Uttarakhand is one of the most pristine destinations of India. This hill state is famous for being the abode of some of the most supreme gods and goddesses. The entire region is dotted with a number of ancient temples which evoke a feeling of deep-seated spirituality in everyone.
Table of Content
19 Historical Temples of Uttarakhand
- Badrinath
- Baleshwar
- Chandi Devi
- Gangotri
- Hemkund Sahib
- Kalpeshwar
- Kedarnath
- Madhyamaheshwar
- Mansa Devi
- Neelkanth Mahadev
- Rudranath
- Surkanda Devi
- Tungnath
- Yamnotri
- Jageshwar
- Dwarahat
- Surya Temple
- Adibadri
- Baijnath
Badrinath
Badrinath is situated at a height a height of 3,133 m. Badrinath shrine is located in the Narnarayan range against the magnificent Neelkanth peak. The residing deity at the Badrinath temple is Shri Badrinathji (Shiva). The Badrinath temple stands in a beautiful valley on the bank of River Alaknanda.
The Badrinath temple traces its origins to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century) while the present temple was built by the Garhwal rulers. Below the Badrinath temple are the hot springs (Tapt Kund and Surya Kund) with waters at a temperature of 55°C. There are four other shrines (dedicated to Lord Vishnu) near to Badrinath shrine.
They are Yogadhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Bridha Badri and Adi Badri. Not far from the Badrinath temple is the beautiful valley of flowers and the Hemkund Lake. According to legends, Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, meditated on the banks of this Lake.
Baleshwar
The Baleshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiv (who is also known as Baleshwar). There are two other temples in the compound of Baleshwar, one dedicated to Ratneshwar and other to Champawati Durga.
Chandi Devi
Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar is dedicated to Goddess Chandi Devi. Chandi Devi Temple is highly respected by devotees as a Siddh Peetha which is a place of worship where desires get fulfilled.
Gangotri
Gangotri is an important pilgrim and tourist place. Gangotri is located at 3,048 m above sea level. The Gangotri glacier is the original source of river Ganga. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga and the sacred stone where King Bhagirath is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva. There is a natural Shivlinga submerged in the river (It is believed that Lord Shiva received the Ganges here).
Hemkund Sahib
Hemkund or Hemkunt is a pilgrimage site for Sikhs in Chamoli district. It is most known for a gurudwara, known as Sri Hemkunt Sahib Ji, associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is said that Guru Gobind Singh Ji meditated here in the 16th century.
Kalpeshwar
Kalpeshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiv. Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is situated at a height of 3,581 m. The Kedarnath shrine stone stands against the backdrop of the Kedarnath range. According to legends, the Pandavas came here to pray to Lord Shiva after great battle of Kurukshetra to atone for killing their own near and dear ones in the war. It is said that Lord Shiva kept eluding the Pandavas and sought refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.
On being pursued, he plunged into the ground, with his hump exposed on the earth. Legends has it that his arms surfaced at Tungnath, his face at Rudranath, belly at Madmaheshwar, his locks and head at Kalpeshwar. These spots where he reappeared form the Panch Kedar. The present Kedarnath temple is said to have been resurrected by Adi Guru Shankaracharya.
Kedarnath Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiv and is located at the top of the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand in India. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April to start of November. Here Lord Shiv is worshipped as Kedarnath, the ‘Lord of Kedar Khand’, the historical name of the region.
Madhyamaheshwar
Madhyamaheshwar or Madmaheshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiv, located in the Mansuna village of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. It is the fourth temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage.
Mansa Devi
Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Mansa in the holy city of Haridwar in the Uttarakhand state of India. The temple is known for being the holy abode of Mansa, a form of Shakti and is said to have emerged from the mind of the sage Kashyap.
Neelkanth Mahadev
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated toNeelkanth (Lord Shiv). The Temple is one of the most revered holy shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site.
Rudranath
Rudranath is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiv, located in the Garhwal Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand, India. It is the third temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage.
Surkanda Devi
Surkanda Devi is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in Tehri District.
Tungnath
Tungnath is the highest temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tunganath in the Chamoli district of Tehri Garhwal, in Uttarakhand, India. The Tungnath temple is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiv. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the visiting order of the Panch Kedars.
Yamnotri
Yamunotri is also an important pilgrim as well as tourist place. The shrine of Yamunotri is located at a height of about 3,235 m and is dedicated to the river Goddess, Yamuna. The main pilgrim place at Yamunotri is the temple of Goddess Yamuna. There are many hot water springs in the vicinity of the temple.
Jageshwar
The temple site of Jageshwar is situated in a deep and extremely cold valley about 35 km from Almora. Jageshwara temple is the prominent temple here and also gives its name to the site it stands towards the east of the enclosure.
It consists of the sanctum chamber, having a curvilinear spire and mandapa of pyramidal type. The sanctum is triratha on plan. The central faces are provided with the perforated window screens. The sikhara has six bhumis.
The crowning members are concealed under a canopy in accordance with the style of theregion. The temple is dedicated to Yogisvara Siva, and worshipped in the form of a linga. Stylistically the temple is datable to eighth century AD.
Dwarahat
Monuments, Dwarahat, Almora: Dwarahat is about 43 km far from Almora. It was the capital of the Katyuri Kings. There are groups of 7 temples viz. Maniyan Group of temples, Kacheri Group of temples, Gujar De Temple, Bandeo Temple, Ratandeo shrines, Mritunjaya Group of temples and Badri Nath Group of temples. These seven groups of temples date from 10th to 13th centuries AD.
Surya Temple
This imposing surya temple katarmal structure is located on a lofty hill on the right bank of the river Kosi and about 18 km from Almora. The temple is locally known as “Bara Adit” or the great sun god. The main temple is surrounded by a paved enclosure measuring about 48.75 m by 30.48 m. There are 14 subsidiary shrines around the main temple.
The main shrine faces east and consists of a garbhagriha and mandapa. The sanctum has a curvilinear elevation while the mandapa is covered with a gabled roof and is a later addition. The entrance of the sanctum chamber was provided with beautifully carved wooden door leaves which have been shifted to the National Museum, New Delhi for better preservation. Stylistically the temple can be dated from 12th
Adibadri
Adibadri, a halting-place between Lohba and Karnaprayag is situated in Patti Sili Chandpur and lies about 17 km away from Karnprayag. A group of 16 temples are noted at Adibadri, which are small to very small in size. The chief temple consists of agarbhagriha, surmounted by a pyramidal roof with a raised platform at the front.
Baijnath
Lying in the Katyuri valley, 19 KMs away from Kausani and 26 kms from Bageshwar, is the small but ancient town of Baijnath. It was once upon a time the capital of the Katyuri dynasty of kings and the place was then called Kartikyapura. In Kumaun socio cultural region, Baijnath is one among remote antiquity and of historical importance.
The remnants of those glorious days lie at the bank of the Gomti River in the form of a group of temples. The temple is famous for its ancient and magnificent stone idol of the Hindu goddess Parvati. Around 8 KMs from Baijnath on the Gwaldam road is lies the famous Kotkimai temple. One can also visit Pandusthal which lies nearby.