History, Importance, Natural Environment and Travel Guide of Rudranath Temple near Kedarnath, Uttarakhanda

Rudranath temple also famous as Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir is located in the Garhwal Himalayan Mountains at height of 3600 mtr in Uttarakhand, India. This natural rock temple is situated within a dense forest of rhododendron dwarfs and Alpine pastures. This temple is the third temple in the circuit of Panch Kedar Mandir after the Kedarnath and Tungnath. Along with temple campus there are lot of small water tanks – kund near temple like Tara Kund, Surya Kunda, Chandra Kund etc.

Rudranath Temple holds a fascinating mythology as per Hindu Legends. As Pandavas were in search of Lord Shiva after the Kurukshetra war to pardon their Brahmahatya, but Lord Shiva was avoiding Pandavas and Lord Shiva took the form of Bull (Nandi) and got hidden himself underground in Guptkashi. However Pandavas succeeded in finding Lord Shiva and apologizing to him for the war. Lord Shiva’s body the Nandi was rematerialized at five different place that today represent the PANCH KEDAR. To worship those places the Pandavas made the temples on those places to venerate Lord Shiva. Each temple is identified with a part of Nandi. Tungnath is identified as the place where hands were seen (Bahu) so it’s the highest temple among them. Hump was seen at Kedarnath, Head appeared at Rudranath, his navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar and his jata (hair) at Kalpeshwar.

As Face appeared here so the face of Lord Shiva is worshipped as Neelkanth Mahadev here. The trek starts from Sagar village which is 3kms away from Gopeshwar. The other trek starts from Mandal which is 12kms away from Gopeshwar. This temple has the toughest and the longest trekking route amongst the Panch Kedar of around 24kms. It is best known for trekking destination for couples, family and friends.

How to reach – by road, Rudranath is located at Gopeshwar-Rudranath road. You can opt for taxies or private or several state buses. The nearest air connectivity is Jolly Grant Airport which is 260kms far. The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh Railway Station at a distance of 243kms. Taxies are easily from Airport or Railway Station.

Additional Details of Rudranath Temple, Uttarakhand

Best Time To Visit: May, June, July, Aug, Sept and Oct. During winter the temples are closed due to high snowfall and a symbolic image of Lord Shiva is brought to Gopinath Mandir in Gopeshwar for worship.

Address: Rudranath Temple, Garhwal Himalayans, near Kedarnath and Sagar Village, Gopeswar

Activity: While traveling to Rudranath you can visit the local temple at Sagar village. While trekking, do explore the region of the scenic Lyuti Bugyal and Panar Bugyal. The temple is surrounded by several small pools named as Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund.