Kalpeshwar Temple is one of the most pious places of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. It is part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimages of the state and is the place where the Jata or matted tresses of Lord Shiva is worshipped. Lord Shiva is known as Jatadhari or Jateshwar in this region because of this. The other Shiva temples are located in Kedarnath, Rudranath, Madhya Mahesh and Tunganath. They are all in the Himalayan region.

Location

Kalpeshwar Temple is located in the famous and highly picturesque Urgam Valley in the Garhwal region in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the five temples of the Panch Kedar but the only one that remains open right through the year. The temple is at an altitude of 7218 feet above sea level. The place attracts thousands of visitors who love to take in the stunning view of nature and the calm, peaceful surroundings that make one of the best places in the region for meditation.

History

The history of the temple can be traced back to the times of Mahabharata. According to a popular legend, the Pandavas were looking for Lord Shiva to seek his absolution for the sins committed by them during the historic Kurukshetra battle of the Mahabharata. When Shiva knew learnt about this, he decided to keep himself away from the Pandavas and transformed into a bull.

After searching all over the place, Bhīma recognized the actual face behind the bull. The Pandavas caught hold of the bull's tail and back legs to prevent the bull from escaping. Lord Shiva did escape and disappeared underground to eventually reappear in parts in five different regions. Folklore has it that the arm of the bull was found in Tunganath, the hump was found in Kedarnath, the head of the bull was discovered at Rudranath, the navel and the stomach area was found in Madhyamaheswar and the tresses appeared in Kalpeshwar.

Attractions

Every year, Kalpeshwar Temple attracts thousands of tourists, not only from India but from various parts of the world. Kalpeshwar has lots to offer to nature lovers and tourists with an adventurist streak. There are entrancing environs to wander through, where peace and serenity exists in abundance. The natural beauty of the Urgham valley is stunning and keeps you glued to the place.

The journey to Kalpeshwar can be commenced from Haridwar or Rishikesh and passes through Devprayag and Urgam village. You have to trek through the Urgham valley for a distance of two kilometers. On the route are dense apple orchards and fruit-laded trees that make the journey highly enjoyable. The enchanting mountain ranges, calmly flowing lakes and flowing springs provide a fascinating sight.

Best Time to Visit

Summer season is warm and sunny with clear skies offering a brilliant view of the areas around Kalpeshwar. Monsoon season is the best time to visit as the place transforms to a splendid carpet of greenery of various hues. Winters are extremely cold and can be extremely tough to negotiate. It is important to carry sufficient warm clothes to be able to withstand the challenges of the winter season.

How to Reach

By Road

The easiest way to reach the temple is by road. The Urgam valley is on the Badrinath-Rishikesh road at a distance of approximately 250 km. There are good number of buses, cars and taxis plying on the route.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Rishikesh which is about 250 km away from the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun which is approximately 270 km from the temple.