Rudraprayag

Tungnath

Tungnath, serenely nestled on Chandranath Parvat, stands as the world’s highest Shiva temple and the tallest among the Panch Kedar temples in Uttarakhand. Tungnath is the third temple in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sequence, Temple is situated at an impressive altitude of 3,680 meters above sea level, The temple is believed to be more than 1,000 years old, carrying a rich historical and cultural heritage

Location	Rudraprayag
Starting Point	Chopta
Famous For	Temple, Panch Kedar (it’s a part of Third kedar ), Trekking, Bird Watching
Altitude	12,073 feet
Total Trekking	3.5 Km Trek From Chopta
Nearest Railway Station or Airport	Rishikesh, 230kms/ Jolly Grant Airport, 240 kms
Best time to visit Ukhimath	May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,

History of Tungnath Temple

The Tungnath Temple, standing tall with its magnificent architecture, has a history spanning over a thousand years. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, you’ll also find idols of Goddess Parvati and other gods nearby. Adi Shankaracharya discovered this sacred temple, and today, it is tended to by local Brahmins from Makku village.

During winters, the symbolic image of Lord Shiva is shifted to Mukunath, which is 19 km away. The trek to Tungnath takes you through rocky terrains, lush meadows, and rhododendron bushes, treating you to stunning views of nature. The sight of the grand Himalayas along the way uplifts the spirits of trekkers. Trek offers clear views of numerous named and unnamed peaks of the majestic Himalayan range.

Mythology about Tungnath

The story behind Temple is rooted in the Mahabharata epic. According to Vyas Rishi, the Pandavas were burdened with the guilt of killing their own brothers in the war, and their redemption would only come if Lord Shiva forgave them. Seeking forgiveness, the Pandavas embarked on a search for Lord Shiva in the Himalayas. However, Lord Shiva, aware of their guilt, kept avoiding them.

To evade the Pandavas, Lord Shiva transformed into a bull and took refuge underground. The places where different parts of the bull were discovered are now revered as Shiva temples. Tungnath Temple, specifically, is believed to be the spot where his hands (bahu) were found

Places to See in Tungnath

Triyuginarayan - Wedding Destination of Lord Shiva — Madmaheshwar trek

How To Reach Tungnath

By Road

Tungnath is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttarakhand, such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Rudraprayag. The road leading to Tungnath is scenic but can be narrow and winding in some sections, so drive cautiously, especially during the monsoon and winter seasons.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Tungnath is the Rishikesh Railway Station, located about 209 km away. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Tungnath. The journey by road takes approximately 7-9 hours.

By Air

The nearest airport to Tungnath is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 215 km away. From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or use public transportation to reach Tungnath. The journey takes around 8-10 hours by road.

Tungnath Temple 2023 Opening/Closing Dates

Opening Date Tungnath Temple 2023	26 April 2023
Closing Date of Temple	1 Nov 2023.

Note :- Trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila will be open in winters.

Budha Madmaheshwar

Budha Madmaheshwar, also known as the Old Madmaheshwar, is a temple situated just 2 km away from the renowned Madmaheshwar temple. It’s a short trek to reach there and provides one of the finest views of the Chaukhambha Peaks. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, also known as Mahadev.

Location	Rudraprayag
Starting Point	Ransi Village
Famous For	Temple, Panch Kedar, Trekking
Altitude	11850 Ft
Total Trek From Madmaheshwar	02 Km
Nearest Railway Station or Airport	Rishikesh, 230kms/ Jolly Grant Airport, 240 kms
Best time to visit Ukhimath	May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,

How To Reach Budha Madmaheshwar

By Road

From Rishikesh or Haridwar, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Ukhimath, which is the base for Budha Madmaheshwar.
The route from Ukhimath to Budha Madmaheshwar involves a rough and steep road, which is not accessible by vehicles. So, you’ll need to trek from Ukhimath to Sagar village and then to Budha Madmaheshwar temple.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Budha Madmaheshwar is Rishikesh or Haridwar railway station.
From there, you can proceed as mentioned in the road route.

By Air

The nearest airport to Budha Madmaheshwar is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 200 kilometers away.
From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Rishikesh or Haridwar and then follow the road route mentioned above.

Ransi Village

Ransi Village is a peaceful hamlet nestled in the Ukhimath area of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. Surrounded by lush terraced fields, dense green forests, and a variety of plants and animals, this village exudes tranquility. The charming houses, typically one or two stories high with slate roofs, add to the village’s picturesque charm.

This village is a starting point for the trek to Madyamaheshwar Temple, one of the Panch Kedars. The journey spans 16 kilometers through thick forests, alongside beautiful streams, and past captivating waterfalls, eventually leading you to the sacred temple. Ransi Village, with its natural beauty and serene atmosphere, serves as a gateway to the spiritual trek towards Madyamaheshwa

Location	Rudraprayag
Starting Point	Madmaheshwar Trek
Famous For	Temple, Panch Kedar, Trekking
Altitude	9450 Ft
Total Trek of Madmaheshwar	16 Km
Nearest Railway Station or Airport	Rishikesh, 230kms/ Jolly Grant Airport, 240 kms
Best time to visit Ukhimath	May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,

Famous Tourist places Nearby Ransi Village

How To Reach Ransi Village

By Road

From Major Cities: Ransi Village is located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. If you’re coming from major cities like Delhi or Dehradun, you can drive through picturesque roads. The journey from Delhi takes around 8-9 hours, and from Dehradun, it’s approximately a 4-5 hour drive.
Bus Services: There are state-run and private bus services from nearby towns like Pauri, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag to Ransi Village. Buses usually drop you off at a nearby point, from where you can hire a local taxi or walk to reach the village.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Ransi Village is at Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ransi Village. The journey takes around 5-6 hours by road.

By Air

The nearest airport to Ransi Village is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ransi Village. The drive from Dehradun to Ransi takes around 4-5 hours.

Ukhimath

Ukhimath, also known as Okhimath, is perched at an elevation of 1317 meters above sea level in the picturesque Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This charming town serves as the winter abode for Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar. During the winter season when the Kedarnath temple is closed, worship shifts to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.

Location	Rudraprayag
Nearest Railway Station or Airport	Rishikesh, 200kms/ Jolly Grant Airport, 196 kms
Best time to visit Ukhimath	Round the Year
Famous For	Temple

Winter Seat of Kedarnath

Ukhimath is often referred to as the “Winter Seat of Kedarnath” because the idols of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped here during the winter season when the main Kedarnath temple is inaccessible.

Mythology about Ukhimath

In ancient times, Ukhimath was known as ‘Ushamat,’ named after Usha, the daughter of Banasur.

According to Hindu mythology, the legendary tale unfolds in Ukhimath where Anirudh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna, married Usha, the enchanting daughter of Banasura, the demon King. This sacred union bestowed the name ‘Ukhimath’ upon the place, signifying the maternal abode (‘maith’) of Usha.

How To Reach Ukhimath

By Road

Ukhimath is well-connected by road, and you can reach there by bus or taxi. Buses are available from major cities, including Delhi, to Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, you can find transportation to Ukhimath. The journey involves picturesque landscapes and winding roads.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is around 181 kilometers away from Ukhimath. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ukhimath.

By Air

The nearest airport to Ukhimath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 196 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Ukhimath.

Places to Vist Near Ukhimath

Vishwanath Temple

The Vishwanath Temple is situated in the town of Guptakashi in the Rudraprayag district and attracts numerous devotees throughout the year. The entire Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand derives its name from the multitude of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Lord Rudra. Among these, the Vishwanath Temple in Guptakashi stands out prominently.

Location	Rudraprayag Guptkashi
Trek	1 Km Walking Distance
Best Time to visit	May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov,

Mythology of Vishwanath Temple

The mythology surrounding the Vishwanath Temple portrays it as the divine setting for Lord Shiva’s proposal to Parvati, marking a moment of profound significance in the celestial love story between the two deities. The subsequent matrimonial rituals, however, unfolded at the Triyugi Narayan Temple, adding to the spiritual aura and historical richness of these revered sites.

How To Reach Vishwanath Temple

By Road

Guptkashi is well-connected by roads, making it easily accessible by buses. You can find buses from ISBT Kashmiri Gate in Delhi to Rishikesh or Srinagar. From there, you can take another bus or hire a taxi to reach Guptkashi.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, approximately 182 km away from Guptkashi. After reaching Rishikesh, you can find taxis and buses to Guptkashi easily.

By Air

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, around 198 km from Guptkashi. Once you land at the airport, you can hire a taxi for a convenient journey to Guptkashi.

Best Places to Vist Near

“Uttarakhand” which is famous for many such religious and mythology. Many of the sites here are not only as tourist sites but also as sacred pilgrim centers. One of the Panchapragagas of Uttarakhand, “Rudraprayag” has its own importance. Mandakani coming from Kedarnath Dham and the place where Alaknanda is coming from the other side. That place is known as “Rudraprayag”. Lord Shiva was also addressed as “Rudra”. Hence the name of this Sangam by the name “Rudra” has been named “Rudraprayag”. The ancient temple of Lord Rudranath is also located in the area at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers. Kedarnath is also located in Rudraprayag district. The famous shrine “Kedarnath Dham” is located 76 kms away from Rudraprayag.

Rudraprayag district was constructed on September 16, 1997. This district was created by combining parts of Chamoli and Pauri. About the history of Rudraprayag district, the authentic script is found only in the 6th AD. Before independence, this place was under the control of the Tehri region. The main area of Tehri is called Nagpur. Regarding Rudra prayag, it is believed that Nagvanshi king used to rule here. Later, the Pandwar Vansi ruler established his rule. In 1804 this area was under Gorkha and in 1815 under the British rule. In the Puranas, Kedar-Khand was called the house of God. It seems from the facts of the Vedas and Indian mythologies, Ramayana and Mahabharata that these Hindu scriptures have been written in Kedar-Khand.

Devprayag Karanprayag Sonprayag Vishnuprayag Nandprayag

Confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini (PC:- Manthan Bhansali)

MYTHOLOGICAL BELIEFS OF RUDRAPRAYAG

According to Skandapuraan Kedrkhand, Pandav left his state and went to Kedarnath on the banks of Mandakini river to regain his Kaurava brothers’ murder after the victory of Pandavas in the time of Mahabharata. And from this place, Pandav departed from heaven by his heavenly ancestor.
According to Kedarkhand, Maharishi Narada in Rudraprayag stood on one foot of Lord Shiva and worshiped and pleased with his worship, Lord Shiva presented Maharishi Nard in Rudra form and Maharishi Narada gave music to Lord Shiva in Rudra form Education and Lord Shiva rendered him harness. It is said that since then this place was called “Rudraprayag”

How To Reach Rudraprayag

By Road

Rudraprayag is well-connected by road to major cities like Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. You can drive to Rudraprayag from Delhi via NH 58 or NH 334. Buses are available from Rishikesh and Haridwar to Rudraprayag. State-owned as well as private buses operate on this route.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Rudraprayag is Rishikesh Railway Station, which is about 140 kilometers away. From Rishikesh, you can either hire a taxi or take a bus to Rudraprayag. The journey takes around 5-6 hours by road.

By Air

The nearest airport to Rudraprayag is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, approximately 159 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Rudraprayag. It takes around 5-6 hours by road.