Uttarakhand is famous for its natural beauty, adventure sports, and historical background. Most tourists also visit here because of the Hindu temple. Uttarakhand is also known as the land of god as almost all the deities had spent some of the best time of their life in this region. Although it has numerous temples spread evenly throughout the state, today, we will discuss some of the most famous temples of Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand’s most famous temples are Kedarnath Temple, Badrinath Temple, Gangotri and Yamunotri Temple, Dhari Devi Temple, Triyuginarayan Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and others. People most love Uttrakhand because of his natural beauty. And explore nature, beauty, mountain views, and much more. Visit here for your full enjoyment.
1. Kedarnath temple
The Kedarnath temple is the most famous in Uttarakhand. Whoever loves the god Shiva is also aware of the Kedarnath temple. Kedarnath is at an altitude of 3583 meters in the lap of the Himalayan ranges in Rudraprayag District. The temple is crouched by snow-capped mountain peaks and surrounded by the meandering Mandakini River all around the temple. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the Do Dham Yatra and Char Dham Yatra. It is a dream destination for many people of all ages from all over the globe. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit this place to seek lord shiva’s blessings and admire this location’s beauty.
2. Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges on the bank of the Alaknanda River. Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known as the temple of satyuga. As per the holy scriptures, the origin of this temple is from the Vedic period, but later on, it was captured by Buddhists during the regime of Ashoka and transformed into a Buddhist monastery. In the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya re-established this temple as a Hindu pilgrimage site.
In addition to being a famous pilgrimage site, Badrinath Temple offers natural beauty and an iconic view—those seeking the blessing of Lord Vishnu with natural beauty can visit here.
3. Gangotri Temple
Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, one of the most prominent temples in the Char Dham Yatra circuit. The temple is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level in the lap of the Himalayas. The temple remains open from May to November due to heavy snowfall, which covers this region and remains inaccessible to the general public.
Every year, it attracts millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification. You can also visit here to seek the blessings of Maa Ganga and admire the beauty of the surroundings.
4. Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri Temple is located in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand at 3293 meters above sea level. It is located at the origin of one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism, i.e, Maa Yamuna, and hence it got its name as Yamunotri temple.
According to mythology, the temple has its roots in the myth that the goddess Yamuna was born at the place to purify sinners. The temple of Yamunotri is devoted to the goddess Yamuna. On the journey to Char Dham Yatra, we generally start at the Yamunotri temple. So visit this temple to seek the blessings of maa Yamuna.
5. Dhari Devi Temple
Dhari Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples on the Char Dham route and is considered the protector god of the Char Dham temples. The temple is approximately 1,700 meters above sea level and is regarded as one of the holiest abode of Maa Kali, located along the bank of the Alaknanda River. In this temple, the upper body part of Maa Kali is being worshipped. The lower body part is believed to be worshipped in Kalimath temple near Guptkashi. It has been an important pilgrimage center for devotees to receive blessings and spiritual solace. A fair is celebrated annually in the region and is famous as the ‘Dhari Devi Fair.’
6. Triyuginarayan Temple
It was also helpful to know that this place is considered one of the locations where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It is also known as the Ahand Dhuni temple due to the perpetual fire burning in the compound of this temple, which is believed to have lived since the marriage ceremony of the deities.
It is located in Rudraprayag District, at an altitude of 1,980 meters (6,496 feet). It is situated in the panoramic valleys close to Kedarnath. You can also visit this temple during the Kedarnath tour. The best time to visit here is from April to June. These are the months when the weather is usually good.
8. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, a famous pilgrimage site in the Indian state of Uttarakhand near Rishikesh, is associated with Lord Shiva. Built in the lap of a Himalayan forest, it is renowned for its spiritual and peaceful environment. It is said that, during the process of churning the ocean, poison was produced, which was detrimental to everyone. And Lord Shiva consumed it, and his throat turned blue, hence the name Neelkanth. And if you love God, Shiva can also visit the Neelkanth Mahadev temple. The temple attracts people who seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
9. Ukhimath Temple
Ukhimath Temple is one of the most famous religious places in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, especially among the devotees of Lord Shiva. This temple is located at a height of 1,317 meters (4,320 feet) above sea level and acts as the winter sanctuary of the Kedarnath deity, as the temple remains closed in winter due to snowfall. The temple, situated in the lap of the Himalayas, offers a peaceful place for prayers and meditation. Also, visit here; it is the best place to enjoy and receive Lord Shiva’s blessings.
10. Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Last but not least, Madhyamaheshwar Temple is another gem of Uttarakhand located in Rudraprayag District. It is the most famous temple known for its pristine natural beauty. Madhyamaheshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Madhyamaheshwar is one of the five Kedars, the shrines of Lord Shiva located throughout the country. The temple is believed to have been constructed at the very spot where Lord Shiva emerged out of ‘Madhya,’ which is the middle part of His divine body; thus, the name ‘Madhy’ places it indispensably in the salvation map of the Lord for the faithful. If you plan a trip, you can also visit here.
Conclusion
Unlike other shrines, these ten temples are spiritual, historical, and ethnographic landmarks and unique natural wonders inherent in Uttarakhand. The legend, architecture, and religious importance of each temple are different. Travelling to places of devotion equals proper pilgrimage and spiritual transformation, just as visiting the incredible Himalayas does. If solitude, spirituality, or even the hopes of linking to the world’s oldest religions are sought, then the temples of Uttarakhand leave one with a life and a relic of something extraordinary.