Popular Local Places & Treks

Chopta, Tungnath is a small region of meadows and evergreen forest area which is a part of kedarnath wildlife sanctuary located in Uttarakhand state, India and a base for trekking to Tungnath, third temple of Panch Kedar, which lies 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) away. Located at a distance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from Tungnath is Chandrashila, a rising to over 4,000 metres (13,000 ft).

 Chandrashila is the summit above Tungnath temple. It literally means "Moon Rock". It is located at a height of about 3,690 metres above sea level. This peak provides views of the Himalayas, including Nandadevi, Trisul, Kedar Peak, Bandarpunch and Chaukhamba peaks. There are various legends associated with this place.  

  Madhyamaheshwar (मध्यमहेश्वर) or Madmaheshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva, located in the Mansoona village of Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. Situated at an elevation of 3,497 m (11,473.1 ft), it is the fourth temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, comprising five Shiva temples in the Garhwal region. The other temples in the circuit include: Kedarnath, Tungnath and Rudranath to be visited before Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar to be visited after Madmaheshwar.   

 Triyuginarayan Temple (त्रियुगी-नारायण) is a Hindu temple located in the Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. The ancient temple is dedicated to god Vishnu. Its fame is credited to the legend of god Shiva’s marriage to goddess Parvati witnessed by Vishnu at this venue and is thus a popular Hindu pilgrimage sites. A special feature of this temple is a perpetual fire, that burns in front of the temple. The flame is believed to burn from the times of the divine marriage. Thus, the temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni temple. 

Ukhimath (also written Okhimath) is a small town and a Hindu pilgrimage site in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at an elevation of 1311 meters and at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag. During the winters, the idols from Kedarnath temple, and Madhyamaheshwar are brought to Ukhimath and worshipped here for six months. Ukhimath can be used as center destination for visiting different places located nearby, i.e. Madhmaheshwar (Second kedar), Tungnath (Third kedar) and Deoria Tal (a natural fresh water lake) and many other picturesque places. According to Hindu Mythology, Wedding of Usha (Daughter of Vanasur) and Anirudh(Grandson of Lord Krishna) was solemnized here. By name of Usha this place was named as Ushamath, now known as Ukhimath. King Mandhata penances Lord Shiva here. During winter the Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath is brought from Kedarnath to this place. Winter puja of Lord Kedarnath and year-round puja of Lord Omkareshwar is performed here. This temple is situated at Ukhimath which is at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag 

The temple of Goddess Kali there is visited by devotees year round, especially during the Navratras. This holy shrine is one of 108 Shakti Peethas in India as per Srimad Devi Bhagwat. The upper part of Kali is worshipped in Dhari Devi. The remaining part in Kalimath religious tradition is that Kalimath is where Kali killed the demon Raktavija and went under the earth. Kalimath is the only place where the goddess Kali is worshipped along with her sisters Laxmi and Saraswati.

No idol is worshipped in the temple. Instead the Sri Yantra is the object of devotion. On one day each year the goddess is taken out and Puja is performed at midnight, with only the chief priest present. Near the temple are other ancient temples to Laxmi, Saraswati, Gauri Shankar and many antique Shivlings, idols of Nandi and Ganesh, etc.

An eternal holy flame always burns in the temple of Laxmi. Bhairava Mandir is located nearby. Barti Baba is credited for preserving the sanctity of this holy shrine. All the people who met him and the locals say that he had a direct connection with Maa Kali. 

The guru and Member of Parliament, Satpal Maharaj, set up a small Dharamshala near the temple where pilgrims can stay. About 2 km east is Kunjethi village, hosting two temples of Mata Manana Devi and Mankameshwar Mahadev. 6 km from Kalimath at the top of a hill there is a huge Kalishila and another one Kali Temple.

Guptkashi has a great importance quite like that of Kashi. The ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardhnareshwar temple and Manikarnik Kund, where the two streams of Ganga and Yamuna are believed to meet, are the main places of attraction in Guptkashi.

It is believed that after the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessing. But Lord Shiva evaded from Guptkasi to Kedarnath as he did not want to meet the Pandavas, the reason being that although they had fought for the right cause, they were also responsible for destroying their own dynasty.

Makkumath - Winter Seat of Tungnath Makkumath is a picturesque village perched at an elevation of 2100 mts in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. A paradise for bird lovers, Makkumath is home to rare Himalayan bird species and an ideal place for those seeking a respite from city life.   The quaint hamlet is surrounded by lush green mountains covered with evergreen tall oak, rhododendron and deodar forests boasting a serene environment full of greenery and peace.

Kartikswami - Temple Above Clouds In the wonderlands of the Garhwal Himalayas, lies the Kartik Swami temple that remains hidden by the cottony clouds that carelessly drifts above the temple. This holy temple is dedicated to Kartikeya, the elder son of Lord Shiva and is adorned at the end of a narrow ridge, enclosed by a deep valley.   One can soak in the mystical beauty of the snowy peaks and the lower Himalayas that can be seen from here. If you move inside, you’ll be stunned by the beautifully carved idol of Kartik Swami.