Uttarakhand is a state in Northern India that is known for its natural beauty. The Himalayas run through the state, and it is home to many Hindu temples. If you are visiting Uttarakhand, be sure to visit these top 10 temples. Each temple has its own unique history and religious significance.
1. Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites and is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 metres (11,755 feet) and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Temple is accessible only by foot or via helicopter and is open from April to November each year.
2. Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,133 metres (10,279 feet) and is one of the four major pilgrimage sites known as the Char Dhams. Badrinath Temple is open from April to November each year.
3. Gangotri Temple
Gangotri Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is located in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,048 metres (10,000 feet) and is one of the four major pilgrimage sites known as the Char Dhams. Gangotri Temple is open from May to October each year.
4. Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is located in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres (10,804 feet) and is one of the four major pilgrimage sites known as the Char Dhams. Yamunotri Temple opens for pilgrims from April to November each year
5. Haridwar Temples – Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, and Sapt Rishi Ashram
Haridwar, situated at the base of the Shivalik Hills in Uttarakhand, is one of the holiest cities in India. The city is home to many temples, including the Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, and Sapt Rishi Ashram temples. All three temples are located in close proximity to each other and are considered to be must-visit shrines for pilgrims.
The Chandi Devi temple is situated atop the Neel Parvat, 3 kilometers from Haridwar. The temple was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, the then King of Kerala. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, also known as Goddess Durga.
Legend has it that Chandi Devi killed the demon king Shumbh-Nishumbh at this very spot. The temple can be reached either by a cable car or a trekking trail.
The Maya Devi temple is one of the most ancient and revered shrines in Haridwar. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Maya, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. According to legend, it was at this temple that Lord Vishnu cut off the head of demon king Hiranyakashipu. The head is said to have fallen at a place now known as Hrishikesh, which is also considered to be a holy city.
The Sapt Rishi Ashram temple is located on the banks of the River Ganga. It is believed that the seven sages (or rishis) meditated at this place and attained enlightenment. The ashram is also considered to be the place where Sage Vyasa composed the Mahabharata. Today, the temple is a popular destination for pilgrims who come here to offer their prayers and take a dip in the holy river.
6. Rishikesh Temples – Lakshman Jhula and Parmarth Niketan
Situated at the edge of the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh is a small town in Uttarakhand, India that is renowned for its temples and Ashrams. Located just a few kilometers from the holy city of Haridwar, Rishikesh is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas”. The town is home to two main temples – Lakshman Jhula and Parmarth Niketan – which attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year.
Lakshman Jhula is a suspension bridge that was built in 1939 and spans the River Ganges. The bridge is named after Lakshman – the brother of Lord Ram – who is said to have crossed the river on a jute rope. Today, Lakshman Jhula is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rishikesh and is often crowded with people.
Parmarth Niketan is one of the largest and most well-known Ashrams in Rishikesh. Founded by Swami Parmarthanandji in 1942, the Ashram provides a place for pilgrims to stay and learn about Hinduism and yoga. The Ashram also has its own temple, which is visited by many pilgrims each day. Parmarth Niketan is one of the most popular destinations for spiritual seekers in Rishikesh.
Travelers can reach Rishikesh by taking a train from Delhi or by flying into Dehradun Airport, which is located about 45 kilometers from the town. There are also several buses that operate between Rishikesh and major cities such as Delhi, Haridwar, and Mussoorie. When visiting Rishikesh, be sure to pack comfortable clothes and shoes as well as mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Travelers should also budget for food and accommodation as there are many options available to suit all budgets.
7. Char Dham Temples
The Char Dham Temples are a group of four temples located in the Indian Himalayas. The temples are dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and are some of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Each of the four temples is located in a different direction, and pilgrims typically visit all four temples as part of a sacred journey.
The Char Dham Temples are situated at high altitudes, and the journey to reach them can be challenging. However, the rewards for completing the pilgrimage are said to be great, and many Hindus believe that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Char Dham Temples are an important part of Hindu religious tradition, and they continue to attract pilgrims from all over India and beyond.
8. Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara
Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is one of the most important religious sites for Sikhs. It is located in the Himalayan mountains at an altitude of 4,632 meters. The name “Hemkund” means “lake of ice” and refers to the pristine lake that lies next to the Gurudwara. Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara was built in 1581 by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Sikhs make the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara to pay their respects. The Gurudwara is surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks, which represent the seven Sikh Gurus. The Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a truly beautiful and spiritual place.
9. Jogeshwar Temple
Jageshwar Dham is a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. The complex consists of over 100 temples, making it one of the largest temple complexes in India. Jageshwar Dham is also home to the Jyotirlinga, a sacred pillar that is said to represent the presence of Lord Shiva.
10. Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Tungnath village of Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. At an elevation of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), it is the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world and is one of the Panch Kedar temples. The Tungnath temple is believed to be 1,000 years old and was built by Pandavas, the five brothers of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The current structure was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.
The temple has five stories, with each story representing one of the five elements of nature: earth, water, fire, air, and space. The main idol of Lord Shiva in the form of a lingam is housed in the garbhagriha or sanctum sanctorum on the top floor. Tungnath Temple is accessible only by trekking and is open to pilgrims from April to November.
Uttarakhand is a land of temples. There are numerous temples in the state, each with its own unique story and history. If you’re looking for an enlightening spiritual journey, or simply want to explore some of India’s most beautiful architecture, then make sure to add at least one of these ten temples to your itinerary. Have you been to any of these amazing temples? Let us know in the comments below!
What are the opening hours of the temples of Uttarakhand?
FAQ:
Kedarnath Temple
Badrinath Temple
Gangotri Temple
Yamunotri Temple
Chandi Devi, Maya Devi, and Sapt Rishi Ashram
Lakshman Jhula and Parmarth Niketan
Char Dham Temples
Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara
Jogeshwar Temple
Tungnath Temple
There are several temples in Uttarakhand that are worth visiting. Some of the most popular temples include the Kedarnath Temple, Badrinath Temple, and Hemkund Sahib.
To visit the Kedarnath Temple, you will need to first go to Rudraprayag. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Gaurikund, which is where the temple is located. The Badrinath Temple can be visited from either Haridwar or Badrinath. And finally, to visit Hemkund Sahib, you will need to go to Joshimath and then take a bus or taxi to Govindghat.
Most of the temples are open from sunrise to sunset. However, there are a few exceptions. The Badrinath temple is open from 5:00am to 9:00pm, and Kedarnath temple is open from 6:00am to 8:00pm.
The best time to visit the temples of Uttarakhand depends on which temple you want to visit. Each temple has a different season that is considered the most auspicious time to visit.
For example, the Kedarnath Temple is open from April to November, while the Badrinath Temple is open from May to October. If you’re interested in visiting other temples in Uttarakhand, be sure to check their opening and closing dates before making your plans.
The entry fees for the temples of Uttarakhand vary depending on the temple. For example, the entry fee for Chardham Yatra is Rs. 500 per person and for Nanda Devi Temple it is Rs. 100 per person.
Some temples do not charge an entrance fee, such as Kedarnath Temple. However, there may be a separate fee for parking or other activities at the temple. It’s best to check with the specific temple before visiting to make sure you are aware of all associated costs.
The temples of Uttarakhand are some of the most highly revered temples in all of India. Each temple has its own unique offerings and facilities available to pilgrims and worshippers.
Some of the most popular temples in Uttarakhand include the Kedarnath Temple, the Badrinath Temple, and the Hemkund Sahib Temple. Each of these temples is dedicated to a different aspect of Hinduism, and each offers its own unique set of blessings and rewards to those who visit.
The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important temples in all of Uttarakhand, as it is dedicated to Lord Shiva himself. This temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas, and is considered to
There are plenty of things to do at the temples of Uttarakhand, including sightseeing, worshiping, and more.
Many of the temples in Uttarakhand are located in scenic areas with beautiful views. Visitors can enjoy taking in the natural beauty while exploring the temple complex. Additionally, many of the temples are great places for spiritual contemplation and worship. There are often opportunities for pilgrims to take part in religious ceremonies and rituals as well. Overall, there is something for everyone at the temples of Uttarakhand.
Some of the most popular temples in Uttarakhand include the Badrinath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Gangotri Temple, and Yamunotri Temple. Each of these temples is known for its own unique history and significance.
The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in the Himalayas at an altitude of 10,232 feet. The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is located on the banks of the River Ganges.
Some popular temples in Uttarakhand are the Kedarnath Temple, the Badrinath Temple, and the Hemkund Sahib Temple.
The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The Badrinath Temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the Garhwal Himalayas. The Hemkund Sahib Temple is a Sikh temple that is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters.
There are many historical temples in Uttarakhand, but some of the most famous ones include the Badrinath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Gangotri Temple.
The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it is located in the Himalayas near the India-China border. The temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples, and it is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.
The Kedarnath Temple is also dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and it is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India, and it is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites
