Most Famous Temples in Uttarakhand
Located in the northern region of India, Uttarakhand is believed to be auspicious by Hindu gods and goddesses. The region is home to one of the most spectacular mountain ranges, home to some of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. In Uttarakhand, all the temples are blessed with an interesting history that delights the visitors and transports you to the time of the gods. Even after facing some of the worst environmental conditions, as well as calamities, the area grows magnificently every year, according to the legend that the god actually resides there. These are the temples that everyone must visit.
Most Beautiful and Must Visit Temples in Uttarakhand:
Badrinath Temple.
Baleswara Temple.
Chandi Devi Temple
Surkanda Devi Temple
Kalpswara Temple.
Rnath Mandir.
Manasa Devi Temple
Rudranath Temple.
Kantha Mahadev Temple.
1. Badrinath Temple:
Badrinath Temple is one of the most famous temples found in Uttarakhand. The temple is included in the Vedas, making it more attractive to Hindus. The staunch followers of Lord Vishnu and people commonly known as Vaishnavas visit the temple every day during their lifetime. Devotees traveling from all over the country and from all over the world frequent the place of worship. Badri is a town in Badri state which is believed to be as sacred as a temple.
Highlights:
Address: Badri to Mata Murthy Road, Badrinath, Uttarakhand - 246422
times: Times from sunrise to sunset
Dress Code: Formal attire
Approximate visit time; 15 - 18 hours
How to get there; Devotees have the option of walking or riding a horse or a person carrying on their back (pithu) from the starting point.
Temple Website: http://badarikedar.org/
Best time to visit; May and June and September to October
Other attractions: Tapt Kund, Vasudhara Falls
2. Baleswara Temple:
An authentic example of South Indian architecture, with an emphasis on intricate stone carvings. Built by Chand dynasty rulers. Baleshwar Temple is one of the famous temples of Uttarakhand. AD The temple was built between 10th and 12th centuries. This Uttarakhand temple is named after Lord Shiva and is known as Baleshwar. The complex has two temples, one dedicated exclusively to Chamapavati Durga and the second to Ratneshwara. This temple is one of the most famous shrines in India.
Highlights:
Address: District Hospital Road, Champawat, Uttarakhand - 262523
Timings: 9 am to 11:30 am, and 5 pm to 8:30 pm.
Dress Code: Dress to impress.
Approximate Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
How to reach there: Local transport methods can be used to reach Champawat city and the temple.
Temple Website; http://maachandevi.in/
Best time to visit: Mahashivratri is one of the most ideal times to visit this temple.
Other attractions: Loha Ghat Patal Rudreshwar
3. Chandi Devi Temple:
Located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Chandi Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi. It is one of the most visited temples in Uttarakhand as well as in the country. Every year, a large number of devotees visit the temple. Daily visits to the temple are also very high.
Highlights:
Address: Neel Parvat, Haridwar, Uttarakhand - 249408
times; ; 15 - 18 hours.
Dress Code : Good attire
Approximate Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
What to do: Local transport methods can be used to reach the temple. After that, people can walk to the temple or take a three-kilometer electric cable car ride.
Temple Website: http://maachandevi.in/
Best time to visit: Navratri, Chandi Chaudas
Other attractions; Crystal World and Swami Vivekananda Park are there
4. Surkanda Devi Temple:
According to legend, Lord Sati's wife first threw herself into the burning fire when her father decided not to invite her or the Lord to a grand Vedic ceremony because the Lord was displeased with his daughter's choice of husband. Enraged with anger and grief, Shiva managed to take Sati's corpse and began performing Tandavam to pacify her. Lord Vishnu split Sati's body using the Sudarshana Chakra and made the Lord stop. Sati's head was found. Goddess Sati is buried here in the Surkanda Temple, one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. This temple is situated at an altitude of 9000 feet. There are hill stations nearby at an altitude of 8 km. Visitors from outside India can also visit the temple.
Highlights:
Address: Chamba ; Mussoorie Road, Saklana Range, Uttarakhand 249145
Summer Timings: 05.00 AM to 07.00 PM
Winter: 07:00 AM to 05:00 PM
dress code; Affordable clothing
Approximate duration of visit: One day
How to reach there: Local transport modes
Temple Website : N/A
Best time to visit: Ganga Dussehra, Navratri
Other attractions: Mussoorie, Chamba
5. Kalpswara Temple:
Situated at an altitude of 7000 feet in the middle of the Urgam valley, this temple is a wonderful example of 'where men are, there are Gods'. The way to this temple is long and tiring. Another popular house of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand is frequented by those with faith intact. The fact that this temple and its location are briefly mentioned in the Mahabharata Kavyam makes it very special. Among all the 5 Panch Kedars, this is the only one that is frequented throughout the year, making it one of the popular places of worship in Uttarakhand.
Highlights:
Address: Urgam, Chamoli District Garhwal, Uttarakhand 246443
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM
Dress Code : Good attire
Approximate Visit Duration Day: One day
How to get there: How to get local transport options
Temple Website Temple Website: N/A
Best time to visit: Mahashivratri.
6. Kedarnath Temple:
Chota Char Dham is one of the most popular pilgrimages for Hindus and a trip to Kedarnath Temple is incomplete. It is located at the peak of Garhwal Himalayan ranges, it has one of the highest jyotirlingas (dedicated to Lord Shiva) due to extremely harsh weather conditions the doors of this temple are closed from November to April. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this famous Uttarakhand temple that attracts tourists from all over the world. According to legend, it is believed that the Pandavas completed their penance in this temple and were rewarded by the Lord.
Address: Kedar Valley, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand 246445.
Timings: 7 AM to 2 PM and 5 PM to 8:30 PM.
Dress Code: Fair dress
Approximate duration of visit: One day
How to reach
Temple Website: www.badrikedar.org
Best time to visit: May to October
Additional attractions: Hot Springs, Cedar Valley
7. Manasa Devi Temple:
Manasa Devi Manasa Devi is a manifestation of Shakti (the feminine principle of divine energy). A highly revered holy place, it is a popular holy place, the Uttarakhand shrine is visited by people of all genders as it is believed that Shakti is an integral part of every human being. It was built between 1811-1815 AD, the temple was built on the orders of Mani Majra Maharaja Gopal Singh. According to some, this type of energy began to appear long ago.
Highlights:
Address: Dev Bhumi, Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM.
Dress Code : Good attire
Approximate Visit Time: 2 - 5 Hours
How to get there; Devotees can choose to walk the 3km from the main town to the temple or take an electric cable car.
Temple Website; www.badrikedar.org
Best time to visit: Navratri
Other attractions: Haridwar, Ganga Aarti at Gaughan
8. Rudranath Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the approach to this temple offers an experience like no other. The Swayambhu (self-appearing) face of Lord Shiva is enshrined at this place. The legends of the temple construction suggest that when the Lord transformed himself into a bull to escape from the Pandavas, he transformed himself into the earth, resulting in parts of his body appearing from different places, thus Rudranath's face. The temple is an element of the Panch Kedar Pilgrimage, one of the seven temples dedicated to the form and disguise of Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at an altitude of 11,800 feet. It can only be visited by non-believers but physically fit devotees.
Highlights:
Address: Rudranath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand 246472
Best time to visit: 6 AM to 7 PM
dress code: Affordable clothing
Approximate visit time: 1 - 2 days
How to reach there: Devotees have to bike from Gopeshwar for 5 km followed by a total distance of 18 km on foot.
Temple Website : N/A
Best time to visit: May to October/November based on Diwali, as the temple is closed after Diwali till Akshaya Tritiya.
Other attractions: Narad Kund, Chandra Kund
9.Neelakanta Mahadev Temple:
Dedicated to Nilakantha The Nilakantha Hindu Temple is built in honor of Lord Shiva, the god of Hinduism, and is one of the most famous shrines in the country. This popular Hindu ritual is believed to be one of the most sacred places by the people of the region.
Highlights:
Address: Kotdwar Pauri Road, Kotdwara, Uttarakhand 246149
Timings: 5 AM to 6 PM.
dress code: Good attire
Approximate Visit Time: Half to a day
How to reach there: 12 km from Pauri Garhwal,
Temple Website : N/A
Best time to visit: Mahashivratri
Additional attractions: Neer Gaddu Falls, Laxman Jhula
With lush green mountains surrounding you, Uttarakhand, the land of gods and goddesses is a must for everyone. The temples of Uttarakhand will take you on a path of enlightenment that will give you an unforgettable and transformative experience. Make the most of your trip by hiking and taking lots of amazing Uttarakhand temple pictures and then soak up all the adventure and amazing beauty this holy place has to offer.
