Rudranath

Rudranath Tour offers an exceptional journey for devotees and trekkers. Combining spirituality with adventure and natural beauty in India’s Himalayas is rare but rewarding; with breathtaking temple views amidst silver mountain peaks a delight, plus alpine meadows and dense forests adorned with unique plants and animals along its route to its holy shrine – truly magical moments can be had at Rudranath Tour!

History and Mythology of Rudranath

Rudranath is deeply rooted in the legends of the Mahabharata. According to Hindu mythology, the temple’s origin is tied to the story of the Pandavas. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness for killing their kin. However, Lord Shiva, reluctant to grant them absolution, disguised himself as a bull (Nandi) and hid in the Himalayas.

In their quest, the Pandavas discovered Shiva at different locations, each representing a different part of his body. Rudranath is where Shiva’s face appeared, hence it is known as the site where his “rudra” (angry) face is worshipped. The other Panch Kedar temples—Kedarnath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar—are associated with different parts of Shiva’s body.

The temple is believed to have been discovered by Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher who revived Hinduism in India. The site has since become one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand.

Architecture and Surroundings

Rudranath Temple is a small stone structure, typical of the ancient Himalayan temples, blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The temple enshrines a Shivalinga shaped like a human face, which is the primary object of worship. The atmosphere of the temple is charged with spirituality, heightened by its remote and tranquil location.

Rudranath can best be enjoyed from May to June and September to October when weather is conducive for trekking. At these times, visitors will find less people at the temple and can fully take in its scenic beauty.

Rudranath can be reached from Sagar Village in Gopeshwar Mandal of Chamoli district after traveling approximately 250 kilometres from Rishikesh; approximately 9-10 hours is required for its completion. Joshimath, another popular pilgrimage town located approximately 60 kilometres away serves as Lord Badrinath’s winter seat.

The Trek to Rudranath

Reaching Rudranath requires a challenging trek, as it is one of the most remote temples among the Panch Kedar. The trek begins from various points, with the most common starting points being Sagar Village (about 22 kilometers from Gopeshwar) or Helang, near Joshimath.