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Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand
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Named after Lord Shiva, Rudraprayag is loacted at the confluence of the holy rivers Alaknanda and Mandakani. Till a few years ago, Rudraprayag was a part of district Chamoli and Tehri. Rudraprayag has a total area of 2,328 sq. km and is located at 610 mt above sea level. According to the Puranas the divine messenger Narada meditated here to appease Lord Shiva. Shiva appeared in his 'Rudra' form to bless him. It was where Sati the wife of Shiva was reborn after self immolation at her father;s place. The point in the town has a ancient temple of Rudranath ie Shiva. It is a picturesqe location abundant with natural beauty and peaks.
How to reach
By Air - The nearest airport is Jolly Grant at a distance of 158 kms.
By Rail - The nearest railhead is Rishikesh 138 kms away.
By Road - Nearest major town is Srinagar. Being at the crossroads of Kedarnath (84 kms) and Badrinath (160 kms), Rudraprayag is easily accessible by roads. All the important places of the Garhwal region are connected with the town through buses.
Delhi Rudraprayag Road drive
Highway - NH 58
Time - 7.2 hrs
Distance - 380 kms
What to see
Confluence of Mandakini & Alaknanda - Where the Alaknanda from Alkapuri and the Mandakini from Kedarnath, two of the most beautiful among the Himalayan rivers, meet the confluence is known as Rudraprayag. The mingling of the waters of the two rivers providing an unending delight to the visitors and this spectacular fascinating scene can be viewed from the special vantage point. The Naradshila can be approached by a long flight of stairs. On the way to the confluence there is a small temple dedicated to Jagadamba Devi (ie the Goddess of Power)
The temple of Rudranathji - Another ancient temple of Rudranathji where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the name of Rudranath. Legend has it that Sage Narada meditated here for several years. Lord Rudra as being pleased blessed him. Narada was given training in classical music by Lord Shiva and granted with the Veena hence he became a reposite of Classical Music.
Koteshwar Mahadev - The cave temple of Koteshwar Mahadev is just 3kms away from Rudraprayag on the banks of the Alaknanda river. There are many naturally formed Shivlingas in the cave on which water drops on this Lingas continously. During the months of August and September thousands of devotees come here to pay homage to the diety.
Excursions from Rudraprayag
Panch Kedar Trek
Panch Kedars are the five different forms of Lord Shiva, they are Kedarnath ate 3584 mt, Kalpeshwar 2134 mt. These five places are known as Panch Kedar. The mountain scape from each temple is profoundly fascinating and valleys full of rich flora and fauna.
Kedarnath temple
Situated at an altitude of 3584 mt and at the origin of river Mandakini, Kedarnath one of the twelve jyotirlings is amongst the holiest pilgrimage of Hindus. Doors of this holy temple gets closed at the approach of winters and reopen from the 1st week of May. This is the time when pilgrims flock here from all over India. The distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 14 kms of trek.
Gauri Kund
Situated at an altitude of 1982 mt, it is the last bus station on the Kedarnath route. Gaurikund is a hot water pond with an ancient temple dedicated to Godess Gauri. According to legend, Parvati meditated here for a long time to win Shiva as her consort. Ultimately she succeeded and the cosmic souple was wedded in Trijuginarayan near Gaurikund.
Guptakashi
A place of great religious importance. It;s called the Kashi of the hills. The ancient Vishwanath temple is at the centre of the town. The Ardhnarishwar temple is another important religious centre. Manikarnik Kund which is believed to be at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is at a distance of 3 kms. It is believed that after the battle of Mahabharata the Pandavas wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. But Lord Shiva evaded from Guptakashi to Kedarnath as he did not want to meet the Pandavas. Guptakashi is at a elevation of 1319 mt.
Ukhimath
Lord Shiva worshipped in the Onkareshwar temple here during the winter months. In Ukhimath there are temples which are dedicated to Usha, Aniruddha, Shiva, Parvathi and Mandhata.
Sonprayag
On the main Kedarnath route at the height of 1829 mt, its a holy confluence of Sone river and Mandakani in the Himalayas. According to Hindu belief a dip into the holy confluence of Soneprayag leads one to ultimtate salvation. Kedarnath is at a distance of 19 kms from Soanprayag , Triyuginarayan which is supposed to be the marriage place of Shiva and Parvathi is at a distance of 12 kms by a motorable road and 5kms on foot from here.
Triyuginarayan
This magnificient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu lies in the village of Triyuginarayan on the ancient bridle path that connects Gangotri to Shri Kedarnath Legend days that it is the place where Shiva got married to Parvathi in Satyug. The fire for the divine wedding was lit in the huge four cornered Havan Kund. Vishnu himself was the master of the ceremonies. Remnants of that celestial fire are believed to be burning in the Havan kund even today. Pilgrims who come here offer wood to this fire.
Agustyamuni
Situated on the bank of the river Mandakani at a height of 1,100 mt Agastyamuni is nearly 18 kms from Rudraprayag. Every year a large fair is held here to celebrate Baisakhi.
Chopta
Located at a height of 2900 mt above sea levelin a beautiful location it is the most beautiful view of the Grhwal region. It provides breath taking view of the magnificient Himalayan ranges like Chaukhamba, Kedarnath etc and sorrounding areas. The trek to the famous Tungnath temple starts here.
Tungnath
The highest point to have a temple of Lord Shiva, at a height of 3680 mt, and an important pilgrimage centre. The temple has a 2.5 ft tall idol of Shankaracharya is placed alongside the lingam. At Tungnath Lord Shiva's hands were supposedly seen. During winters priests move from this temple to Makkumath 19 kms away.
Chandrashila
Chandrashila just above Tungnath is the most accessible peak of the Uttarakhand Himalayas at an altitude of 4090 mt, especially since most of the other peaks are difficult to scale.
Syalsaur
A fairytale location 29 km from Rudraprayag is an upcoming result developed by GMVN.
Kartikey Swami
38 kms from Rudraprayag on the Rudraprayag-Pokhri route is a village Kanak Chauri from where a 3km trek to Karthikey Swami temple. This place has a temple with idol of Lord Shiva's son Karthikey situated at a elevation of 3048 mts.
Stay in Rudraprayag
Rudra Tourist Complex (GMVN) - 01364 233347
Hotel Balbir Palace - 01364 233038
Mohal Resort - 01364 233901 / 06
Sanghrilla Resort - 01364 233157
Birla Dharamshala - 01364 233327
Dharamshalas of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee - 01364 233230
Kali Kamali Dharamshala - 01364 233318
Budhi Kedar Mandir Samithi - 01364 233230
Pinaki Hill Resort - 0135-2436977
Hotel Pushdeep - 01364 233253
Hotel Suri - 01364 233316
Stay in Guptakashi
Tourist Rest House(GMVN) - 01364 26721
Kailash TouristLodge - 01364 26758
Mandakini TouristLodge - 01364 26736
Neelkamal Tourist Lodge - 01364 26737
Punjab and Sindh Awas - 01364 26730
Hotel ShubhamBasera - 01364 26733/26729
Sunil Tourist Lodge - 01364 26766
Uttarakhand - Devbhoomi
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Ideal time to Visit - Anytime round the year.
Avoid July and August being monsoons landslides may occur. Skiing in Uttaranchal generally takes place in the winter seasons specifically December to March. The monsoon season continues from July till September. You will get good weather during the October months and in April-May-mid June when it is Yatra time and a lot of rush.
The best time to visit Uttrakhand if it is a religious tour esp to Sri Badrinath,Kedarnath,gangotri & Yamnotri is in the last week of May to mid July before arrival of monsoon. This time the weather remains pleasant and the roads are in good condition. You may also plan the trip in October post monsoon but then the weather gets quite cold but u get plenty accomodation at a cheaper price.
Capital - Dehradun
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