Uttarakhand, a beautiful state located in northern India, is known as Devbhoomi, or the “Land of the Gods.” You will find mountains, rivers, and natural wonders all over the state. But the most unique thing about Uttarakhand is their ancient temples. These temples are not just places of religion, but are also treasures of history, culture, and architecture. People visit Uttarakhand from all over the world to visit the temples and to feel the peace found across the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand has some of the most famous holy locations in India, and the most well known of those are the Char Dham: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. These temples are thousands of years old and are mentioned in a many of ancient stories and scriptures. The 10 famous temples of uttarakhand include Char Dham, Mansa Devi , Chandi Devi, Kaichi Dham, Dhari Devi and many others.
In the article, you will learn about the 10 most famous temples of Uttarakhand, the stories, their significance, and what attracts millions of people to visit every year.
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is among the most significant and holy temples across India. It is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. This temple is one of the important part of the Char Dham Yatra of uttarakhand and also Panch Kedar. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is located in the Garhwal Himalayas at an approximate altitude of 3583 meters. In 2013 when the massive flood came in Kedarnath this temple managed to survive the floods and many people call it a miracle. Today,the rock which protected the temple is worshipped as the God’s Rock. Devotees come to Kedarnath not only for blessings but also to enjoy the calming experience of the mountains which makes it one of the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand.
History of Kedarnath temple
The history of Kedarnath Temple is very ancient and related to many Hindu myths. According to the myth, the temple was built by Pandavas. After the Kurukshetra war, they came to the Himalayas to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva. It is believed that Shiva took the shape of a bull and appeared at Kedarnath. The architecture of the temple is strong and was built with big blocks of stone that survived heavy snowstorms, harsh weather, and natural disasters.
Location & How to Reach
Kedarnath is located in near to Mandakini River. To reach the temple, people need to arrive in Gaurikund and the rest is a trek about 16km to reach the temple. Helicopter services, ponies or palkis are available in Kedarnath for those who cannot walk the whole distance.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Kedarnath Temple is from May to November, as the temple remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall. The weather during summer is cool and pleasant, which makes the journey comfortable. In numbers lakhs of devotees reach here thats why comes in the category of 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand.
Badrinath Temple
The temple is situated in the Garhawal HImalayas along the banks of the Alaknanda river in Chamoli district in uttarakhand. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also one of the most important and sacred temples in India. Being among the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand, the temple stands at an altitude of 3,133 meters, where Nar parbat stands oppostie to the temple while Narayan Parbat is located behind the Neelkanth peak. It is one of the the Panch Badri temple. The other panch badri temples includes – vishal badri, yogadhyan badri, bhavishya badri, vridh badri and Adi badri. This temple is also considered one of the holiest Hindu Char dham sites including Rameswaram, Badrinath, puri and Dwarka.
Significance in Hindu Mythology
The story of Badrinath goes back thousands of years. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu meditated here for a long time. During his meditation, Goddess Lakshmi stood beside him in the form of a Badri tree to protect him from the cold. Pleased by the devotion of Lakshmi, Vishnu named the place Badrika Ashrama. The temple is considered a gateway to moksha. Many saints, rishis, and devotees have visited this holy place throughout history.
Pilgrimage Season
The temple opens in April or May and closes around October or November every year. The exact dates depend on the weather. During winter, the temple area is covered with heavy snow, so the idol of Lord Vishnu is taken to Jyotirmath (Joshimath), for worship. People from different regions come here thats why it becomes the top 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand.
Gangotri Temple
Gangotri temple is one of the temple among the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, one of the holy river worshipped in India. This temple is situated in the Uttarkashi district at an height of approximately 3100 meters. Gangotri is also an important part of the Char Dham yatra including Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers during festivals such as Ganga Dussehra and Diwali.
Importance of the Chota Char Dham
Gangotri Temple is one of the four main temples of the Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand. It is believed that if a person visits all of these temples they will achieve peace of mind and spiritual growth. Gangotri is also considered to be the origin of the Ganga River.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims come to the temple to receive the blessings of Goddess Ganga and experience the spiritual power of the temple. Gangotri is also quite famous among trekkers and nature lovers for its stunning scenery.
Best Time to Visit
The temple typically opens around April or May and then closes in October or November. The ideal time to go to Gangotri is from May to June and then September to October. In winter the entire region receives a lot of snowfall and so the idol of the Goddess Ganga to be moved to Mukhba village for worship. The summer weather is cool and pleasant, making it a great time for pilgrims and tourists.
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Yamunotri Temple
Yamunotri Temple is another famous temple among the 10 famous temple of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, who is considered the sister of Yama (the God of death). The temple lies in the Uttarkashi district at a height of around 3,293 meters, surrounded by snow-covered mountains, thick forests, and natural hot springs. Yamunotri is also the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra, making it the first stop for thousands of pilgrims every year. The peaceful environment, cool breeze, and the sound of the river together create a magical atmosphere that touches every visitor’s heart.
Hot Springs and Natural Attractions:
Yamunotri is known for its natural hot springs, the Surya Kund. The water in this kund is extremely hot; people use to cook rice or potatoes by simply dipping cloth bags full of these items into the hot water. This cooked rice or potatoes are then taken home as Prasad.
Trek Route Information:
Yamunotri Temple has a beautiful 5-6km trek from Janki Chatti. On the trek, you will see waterfalls, tall trees and beautiful views of the mountains. The trek is not too difficult, but does take some stamina to complete. For those who are unable to walk up to the temple there are options for travel – Ponies, Palki (porter-carried), or Kandi (a kind of basket put on back).
Tungnath Temple
Tungnath Temple is one of the most beautiful and spiritually important temples in Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for being the highest Shiva temple in the world, located at a height of around 3,680 meters in the Rudraprayag district. This temple is also part of the Panch Kedar, a group of five important Shiva temples in Uttarakhand. It comes under the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. Many people come for the trekking in Tungnath. The trek to Tungnath is about 3.5 km from a small village called Chopta, also known as the “Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand”
Why Tungnath is Special
The history of Tungnath is connected with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas wanted forgiveness for the sins of war. Lord Shiva was upset with them, so he assumed the form of a bull (Nandi) and hid in the Garhwal region. Bhima, the second Pandav brother, recognised the bull to be Shiva. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tungnath, the face showing up at Rudranath, the nabhi and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar and the hair appearing in Kalpeshwar. After that, the Pandavas built temples at the five places for worshipping Shiva.
Best Time to Explore
The best time to visit Tungnath Temple is from April to November. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the trekking route is open. In winter, the temple remains closed because of heavy snow, and the idol is moved to Ukhimath for worship.
Mansa Devi Temple (Haridwar)
Mansa Devi Temple is one of the most popular and most visited temples in Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, who is believed to be the goddess who fulfills the wishes of her devotees. Because of its spiritual importance and the large number of devotees who visit throughout the year, Mansa Devi Temple is often listed among the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand, especially when talking about Haridwar’s major pilgrimage spots.
A very famous custom at the temple is tying a thread on the sacred tree near the shrine. People tie this thread with a wish in their hearts, and when the wish comes true, they return to the temple to untie it. This tradition is followed by thousands of people every year.
Location and significance
- Location: The Mansa Devi Temple is situated on the Bilwa Parvat on the Shivalik Hills, in Haridwar.
- Deity: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi and it is believed that the Goddess came into existence from the mind of Lord Shiva.
- Significance: The Mansa Devi Temple is one of the three Peeths in Haridwar, the other two being Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple. Many devotees visit the temple to pray for good health, success, and happiness.
Ropeway Ride
One of the best things about visiting Mansa Devi Temple is the exciting ropeway ride, also known as “Mansa Devi Udankhatola.” For people who enjoy walking, there is also a 1.5 km uphill trek that passes through beautiful natural surroundings.
Festival Celebrations
Mansa Devi Temple becomes extremely lively during festivals. The biggest celebrations take place during: Navratri, Kumbh Mela, Ganga Dussehra
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Chandi Devi Temple
Chandi Devi Temple is another very important and sacred temple located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, a powerful form of Goddess Parvati. The temple stands on the Neel Parvat hill on the eastern side of the holy River Ganga. Because of its height, the temple offers a beautiful view of Haridwar and the surrounding hills. It is one of the Siddh Peeths, places where wishes are believed to be fulfilled.
Many devotees from different regions comes here to take blessings of Maa Chandi Devi. The temple becomes crowded during weekends, holidays, and festivals. Therefore, Chandi devi temple becomes the temples among the 10 famous temples of uttarakhand especially due to its spiritual importance and high number of visitors every year.
History & Legends
The history of Chandi Devi Temple goes back more than 1,300 years. According to ancient stories, two demon brothers named Shumbha and Nishumbha troubled the gods and captured the heavens. The gods prayed to Goddess Parvati for help. She then took the form of Goddess Chandi and fought bravely against the demons. It is believed that she killed the demon kings right at the place where the temple stands today.
Ropeway & Trek Routes
To reach the temple one has to take either 3km trekking route from Chandighat or just like Mansa Devi Temple Chandi Devi temple also has an exciting ropeway ride known as the Chandi Devi Udankhatola.
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is one of the most sacred and beautifully located temples among the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here in the form of Neelkanth, meaning “the blue-throated one.” This name comes from the famous Hindu story of Samudra Manthan, the churning of the ocean, where Shiva drank the deadly poison to save the universe. The poison turned his throat blue, and that is why he is called Neelkanth.
Location, Significance & Temple Architecture
The temple is situated around 32 km from Rishikesh and about 120 km from Pauri town. IIt is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan.. Because of its peaceful and holy environment, the temple attracts lakhs of pilgrims and tourists every year. The temple architecture is very much influenced by the Dravidian style of temple architecture.
Mythological Importance
According to Hindu mythology, the place where the temple stands today is believed to be the place where the poison fell after Lord Shiva consumed the poison that originated from the sea when Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean in order to obtain Amrita. This poison that emanated during the Samudramanthan made his throat blue in color.
Festivals & Fairs
Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important festival celebrated in this temple many devotees comes to the temple during the festival. Also two fairs are held annually on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and Shivratri of Shraavan, during which a large number of devotees known as Kawarias comes from Haridwar to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.
Dhari Devi Temple
Dhari Devi Temple is one of the most unique and powerful temples among the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Goddess Dhari Devi, who is believed to be a form of Goddess Kali. The temple is located in the middle of the Alaknanda River, near Srinagar in Uttarakhand. Because water surrounds it from all sides, the temple looks very special and peaceful. She is called the “Guardian Goddess of Uttarakhand.”
Mythology and Importance
There is a popular belief about the idol of Dhari Devi that it changes its form:
- The upper half of the idol is worshipped at Dhari Devi Temple.
- The lower half is worshipped at Kalimath Temple.
People believed that the idol of Dhari Devi should never be moved, or it may bring bad luck to the region. This belief became stronger after the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. Many locals say the disaster happened just a few hours after the idol was moved for a construction project for the 330 MW Alaknanda Hydro Electric Dam built by Alaknanda Hydro Power Company Ltd (AHPCL). Because of this, the temple is considered very powerful, and people respect it deeply.
Kainchi Dham Temple
Kainchi Dham Temple is among the most popular spiritual ashram in Uttarakhand and often included in the discussions about the 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. It is located near Nainital, surrounded by hills, forests, and a clear flowing river beside the temple. This temple is dedicated to one of the great saints, Neem Karoli Baba, who was known for love, wisdom, and spiritual power.
Who Was Neem Karoli Baba?
Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj Ji, was a highly respected Hindu saint. He dedicated his life to serving and helping the weak, to guiding others spiritually, and encourage love and kindness. Many famous personalities, including Steve Jobs, Mark Zukerberg, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma all have visited this famous temple of Uttarakhand that is among the category of 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand.
Special Events
The biggest event that takes place in Kainchi Dham is the foundation of Kainchi Dham temple, celebrated every year on 15 June. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on that day. A special bhandara for all guest attendees, and the entire day is full of worship, music, and bhajans.
Conclusion
Uttarakhand truly deserves the title “Devbhoomi – Land of the Gods.” These 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand are not just religious places of worship, but they are part of the story of Uttarakhand culture, ancient history, and spiritual power. The temple teach us the value of faith, the power of peace, and beauty of Uttarakhand Culture. Each temple possesses its own story, beauty, and power that why comes in the category of 10 famous temples of Uttarakhand. Some temples are located in high altitude of the Himalayas where the air is fresh, and the view is breathtaking; some temples are surrounded by forests, rivers and peaceful valleys and together they contribute toward making Uttarakhand one of the most spiritually rich places in the world.
