Rudranath Temple Uttarakhand is one of the five temples that form the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is situated at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) above sea level, surrounded by a dense forest of rhododendron dwarfs and alpine pastures. The temple is known for its natural rock formation that resembles the face of Shiva, which is worshipped as “Neelkantha Mahadeva” here. The temple also offers a panoramic view of the majestic peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.

History and Legend of Rudranath Temple Uttarakhand

The history and legend of Rudranath Temple are closely linked to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which narrates the story of the Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who were cousins and descendants of King Bharata. The Pandavas emerged victorious in the war, but they were grief-stricken by the death and destruction they had caused. They decided to renounce their kingdom and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, who was displeased with them for killing their own kin and Brahmins, the priestly class.

The Pandavas first went to Varanasi, the holy city of Shiva, but they could not find him there. They then followed his trail to the Garhwal Himalayas, where Shiva had assumed the form of a bull (Nandi) and hidden himself in the ground. Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, spotted the bull near Guptakashi and tried to catch it by its tail and hind legs. However, the bull broke into pieces and reappeared at different locations.

The hump appeared at Kedarnath, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and the hair at Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas built temples at each of these places to worship Shiva and appease him.

According to another legend, when Shiva was hiding in the form of a bull, he was spotted by a shepherd boy named Bholanath, who started playing with him. Shiva was pleased with the boy’s innocence and revealed his true form to him. He also blessed him with a wish. The boy wished that Shiva would always stay with him as his friend. Shiva agreed and took the form of a rock face at Rudranath, where Bholanath would visit him every day.

Architecture and Features of Rudranath Temple

Rudranath Temple is a simple structure made of stone, without any elaborate carvings or sculptures. The temple has a small sanctum sanctorum that houses the rock face of Shiva, which is covered with a white cloth. The rock face has a serene smile and a gaze of pure benevolence in its eyes. The temple also has a small porch with four pillars that support a flat roof.

The temple is surrounded by several sacred ponds or kunds that are believed to have healing properties. Some of these are Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund. There are also many shrines dedicated to other deities such as Parvati, Ganesh, Nandi, Hanuman and Kedar Khand around the temple.

The temple is accessible only by trekking from either Sagar village or Mandal village, which are about 20 km and 24 km away from the temple respectively. The trek passes through scenic meadows, forests and waterfalls. The best time to visit the temple is from May to October, when the weather is pleasant and the flowers are in full bloom.

Also read : Tunganath : One of Most height Temple of Lord Shiva.

Significance and Festivals of Rudranath Temple

Rudranath Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred and auspicious places for Shiva devotees. It is believed that by visiting this temple, one can attain salvation or moksha from the cycle of birth and death. It is also said that by meditating here, one can attain spiritual enlightenment or nirvana.

The temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year that attract pilgrims from far and wide. Some of these are:

• Maha Shivaratri: This is the most important festival dedicated to Shiva that falls in February or March. On this day, devotees observe fasts, offer prayers and perform rituals to honour Shiva.
• Basant Panchami: This is a festival that marks the arrival of spring season that falls in January or February. On this day, devotees worship Saraswati, the goddess of learning and music.
• Nanda Devi Raj Jat: This is a grand procession that takes place once in 12 years that starts from Nauti village near Karnaprayag and ends at Homkund near Roopkund. The procession is led by a four-horned ram that is believed to be the vehicle of Nanda Devi, the patron goddess of Uttarakhand. The procession passes through Rudranath Temple on its way and pays homage to Shiva.
• Janmashtami: This is a festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, that falls in August or September. On this day, devotees sing and dance in praise of Krishna.

Rudranath Temple is a unique and mystical place that offers a glimpse of the ancient and divine culture of India. It is a place where nature and spirituality blend together to create a sublime experience for the visitors. It is a place where one can feel the presence and grace of Shiva, the supreme lord of the universe.