Get Guptkashi Tour Travel Guide, Kartik Swami Trek Route, Trekking Tips.
Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi
Vishwanath Temple is located in the town Guptkashil, which is on the route to Kedarnath on a ridge on the west side of the Mandakini river valley at an elevation of 1,410 mts above sea level. The scenery of the temple is magnificent with the backdrop of Chaukhamba snowcapped high mountains. The centermost attraction of Guptkashi town, Manikarnika Kund is a place where two streams of the Ganga and Yamuna meet.
The Vishwanath Temple has very high significant mythology, in the history of Hindu religion. This is the place where Lord Shiva proposed Lady Parvati for marriage. The Vishwanath Temple is one of the architectural marvels of the region. The main sanctum of the Vishwanath Temple houses the androgynous form of Lord Shiva, the Ardhanarishwara, and his consort Lady Parvati. The idols if Kaal Bhairava and Nandi is also present in the temple.
In Vishwanath Temple complex a small pond called the Manikarnika Kund, in front of the temple gate, a Shiva-linga is bathed by two springs, representing the rivers Ganges and Yamuna. The Yamuna spring water goes out from a Gurmukh (nose in the shape of a cow’s mouth) and the Ganga spring flows through the trunk of an elephant strategically placed above the linga.
Gaurikund, the town from where the trek to Kedarnath commences is situated 34kms ahead of Guptkashi. Guptkashi is situated on the mountain facing Ukhimath town or Omkareshwar Temple.
Places to See |
Tour Packages |
Hotels |
How to Reach |
Taxi Hire |
Photos |
|---|
Legends and Beliefs Behind Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi
Popularly-narrated legend holds that subsequent to the Kurukshetra war of the epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas on the advice of god Krishna and other sages wished to atone for their sins of fratricide and Brāhmanahatya committed by them during the war by seeking pardon from Shiva and also pray for his blessings before attaining salvation. But Shiva was not willing to meet them since he was annoyed with them for the unjust events of the war. He, therefore, avoided meeting them at Kashi and went incognito as the bull Nandi to Guptakashi in Uttarakhand. So this place called Guptkashi.
But Pandavas pursued him to Guptakashi and recognized him in the disguised form of Nandi. When Bhima, the second Pandava brother tried to hold the bull by its tail and hind legs, Nandi vanished from Guptakashi, into the ground (into a cave for hiding), but reappeared later as Shiva in five different forms namely, hump at Kedarnath, face at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, navel, and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and the locks at Kalpeshwar. The vanishing act of Shiva gave the name Guptakashi (hidden Kashi) to this place on the bank of the Mandakini River. In the upper reaches of the Bhagirathi River, there is another Kashi, called the Uttarkashi
Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi Tourism
The Vishwanath Temple is located in the town of Gupatakashi in Rudraprayag district and is visited by many devotees all-round the year. The whole district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand is named because of the presence of the numerous temples of Lord Shiva or Lord Rudra there and among these the Vishwanath Temple is one of the prominent ones.
The Vishwanath Temple in Guptakashi has a stark visual similarity with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple of the holy city of Varanasi. This may be the reason for the similarity between the names of the two temples. Aside from this, the Vishwanath Temple is also part of the Rudra temple conglomerate of Rudraprayag that conjures up the temple chain of Panch Kedars and the Chota Kedarnath.
Get in touch with our Travel Expert
Hotel Near to Vishwanath Temple
What to See Nearby Guptkashi or Places to see around Vishwanath Temple
Vishwanath Temple: The main temple of Guptkashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vishwanath - "Lord of the Universe". It is built by regional stones and is situated in an enclosed courtyard. The small temple to its left is Ardhanarishvara.
Manikarnika Kund: It is a place where two streams of the Ganga and Yamuna meet. It is situated in the premises of Vishwanath Temple.
Ardhnarehswar : One of the popular temples in Guptkashi, the temple of Ardhnareshwar is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his half male and half female form is also known as Ardhnareshwar.
Chopta : A Scenic hill station of Uttarakhand .
Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath : The Omkareshwar Temple is the biggest and oldest temple of Uttarakhand. King Mandhata stood on one leg and worshipped Lord Shiva at this place for 12 years. Hence, wooed by his worship Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of Omkar. Hear pilgrimages can worship of lord shiva round the year.
Tungnath Temple: Tungnath Temple is Tritiya (third) Kedar among Panch (five) Kedars, where the arms of Shiva are worshiped. It is the world’s highest Shiva Temple (at the elevation of 3680 meters or 1274 feet), situated in Chopta, Rudraprayag District.
Triyuginarayan Temple : Triyuginarayan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The ancient temple is dedicated to god Vishnu. Its fame is credited to the legend of god Shiva’s marriage to goddess Parvati witnessed by Vishnu at this venue and is thus a popular pilgrimage center.
Deoriatal : Devariyatal is a fascinating lake located at the height of 2400mters from the sea level on The foothills of Himalaya in Rudraprayag District. One can reach here by 2.5km a steep gradient trek from Sari Village.
Sari Village : The Sari village located at an altitude of 2000mts in Ukhimath Block of Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state. The 3-km link road reaches you to the Sari Village from Tala, which is on the Ukhimath -Chopta road. Sari village is about to 20km before Chopta Hill Station. This Village is the base site for, who want to visit the beautiful Deoria Tal lake and one can reach Deoriyatal by 2.5km trek.
Highlights of Guptkashi
- TEMP : May to June - 35℃Max/Min : 20℃ & up to 2℃ in Jan & Feb.
- Best time to visit Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi :Throughout the year except the rainy season
- Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi Situated in: Guptkashi,Ukhimath,Rudraprayag.
- Recommended Stay : 1Night and 2 Days.
- Nearest Railways Station : Rishikesh (170km)/Haridwar(200km)
- Nearest Airport : (200km)Jolly Grant,Dehradun.
Places to See Near Guptkashi
How to Reach Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi?
By Flight: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Guptkashi situated at a distance of 180kms. Jolly Grant Airport is a domestic airport well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Guptkashi.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Guptkashi is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 168kms before Guptkashi on NH58. Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh to Guptkashi.
By Road: Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Guptkashi are easily available from all major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Srinagar, Chamoli, etc. Guptkashi lies on National Highway 109 which connects Rudraprayag with Kedarnath.
Temple & P laces near to Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi
Images of Vishwanath Temple Guptkashi
Guptkashi Food Guide
There are so many Restaurante in Guptkashi. Most of the restaurants serve North Indian as well as south Indian food during Char Dham season. One should not worry about the availability of good food at Guptkashi.
Choptatour is recognized by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Govt. of Uttarakhand.
Choptatour is recognized by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Govt. of Uttarakhand.