Ten Temples You Must Visit in Uttarakhand

Hello Guys Here In this blog i am gonna tell you about to 10 temples you must Visit in Uttarakhand Including Char-Dham. But Before that let me tell you something about Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand is a state located in the northern part of India, bordering Nepal and Tibet. The state was carved out of the northern part of Uttar Pradesh in 2000 and is also known as the “Devbhoomi” or the “Land of Gods” due to its numerous Hindu pilgrimage sites and temples.

Uttarakhand is known for its scenic beauty, with the Himalayas forming the northern boundary of the state. It is home to several famous hill stations, including Mussoorie, Nainital, and Almora. The state is also known for its adventure tourism, with activities such as trekking, skiing, and river rafting attracting visitors from all over the world.

The major cities of Uttarakhand are Dehradun, the state capital, and Haridwar and Rishikesh, which are important religious centers. The state has a rich cultural heritage, with several festivals and fairs celebrated throughout the year. The people of Uttarakhand are primarily engaged in agriculture, horticulture, and tourism, with handicrafts and handloom weaving also being important industries. The official language of the state is Hindi, with Garhwali and Kumaoni also spoken in some regions.

 

 

Here are many and many religious temples and places but we are gonna tell you some important one here  bleow.

 

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered and important shrines in Hinduism, located in the town of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is part of the Char Dham Yatra, which is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Hinduism.

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Mandakini River. It is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and is only accessible by foot or on horseback and helicopter. The trek to the temple is considered challenging, but it is also considered a spiritual and rewarding experience for devotees.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 8th century AD by the Adi Shankaracharya, a great Hindu saint and philosopher. The temple has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries, the most recent being in 2013 after it was severely damaged in a flash flood.

The main deity of the temple is a lingam, which is believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas, or sacred symbols of Lord Shiva. The lingam is made of black stone and is 3.6 meters (12 feet) in height.

The temple is open to visitors from late April to early November, and it attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines and accommodation facilities for pilgrims.

 

 

Badrinath Temple

Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Badrinath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is also known as one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered holy abodes of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism.

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Alaknanda River. It is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and is only accessible by road during the summer months.

The temple is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD, although the current structure dates back to the 19th century. The temple has a distinctive architecture, with a gold- and stone-covered façade, and is surrounded by several smaller shrines and hot springs.

The main deity of the temple is a black stone statue of Lord Vishnu, which is 1 meter (3.3 feet) in height and is believed to be self-manifested. The statue is depicted in a meditative posture and is adorned with several jewels and garments.

The temple is open to visitors from late April to early November, and it attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. The temple complex also includes several accommodation facilities and shops selling souvenirs and religious items. The temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India and is visited by devotees from all over the world.

 

 

Gangotri Temple

Gangotri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga, also known as the River Ganges. It is located in the town of Gangotri in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. The temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is considered one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,200 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. It is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and is accessible only by foot or on horseback.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century. The temple has a traditional architecture and is made of white granite stones. The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines and a hot water spring called Surya Kund.

The main deity of the temple is a silver idol of Goddess Ganga, which is 1 meter (3.3 feet) in height and is adorned with several jewels and garments. The idol is taken out in a procession during the Gangotri Festival, which is celebrated every year in the month of May.

The temple is open to visitors from late April to early November, and it attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. The temple complex also includes several accommodation facilities and shops selling souvenirs and religious items. The temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India and is visited by devotees from all over the world who come to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges.

 

 

Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, located in the town of Yamunotri in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is considered one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.

The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) above sea level, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas and is accessible only by foot or on horseback.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 19th century by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The temple has a traditional architecture and is made of granite stones. The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines and hot water springs called kunds.

The main deity of the temple is a silver idol of Goddess Yamuna, which is 0.3 meters (1 foot) in height and is adorned with several jewels and garments. The idol is taken out in a procession during the Yamunotri Festival, which is celebrated every year in the month of May.

The temple is open to visitors from late April to early November, and it attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year. The temple complex also includes several accommodation facilities and shops selling souvenirs and religious items. The temple is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India and is visited by devotees from all over the world who come to take a dip in the holy waters of the Yamuna River.

 

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 1,330 meters (4,360 feet) above sea level in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The temple is surrounded by dense forests and is located at the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers, which form the Ganges River.

According to Hindu mythology, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is the place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that emerged from the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan). The poison turned his throat blue, hence the name Neelkanth, which means “blue throat” in Sanskrit.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts thousands of devotees every year, especially during the annual Shivratri festival. The temple architecture is a mix of traditional Garhwal and Kumaoni styles, and the shrine houses a Shivalinga, along with idols of Parvati, Ganesh, and Kartikeya.

The temple can be reached by a trek of approximately 14 kilometers from the nearest town of Swarg Ashram or by road from Rishikesh, which is around 32 kilometers away.

 

Tungnath Temple

Tungnath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 3,680 meters (12,073 feet) above sea level in the Tungnath mountain range, which is a part of the Garhwal Himalayas. Tungnath is the highest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the Panch Kedar temples in Uttarakhand.

According to Hindu mythology, Tungnath Temple is the place where Lord Shiva’s arm appeared when the Pandavas sought his blessings after the Kurukshetra war. The temple is also believed to be 1000 years old and was built by Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher and theologian.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts devotees from all over the world, especially during the Char Dham Yatra. The temple architecture is a mix of traditional Garhwal and Kumaoni styles, and the shrine houses a five-headed idol of Lord Shiva, along with idols of other deities.

Tungnath Temple can be reached by a trek of approximately 3.5 kilometers from the nearest town of Chopta or by road from the nearby cities of Rishikesh or Haridwar. The trek to Tungnath is considered to be moderate and offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges.

 

Jageshwar Temple

Jageshwar Temple is a group of more than 100 Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Jageshwar Valley, which is a part of the Kumaon Himalayas. The temples date back to the 9th century and are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Kumaon region.

According to Hindu mythology, Jageshwar Temple is the place where Lord Shiva meditated and attained enlightenment. The temple complex is also believed to be the site of the Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve sacred shrines of Lord Shiva.

The temple complex is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts devotees from all over the world, especially during the annual Shivratri festival. The temple architecture is a mix of Nagara and Kumaoni styles, and the shrines house a number of Shivlingas, along with idols of other deities.

Jageshwar Temple can be reached by road from the nearby cities of Almora, Kathgodam, and Haldwani. The temple complex is surrounded by dense forests and offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges. It is also a popular trekking destination, with a number of trekking trails leading to nearby mountains and valleys.

 

Baleshwar Temple

Baleshwar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the town of Champawat, which was once the capital of the Chand dynasty of Kumaon. The temple is believed to date back to the 10th century and is one of the oldest temples in Uttarakhand.

According to Hindu mythology, Baleshwar Temple is the place where Lord Shiva resided while he was in the form of Bala, or child. The temple architecture is a mix of Kumaoni and Nagara styles, and the shrine houses a Shivlinga, along with idols of other deities.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts devotees from all over the world, especially during the annual Shivratri festival. The temple complex is also home to a number of other smaller shrines dedicated to various deities.

Baleshwar Temple can be reached by road from the nearby cities of Nainital, Almora, and Pithoragarh. The temple is surrounded by lush green forests and offers panoramic views of the Kumaon Himalayas. The nearby town of Champawat is also known for its historical significance and has a number of other ancient temples and monuments.

 

 

Purnagiri Temple

Purnagiri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Purnagiri, also known as Punyagiri or Purnagiri Devi. It is located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, at an altitude of 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level. The temple is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Kali River and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

According to Hindu mythology, Purnagiri Temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, where the right ankle of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. The temple is also believed to be the place where the goddess appeared before Lord Shiva and blessed him with her powers.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site and attracts devotees from all over India, especially during the Chaitra Navratri festival, which is celebrated every year in March-April. The temple complex consists of several small temples dedicated to various deities, including Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman.

To reach Purnagiri Temple, visitors have to take a steep and narrow road from Tanakpur or Champawat, which can be accessed by road from the nearby cities of Haldwani and Kathgodam. The temple can also be reached by a trek of approximately 3 kilometers from the nearby village of Thuligaad, which is located on the banks of the Kali River.

 

 

Hemkund Sahib

Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh shrine located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 4,632 meters (15,197 feet) above sea level in the Chamoli district. The shrine is situated on the banks of a glacial lake called Hemkund, which is surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks, collectively known as the Hemkund Parvat.

According to Sikh tradition, Hemkund Sahib is the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, meditated in his previous life. The shrine is also believed to be the place where Guru Gobind Singh received enlightenment and merged with the divine.

Hemkund Sahib is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs and Hindus and is accessible only by foot on horseback and Helicopter from the nearby town of Govindghat. The trek to Hemkund Sahib is approximately 13 kilometers long and is considered to be moderately difficult, with steep ascents and descents along the way. The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and passes through several picturesque villages and waterfalls.

The shrine consists of a white marble structure with a gold-plated dome, which houses the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikh faith. The glacial lake near the shrine is also considered to be holy and is believed to have healing properties.

 

Here is the bonus for you guys…

Dhari devi

Dhari Devi Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Uttarakhand state of India, situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali, who is also known as Dhari Devi. It is believed to be one of the 108 Shakti Peethas, where the upper teeth of Goddess Sati fell according to Hindu mythology.

The temple is situated on a hilltop and can be reached by a short trek of around 300 meters from the road. The temple is famous for its beautiful architecture and is considered to be an important pilgrimage site in the region.

Dhari Devi Temple gained significance during the construction of the Srinagar Hydroelectric Power Project on the Alaknanda River. According to local folklore, the goddess Dhari Devi was angry at the construction of the dam and warned the workers not to proceed. When her warnings were ignored, she is said to have cursed the project and caused a massive flood in 2013, which resulted in widespread damage and loss of life.

After the flood, there was a controversy regarding the relocation of the temple, as it was believed that the goddess had become angry due to the relocation of her idol during the construction of the dam. However, the temple was eventually relocated to a higher location nearby, and the old temple site is now submerged under the waters of the dam reservoir.