Panch Kedars of Uttarakhand: 5 divine Shiva temples and how to reach them

Uttarakhand is known as Devbhoomi or ‘Land of the Gods’, for a reason. The Indian state is home to some of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage destinations and among its many sacred sites, the Panch Kedar temples, namely Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar.
For those who don’t know, these are five sacred Shiva temples set in the Garhwal Himalayas. These temples are where devotees visit only with some divine energies. These temples are not religiously important but also a natural wonder.

According to the Hindu scriptures, these temples are linked to the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. The brothers sought Shiva’s forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war and the Lord eluded them by taking the form of a bull, and his body parts are believed to have reappeared in different locations across the Himalayas.
Every place where he reappeared represents a part of Shiva's divine form and are known as the Panch Kedars today. Let’s have a look.

Kalpeshwar is the only temple among Panch Kedars that can be visited throughout the year, unlike others on the list. The temple, at 2,200 meters, is located in the serene Urgam Valley, the temple is set amidst terraced fields and deep forests.
How to Reach:
Base point: Helang on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway is the base of the trek.
Trek: From Helang, drive or walk to Devgram village, followed by a short 300-meter trek to the temple.

It is believed that Shiva appeared here in the form of a bull and that’s why it is also known as the ‘Hump of Shiva’. This hump is now worshipped as a Shiva Lingam at the Kedarnath Temple. Kedarnath temple which is set at an elevation of 3,583 m, is one of the most prominent temples among the Panch Kedar. It is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

May to October is considered the best time to visit the temple. The temple remains shut during winter due to heavy snowfall.

How to Reach:
By air: The nearest airport to the temple is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It is some 238 km from Gaurikund, the base for the Kedarnath trek.
By rail: The nearest railheads to the temple are located in Rishikesh and Haridwar. From here, you can take private cabs and taxis.
Trek: To reach the temple, devotees need to trek from Gaurikund which is about 16–17 km uphill.

Madhyamaheshwar, set at an altitude of 3,497 meters, is another famous temple built in classic North Indian style. The Shiva lingam here is shaped like a navel. The surrounding region offers awe-inspiring views of peaks like Chaukhamba and Kedarnath.
How to Reach:
Base village Ransi, which is about 24 km from Ukhimath.Trek From Ransi, the temple is about an 18 km trek through gorgeous terrain via Gaundhar and Bantoli villages.

Rudranath, a temple situated at around 3,550 meters, is enveloped by thick forests and alpine meadows. The temple houses a Shiva lingam and many sacred ponds like Surya Kund and Chandra Kund. It is considered one of the most spiritually charged temples. The best time to visit this temple is considered between June to September.
How to Reach:
Base: Sagar or Lyuti Bugyal are the base villages. These are accessible from Gopeshwar.
Trek: It is a demanding 20 km trek through dense forests and meadows. It usually takes 2 days with a stopover at Panar or Pitradhar.

For those who don’t know, Tungnath, standing tall at a height of 3,680 meters, is the highest Shiva Temple in the world! It is believed that Tungnath is built on the spot where ‘Arms of Shiva’ appeared. The temple is also close to Chandrashila Peak and offers panoramic views of the Himalayas.
The best time to visit the temple would be between May and November.

How to Reach
Base location You need to reach Chopta from where the temple is accessible via road from Rishikesh (210 km) or Ukhimath.
Trek From Chopta, it’s a 3.5 km trek to the temple.