Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple in Uttarakhand

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Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple in uttarakhand

Kalpeshwar Mahadev is a temple located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The temple was built by the Pandavas during the Dwaparyug and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this article we will learn everything related to the temple from its historical significance to its current relevance. We have also discussed briefly about the Kalpeshwar Mahadev trek and different ways of reaching the temple.

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Where is Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple?

The Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple is located in the Urgam valley in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand. The temple is elevated at a height of 2200 km above the sea level. This is the fifth temple of the panch kedar and dedicated to Lord Shiva. The nearest railway station to Kalpeshwar Mahadev is in Rishikesh which is at a distance of 250 km from the temple. The nearest airport to Kalpeshwar Mahadev is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is at a distance of 270 km from the temple.

Significance of Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple in history

The temple holds a major significance in the Indian history. Lord Shiva’s hair were found near the Urgam valley, that is why the temple was built there. Kalpeshwar Mahadev was built by the Pandavas to worship the hair locks (jata) of Shiva.

The Legends Of Kalpeshwar:

After killing their cousins in the Mahabharata, Pandavas set out on a journey to find Lord Shiva who was upset by their act of violence towards their own blood. The Pandavas went to Varanasi in search of Lord Shiva but could not find him there. Shiva hid himself in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and disguised himself as a bull (Nandi).

Bhima, the second Pandava was able to recognise Shiva and went close to him. Shiva immediately disappeared from there and later his body parts were found at five different places which came to be known as the panch kedar.

Kalpeshwar’s Role In The Panch Kedar:

It is believed that the back of Shiva was found in Kedarnath, face in Rudranath, hands in Tungnath, stomach and navel in Madhyamaheshwar and hair locks (jata) at Kalpeshwar Mahadev.

So, Kalpeshwar is known for the worship of Shiva’s hair.

Route of the Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple Trek

The Kalpeshwar Mahadev trek starts at the Urgam village and it is a 1 km trekking distance to the temple. Earlier there was no transportation available to Urgam village and devotees had to travel from Helang to Kalpeshwar which was a 10 km trekking distance.

Since the Kalpeshwar temple is only known for its historical significance and does not hold much to explore around, people trek a distance of further 38 kilometres to reach the Rudranath temple.

You can go to Rudranath by directly starting with the trek from Kalpeshwar or driving from Kalpeshwar to Sagar village. From Sagar village there is a further trekking distance of 20 kilometres to the Rudranath Temple.

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Some Essential Tips For The Trek:

1. It takes about 2 to 3 days to complete the track from Kalpeshwar to Rudranath.

2. Make sure to start early in the morning from Kalpeshwar Temple.

3. Carry enough food and water with yourself as you may not find many shops on the way.

4. Carry all the first aid necessities with yourself like bandages, some medicines and self care.

5. Do not forget to carry some warm clothes with yourself as you may find the weather of the mountains slightly lower than that of the plains.

6. Get an idea about the weather before planning a trek. The best time for the trek is from mid May to mid June.

How To get to Kalpeshwar:

Delhi To Kalpeshwar:

Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple is located in the Chamoli district of the state of Uttarakhand. It is a total of 487.8 km from the state of Delhi.

You can either start from Delhi by train to Rishikesh or you can fly from Delhi to Dehradun by aeroplane.

How To Reach Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple

Rishikesh/Dehradun to Kalpeshwar:

There are buses available from Rishikesh and Dehradun for the Urgam Valley. You have to take a bus which is going to either Joshimath, Auli or Badrinath. This bus will take you to Helang.

Helang To Kalpeshwar:

Get down at Helang where you will find multiple taxis and sharing autos to the Urgam valley. From Urgam Village you can trek the further distance of 1 km to the temple.

Watch This Video To See How Kalpeshwar Mahadev Looks

Highlights of the Weather and accessibility at Kalpeshwar Temple

1. Kalpeshwar is the only temple of the Panch Kedar Pilgrimage that remains open throughout the year.

2. The temple opens at 6:00 a.m. in the morning and closes at 7:00 p.m. in the evening.

3. The best months to visit Kalpeshwar temple are suggested to be April, May, June, September and October.

4. It is suggested to not visit the Kalpeshwar temple during monsoon season as you may find difficulty while trekking towards the temple.

5. The current weather at Kalpeshwar temple is around 14°C.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple located?

The kalpeshwar Mahadev temple is located in the Chamoli district of the state of Uttarakhand.

What is the significance of Kalpeshwar in Panch Kedar?

Kalpeshwar temple is known to be the place where Lord Shiva’s matted hair (jata) were found.

How long is the trek to Kalpeshwar?

Kalpeshwar is at of 1 km trekking distance from the Urgam village.

What is the current weather in Kalpeshwar?

Currently the weather at kalpeshwar temple is around 14°C.

Are there any accommodations near Kalpeshwar?

There are not much accommodations near the Kalpeshwar temple but you can find a home stay in the Urgam village.

What is the best time to visit Kalpeshwar Mahadev Temple?

The best time to visit the Kalpeshwar temple is April, May, June, September and October.

Is there a direct trek from Kalpeshwar to Rudranath?

You can either start your trek directly from Kalpeshwar to Rudranath or go to Sagar village and then trek from their to Rudranath.

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