The Himalayas are home to some of the world’s most breathtaking temples. From Kedarnath to Yamnotri to Kalpeshwar, there’s a place for every visitor. There are more than 5,000 temples scattered throughout the area, and it’s easy to get lost in the many mystical sights.
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is located in a snow-covered region in the Himalayas. It is closed for pilgrims during Kartik, when the idol is transferred to Urvi Math in the valley. The temple opens again for pilgrims in the month of Baisakh. Tourists come here to witness the Nanda Deepa.
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. It is a Hindu temple of great spiritual value and history. It is located near the source of the Mandakini river. This pilgrimage site is part of the Chhota char Dham pilgrimage, which is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India. Visitors flock to this site every year to honor Lord Shiva, the creator of the universe.
Visitors can access the temple by two different routes. The earlier route was more difficult to access, but after the devastating flood in 2013, new routes were built to allow people to reach Kedarnath. The Sonprayag route, which leads to Kedarnath via Vasuki Tal, is the less demanding route. It takes just two to three days and covers 22 to 24 kilometers.
Yamnotri Temple
The Yamnotri temple is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas. Perched on a rocky peak, this shrine is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna. The temple is surrounded by thermal springs. The deity is made from black marble.
The temple has a massive and ornate construction. Its main statue is of Lord Vishnu holding a conch and chakra in two of His four hands. Other murtis can be seen on the pillars. The temple also has murtis of Lakshya and Narada.
The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, which falls in April or May. After Diwali, the whole area is covered in snow. The area is a popular destination for pilgrims. The temple is an ideal destination for those seeking peace and tranquility.
The temple is located at an altitude of 3050 m above sea level. The icy lingam of Lord Shiva is considered the ‘chief of the deities’ and is the main object of worship here. The temple is located near Kanak Chauri Village, which is about 40 km from the center of Rudraprayag. Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple each year to seek immortality.
Kalpeshwar Temple
Located in the picturesque Urgham Valley, Kalpeshwar Temple is an incredible destination for pilgrims. Despite its remote location, the temple is surrounded by lush greenery and offers spectacular views of the Himalayas. Its proximity to the River Nala and the Devprayag peaks makes it an ideal destination for trekking.
The temple is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva meditated here and it is believed that a visit to Kalpeshwar will wash away all sins. This temple is a favorite of Shivites and other worshipers of Lord Shiva.
The temple is situated at an elevation of 4,267 meters. It can be reached on foot from Ukhimath. The route starts at the village of Uniana, which is about 18 km from Ukhimath. The temple is considered the fourth of the Panch Kedar temples.
Rudranath Temple
The Rudranath Temples in Himalayas is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is located at 3,600 metres in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand, India. The shrine is surrounded by dense forests of rhododendron dwarfs and Alpine pastures.
Visit Rudranath Temple during the monsoon or the summer for cool weather and a chance to see the beautiful greenery. However, heavy rains may make driving to Rudranath challenging and dangerous. In winter, temperatures may drop below 4 degrees Celsius. The Rudranath temple is a 21-km trek from Gopeshwar village.
The Rudranath Temples in Himalayas is an ancient Hindu cave temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. This temple is located in the Gharwal region of the greater Himalayan ranges in India. It is an especially popular pilgrimage destination during the panch kedhar seasons, when the area is full of pilgrims.
Tungnath Temple
The Tungnath temple is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world. It is also one of the five Panch Kedar temples and is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the valley formed by the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers.
To reach Tungnath, you can take a bus or drive to Chopta, a small town located in Uttarakhand state. There are frequent buses between Chopta and major towns, including the town of Tungnath. The trip takes about five to six hours and is well worth the effort.
The temple is associated with the epic Mahabharata. It was the place where Vyas Rishi told the Pandavas that they were guilty of killing their brothers and they should be pardoned by Lord Shiva.
Madmaheshwar Temple
Madmaheshwar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in the Himalayas, and is home to Lord Shiva. It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas, in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 3,497 meters. After Madmaheshwar, the second highest temple in the Himalayas is Kalpeshwar. The temple was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era.
This holy site is a part of the Panch Kedar, and is accessible all year round. While winters in the Himalayas can be brutal, summer months are usually milder. This temple is also part of the Hindu pilgrimage circuit and is known for its culture and tradition.
The Madhyamaheshwar Temple is one of the most popular and sacred temples in the Himalayas. A high-altitude destination, it is surrounded by verdant valleys, offering magnificent views of the Himalayas. Visitors can also observe endangered species that live in the region.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Uttarakhand is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva’s aspect of Nilkanth. It is about 32 km from Rishikesh and is built in the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The temple is a popular destination for pilgrims from across the world.
The temple is located at the confluence of the Pankaja and Madhumati rivers. It is said to have been the site of the Samudramanthan, where Lord Shiva was bitten by poison but did not die. The temple is adorned by devotees from all parts of Hinduism. There is also a sacred Peepal tree, where pilgrims tie threads to get their wishes fulfilled.
The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a major attraction in Rishikesh. Many followers of Lord Shiva have been drawn to this temple in recent years. It is believed that Lord Shiva rested here for several years after drinking poison. This poison is called Halahala, and came from the churning of the ocean by the asuras and devatas together. The poison stayed in Lord Shiva’s throat, causing his throat to turn blue.
Hemkund Sahib
On your way to Hemkund Sahib, you will first stop at Govindghat, a village located at the base of the trek. The village has a gurdwara and is where pilgrims spend their first night in the Himalayas. The gurdwara is spacious enough to accommodate up to 1,000 pilgrims. It has four large buildings and provides mattresses and blankets.
If you visit Hemkund Sahib, you will want to plan your visit around the dates when it is open. The best time to visit Hemkund Sahib is from 1st June to 4th October, but the winter season may prevent you from hiking through the valley.
The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, mentioned Hemkund in his writings, but only vaguely alluded to its location. Then, in the 1930s, two devout Sikhs discovered it during a cartography mission. Since then, it has become an important religious site for the Sikh community. Hindus also consider the site a holy place.
Kartik Swami Temple
The Kartik Swami temple is situated in the Himalayas. The temple is open all year round, and during the first half of June, the holy Yagna is celebrated. During this time, the Lord Kartik Swami idol stays inside the temple. The temple also celebrates Kalash Yatra and Kartik Poornima.
The temple is a great place to pray to the Hindu God Kartikeya. This deity is also known as Murugan in southern India, and is one of the most popular deities in the Himalayas. The shrine is surrounded by a deep valley, and the mystical beauty of the Himalayas is breathtaking. Inside the temple, visitors will find a beautifully carved idol of Kartik Swami.
You can trek to the Kartik Swami Temple via Kanakchauri village, which is an isolated and remote village. The people here are friendly and very welcoming, and their customs and lifestyles differ from the surrounding areas. Once you arrive at the temple, you can take a few minutes to pray at the temple.
Kailash Mansarovar Temple
Kailash Mansarovar Temple is considered as one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites. The lake itself is located at 4,590 meters above sea level, near the source of many rivers in Asia. The lake’s name comes from two Sanskrit words, Manas, which means mind, and Sarovar, which means lake. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma created the lake in his mind, and thus this lake is holy for Hindus.
Kailash is considered the abode of Lord Shiva and is an important religious site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jainas. The Kailash – Mansarovar Temple is located in Uttarakhand. Because of an Indo-Chinese border dispute, Indian pilgrims were unable to travel to Kailash-Mansarovar. However, now trips through the Lipulekh pass are conducted by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam.
The number of visitors to the Kailash Mansarovar Temple has increased significantly since the 1980s. In 2007, there were over 70,000 pilgrims in the region. The temple is located near two holy lakes, Mount Everest, and is open to non-Tibetan non-Chinese pilgrims.
Chint Purni Temple
The Chintpurni Temple is a place of pilgrimage that is located near the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. It is situated about 40 km north of Una, at an elevation of 977 meters. The town is home to a major shrine dedicated to the goddess Maa Chintpurni, one of the Shakti Peethas.
The temple’s main shrine features the image of Mata Chintpurni, which is placed in the shape of a pindi. The temple holds grand fairs during the Navratras, and pilgrims come from far and wide to worship the Goddess.
Chintpurni is well connected by road and has a good number of hotels and dharamsals for visitors to stay. There are several nearby places of interest, including Thaneek Pura, Chamunda Devi Temple, and Dharamshala Mahantan, a Buddhist monastery.
The Chintpurni Temple is one of the most revered sites in the Himalayas. The temple is located on the highest peak of the Sola Singhi range. Located on the Hoshiarpur-Dharmashala road, the temple is accessible by bus. It is open to visitors from 4am to 11pm.
Jwala Mukhi Temple
The main temple is situated on a wooden platform. It is constructed in Indo-Sikh style and has a golden dome. The main entrance has a brass bell and a canopy decorated with ornaments. The temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Tara. It is also home to a mystic Yantra.
According to legend, the goddess appeared after the demons were driven out. One day, the gods under the command of Lord Vishnu decided to extinguish the demons and created huge flames. These flames were sparked by the goddess, a beautiful young girl, whom the gods had worshipped. When Akbar learned about the goddess’ power, he decided to visit her temple. When he saw her, he tried to put out the flames but was surprised to see that she still lit them.
The temple is believed to have been constructed in ancient times. The temple has been renovated several times. It was restored by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century, and the temple’s gates were decorated with silver. Today, thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine every year. It is located about 30 kilometers south of Kangra, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The temple has a typical four-cornered design with a central pit made of hollowed stone. It is open from 4 am until 11 pm.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. It is located on a mountain in the Himalayas and attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Here we will provide information about this holy temple and how to visit it.
The original cave where the Goddess rests is open only to a few pilgrims each day. The temperatures in the cave during the winters can drop below zero. Hence, visiting this place in the winters is not recommended unless you have very good physical fitness and love snow.
The Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the top Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. It is located at an altitude of five thousand and two hundred feet in the Trikuta Mountains. The shrine is located at a distance of fourteen kilometers from Katra town. It is also close to several tourist attractions.
Amarnath Temple
Amarnath Temple is a Hindu shrine located at the height of 3,888 meters in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is approximately 168 kilometers from Anantnag city and 141 kilometers from Srinagar. You can access the shrine by driving through Pahalgam town.
Amarnath Temple is known for the Shiva Linga, which is a stalagmite formed by frozen water drops inside the cave. It slowly grows vertically into the shape of the Shiva Linga. The Shiva linga waxes and wanes with the moon, and it reaches its highest point during the summer festival. There are also two other ice formations inside the cave, representing the consort of Shiva and his son Ganesha.
Amarnath temple is open only for a few months of the year, but it is a popular pilgrimage destination. The temple, located in the Pir Panjal Ranges, is said to be sacred to Hindus. There are 40,000 Indian security forces on duty to guard the roads and keep pilgrims safe.
Badrinath Temple
Badrinath Temple is one of the top pilgrimage sites in India. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the temple resembles a traditional Buddhist monastery. Even though it is small, it still attracts many tourists. Its decorative color scheme stands out against the mountainous backdrop.
Thousands of pilgrims visit the temple every year, making it the backbone of the Garhwal Himalayan economy. On April 28, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti will begin reopening the gates to pilgrims. The idol of Lord Vishnu will stop for the night in the village of Pandukeshwar.
Nearby is Ganesh Cave, which is a four-kilometer walk from the main temple. According to legend, Lord Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata there. Sage Vyasa also wrote the epic in this cave. The natural cave offers beautiful vistas of the Himalayan range. It is also an excellent spot for nature photography.
Near the temple, visitors can also see a number of sacred sites. These include the Brahma Kapal, where ceremonies for the departed souls are held, and the Shesh Netra, where a huge stone depicts the eye of a serpent called the Shesha Nag. In addition to the temple, pilgrims can also visit the Panch Shila, which are five sacred stone slabs surrounding the Tapt Kund.
Gangotri Temple
The Gangotri temple is considered one of the most beautiful and sacred temples in the Himalayas. It was constructed in the early eighteenth century by Amar Singh Thapa. The temple does not feature elaborate pillars or artwork, but it does feature five murtis, including the one of Saraswati, flanked by Annapurna and Bhagirathi.
Located at a height of 3,100 meters on the Himalayas, Gangotri is connected to the river Ganga and is one of the most sacred and important pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. There are many other pilgrimage sites nearby, including the renowned Gaumukh.
The Gangotri temple is open from May to October. It is closed on Diwali. The festival is celebrated by Hindus in several different ways. On Diwali, the chief priest dresses up as a woman and places the murti of Lakshmi to the left of Lord Vishnu. On the fourth day, Lord Vishnu becomes Nirakar, or ‘God’.
