History, Importance, Natural Environment and Travel Guide of Kalpeshwar Temple near Kedarnath, Uttarakhanda
Kalpeshwar Temple is one of the temple of Paanch Kedar circuit in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand and located near Devgram village at height of 2200 mtrs. The Paanch Kedar temples – group of five temples are solely dedicated to Lord Shiva and constructed by Pandavas at the end of Dwapar Yuga after the great war of Mahabharata between Pandavas and Kauravas at Kurukshetra. This is the only temple of Panch Kedar which is open throughout the year and easily access by the road. Jata or Hair of the Lord Shiva is worshipped here thus Lord Shiva known as Jatadhar and Jateshwar here as well. Devotee can also visit Dhyan Badri temple at Urgam Village, one of the Sapt Badri temples – Seven Temple of Lord Vishnu in Garhwal Himalayas on the way to Kalpeshwar Temple
Panch Kedar temples holds a magnificent story. 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 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. The devotees and visitors usually complete this circuit after visiting Kedarnath, Tungnath and Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar Temple, they come to Kalpeshwar Temple to worship Lord Shiva. This is how the Kalpeshwar Temple is the fifth and last one in the Panch Kedar circuit of Uttarakhanda.
How to reach – This small stone temple in a cave passage is reached by road to Devgram Village and then just 300 mtrs of trek. The Buses are available till Ukhimath. From Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh you can easily hire private or state buses. You can book a cab/taxi for Devgram Village. The nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh Railway Station at a distance of 250 kms. The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest Air connectivity from Kalpeshwar at a distance of 270 kms.
