almora district, Kumaon region, in a narrow valley of deodar trees.
History:
- Temples date from 9th to 13th century CE
- Important center of Lakulish Shaivism
- Architecture reflects Katyuri dynasty style
- Archaeological importance with inscriptions
Unique Features:
- Group of 124 temples – largest such complex
- Exquisite stone carvings
- Surrounded by sacred deodar forest
- Ancient Sanskrit inscriptions
- Main temple houses Jageshwar linga
- Museum displaying ancient sculptures
Cultural Importance: Annual Maha Shivratri fair and Jageshwar Monsoon Festival
Hemkund Sahib
- Sacred Sikh pilgrimage site at 4,632 meters altitude, making it one of the highest gurudwaras in the world.
- Location: Chamoli district, surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks and glacial lake.
- History:
- Site mentioned in Guru Gobind Singh’s autobiography where he meditated in a previous life
- Modern gurudwara built in 1960s by Sant Sohan Singh
Unique Features:
- Stunning glacial Hemkund Lake
- Star-shaped structure
- Seven peaks named after Sikh Gurus
- Adjacent Lakshman Temple (brother of Lord Rama meditated here)
- Sikh and Hindu pilgrimage site
- Valley of Flowers nearby
- Trek of 6 km from Ghangaria
Season: Opens June, closes October due to extreme weather
Naina Devi Temple
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas where Sati’s eyes (naina) fell. Located in Nainital.
History:
- Ancient temple rebuilt after 1880 landslide
- Central to Nainital’s founding and spiritual importance
Unique Features:
- Three forms of goddess: Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati
- Situated on northern shore of Naini Lake
- Beautiful views of the lake and surrounding hills
- Major festival during Naina Devi Mela (August-September)
Accessibility: Easy access via Nainital town