SPIRITUALITY
IN UTTARAKHAND
Land of Gods
LAND OF GODS.
Uttarakhand is the Land of Gods or Devbhoomi, the abode of Lord Shiva. Believed to be the Origin of Earth (where Earth and life begin)
Uttarakhand, steeped in religious Vedic history and heritage, is home to revered temples, holy rivers, and spiritual sites. Devotees visit for pilgrimages to Char Dham (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri) and Panch Prayag, where rivers converge to form the sacred Ganga. Other important destinations include Bageshwar, Joshimath, and Baijnath, making the state a significant land of pilgrims.
Badrinath
The Badrinath Temple, also known as Badrinarayan Temple, is an awe-inspiring site in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayas, perched at about 3,100 meters along the Alaknanda River. As one of the Char Dhams, alongside Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Kedarnath, it holds great spiritual significance.
Believed to have been established by sage Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, this beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It’s accessible for only six months each year, becoming a breathtaking pilgrimage destination, especially when cloaked in winter's heavy snowfall.
Gangotri
Gangotri, one of the Char Dhams and a key pilgrimage site in northern India, is located in Uttarkashi and features the temple of Goddess Ganga. About a 12-hour drive from Rishikesh, it is nestled among the Garhwal Himalayan peaks at an altitude of approximately 3,415 meters.
According to Hindu legends, the Ganges descended from heaven at Gangotri when Lord Shiva released it from his locks. The river originates at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier, 19 kilometers away, and is known as Bhagirathi before merging with the Alaknanda at Devaprayag, where it takes the name 'Ganga.' The Kapat is currently open for darshan.
Bajinath
Baijnath is an ancient town in the Garur Valley, once the capital of the Katyuri dynasty. The main attraction is a 12th-century Lord Shiva temple, known for its exquisite architecture and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Baijnath is part of the 'Shiva Heritage Circuit' in Kumaon and is surrounded by lush forests and fruit orchards, offering beautiful nature trails and the chance to spot rare birds, butterflies, and flowers.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath town, located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,580 meters, is a significant temple destination in India. It centers around the ancient Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, known for its impressive grey stone architecture. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his “Sadashiva” form.
As part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath is surrounded by stunning peaks like Kedarnath and Kedar Dome. Historically known as "Kedar Khand," this region is associated with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, who sought Lord Shiva's blessings for redemption. The Lord eluded them, taking the form of a bull, before diving into the ground. His remaining parts are worshipped at four other sites: Tungnath (arms), Rudranath (face), Madmaheshwar (belly), and Kalpeshwar (locks). Together, Kedarnath and these shrines form the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
Devprayag
Devprayag is a beautiful destination steeped in tradition and mysticism, where the holy rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge to form the Ganga. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father, King Dasharath, performed penance here, and the main temple, Raghunathji Temple, is dedicated to Lord Rama.
As one of the Panch Prayag—five sacred confluences of the Alaknanda—Devprayag is an important pilgrimage site. The other four sites are Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, and Rudraprayag. Additionally, it serves as the winter seat for the priests of Badrinath Dham temple and attracts thousands of devotees during the Chardham yatra season.
Jageshwar
Jageshwar, located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, is known as the "Valley of Gods" due to its cluster of over 100 ancient stone temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. This heritage site, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, features exquisite architecture and is estimated to be around 2,500 years old. The temples, primarily built by the Katyuri dynasty, house numerous sculptures and inscriptions. Notably, a red sandstone pillar from the 1st century BC has also been discovered. Jageshwar attracts visitors during the Jageshwar Monsoon Festival in August and the Shivratri Mela in spring.
BEST SPIRITUAL
TOURISM.
