Guptkashi

Important information

  • Location: Kedar-Khanda, Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand 246439.
  • Nearest Airport : Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun at a distance of nearly 200 kilometres from Guptkashi.
  • Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh railway station at a distance of nearly 186 kilometres from Guptkashi.
  • Did you know: This place is known for its ancient Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is similar in Varanasi (Kashi).

Guptkashi is one of the famous and holy places of Hindus. This place is known for its ancient Vishwanath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is similar in Varanasi (Kashi). Guptkashi is a very big city located at the height of the Kedar-Khanda, Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. It is said that Lord Shiva came from Varanasi and was hide on this place; hence this place is called Guptkashi. In the upper part of the river Bhagirathi, there is another Kashi, which is called Uttarkashi (North Kashi).

The other famous temple here is dedicated to Ardhanashwar, which is a form of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva in the Ardhanashwar temple is in the form of half a male and half female, which is a form of Shiva and Parvati. Guptkashi's name is associated with Pandavas, who are heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It’s religious significance is considered beside Varanasi. This temple is situated in the way of Kedarnath, which is one of the small Char Dham and Panch Kedars. Charakamba has a beautiful backdrop of snow-covered peaks and enjoys the whole season for the whole year.

According to a legend, When after the war of Mahabharata Pandavas wanted liberation from their sin, therefore Lord Krishna advised Pandavas that they would get the blessings of Lord Shankar. Therefore, Pandavas reached Varanasi to get the blessings of Lord Shankar, but Lord Shankar left Varanasi and hide in Guptkashi because Lord Shiva was annoyed with Pandavas, Pandavas had killed their dynasty. When Pandavas reached the Guptkashi then Lord Shankar reached Kedarnath where Lord Shankar had assumed the shape of the bull. Pandavas discovered Lord Shiva and received blessings from them. It is believed that When Lord Shankar disappeared in the form of a bull, the upper part of their torso appeared in Kathmandu. Now there is a famous temple of Pashupatinath. Shiva's arms appeared in Tungnath, mouth in Rudranath, navel in Madhyamaheshwar, hair in Kalpeshwar and Lord Shankar in the form of the shape of the back of Bull (hump), there is worshiped in Shri Kedarnath.




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