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Karnaprayag

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Karnaprayag is among the five confluences of river Alaknanda (Panch Prayag). It is present at the point where both rivers namely, Alaknanda with Pindar unify. The meeting point of the two rivers is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. A string of peaks like Trisul, Drona Giri, Narad Ghunti, Mrigathuni and Maiktoli wrap around the place.

Devotees believe Karnaprayag to be the place where Karna of Mahabharata rigorously worshipped the Sun God. Moreover, it is a famous pilgrimage destination that falls in the holy pilgrimage of Char Dham Yatra.

Karnaprayag is third among the five holy confluences of Alaknanda river starting from Vishnuprayag. Also, other confluences of river Alaknanda surpassing it are Rudraprayag and Devprayag.

Making donations after taking bath at the Holy confluence is considered meritorious.

Chronicles of Karnaprayag

There are a few mythological tales that relate to Karnaprayag like:

The first tale highlights the confluence as the place where Karna worshipped the Sun god. Hence, the Sun god granted him an impregnable armour.

Chronicles of Karna Prayag
Sun God Giving Karna the impregnable armor

However, the second story foretells that after the use of Anjalika Astra on Karna. Krishna found that Arjuna had wounded him, however, Karna was still alive. Hence, Krishna told Arjuna that Dharma Devta or the Goddess of Righteousness protected Karna for the charities he did in his lifetime.

So to break through the protective shield, Krishna put up the disguise of a brahmin and went to Karna. Further, he asked Karna for all his abilities as a warrior in charity. Hence, being how he was Karna respected the Brahmin’s wishes and donated his blood to him along with all his skills.

Hereafter, Karna requested Krishna to cremate him in a land that was still virgin. Hence, beliefs are that in honour of Karna’s wish Krishna cremated him at Karnaprayag. Also, we have a temple on that land dedicated to the great warrior, Karna.

Essence of the Confluence

Karnaprayag has a holy essence to it. The place has a mythological attachment to the epic occurrence of Mahabharata. Hence, we have a temple dedicated to Karna by the banks of Karnaprayag. Moreover, the place also flaunts a famous Uma temple, dedicated to Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva. Furthermore, Sati’s reincarnation as Goddess Parvati is quite popular.

Essence of Karnaprayag
Temple dedicated to Karna at Karnaprayag.

Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated here along with Guru Turianand Ji and Akharanand Ji for eighteen days in a row. Moreover, Karnaprayag lies on the pathway of the major shrines of the Charm Dham Yatra namely, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Apart from religious strings, Karnaprayag stands out for its lush green scenic beauty that captures every eye-crossing the Prayag. So, it affirms its positions as a major stop on the tour of the Char Dham Yatra destinations within Uttarakhand.

Ways to Reach Karnaprayag

Different modes to reach Karnaprayag:

  • Air: Nearest airport, Jolly Grant is at a distance of 192 km.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh. It is 172 km away from the place.
  • Bus: Buses to Rishikesh are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Hereafter, one can avail state as well as private transport for commuting to Karnaprayag.

Stays nearby Karnaprayag

Stays near Karnaprayag that devotees can hail during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand are:

  • The Kedar Dev’s: The hotel offers a blend of all the modern facilities. Hotel rooms are given unique designs and have cozy interiors. Moreover, the rooms offer exclusive facilities and services.
  • Shri Krishna Palace Hotel and Restaurant: The hotel is set amidst beautiful natural surroundings. Moreover, it offers a comfortable and hygienic stay to its guests.
  • Hotel Riverview: Hotel River view offers comfortable accommodation with spic and span rooms. Also, the view from the rooms opens up to the soulful confluence.

Other Panch Prayags

The other Panch Prayag destinations are:

  • Vishnuprayag: Vishnuprayag is present 1372 metres above sea level and is the first Prayag falling on the route of river Alaknanda. It is 91 km away from Karnaprayag.
  • Nandaprayag: It is the second Prayag among the Panch Prayag. It is present at the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Nandakini. It is 20.9 km away from the Alaknanda-Pindar confluence.
  • Rudraprayag: It observes the confluence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini, in Uttarakhand. This place is at a height of 895 metres above sea level. Rudraprayag is the holy confluence number four starting from Vishnuprayag. It is 33.2 km away from Karnaprayag.
  • Devprayag: It maps the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, in Uttarakhand. Hereafter, the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi unify and flow under the name Ganga or Ganges. It is 98.9 km away from Karnaprayag.

The Panch Prayag are a part of the Char Dham Yatra within Uttarakhand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Karnaprayag

Which rivers collide and merge at Karnaprayag?

It is the place of merging of river Alaknanda and Pindar.

How much budget is required to visit the place?

The place can be visited easily in around a budget of 4k-5k.

What is the temperatures in this Prayag?

The temperatures in summer vary from 15°C-40°C, however, in winter temperature can fall down to 2°C.

Read about the whole five Prayag in Panch Prayag – Five Sacred Confluences in Uttarakhand.

Murudeshwar Temple Timings, Poojas, and History

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Murudeshwar Temple of Karnataka is one of the Mukti Sthala and boasts the world’s second-largest Shiva statue which commands attention in the blue skyline surrounded by sea.

Murudeshwar Temple – Facts

DeityLord Murudeshwar (Lord Shiva)
LocationMurudeshwar, Karnataka
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitOctober to March
Darshan Timings6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
PoojasRudrabhishekam
FestivalsShravan, Mahashivratri
Murudeshwar Temple Video

The land of the temple just protrudes out of the mainland. Hence, the Arabian Sea surrounds the temple on three sides. The Murudeshwar Temple Complex begins with a huge 20-storied Gopuram.

The whole Murudeshwar Temple Complex is modern except the main Sanctum which is still dark and retains the old form. Further, businessman and philanthropist R.N. Shetty constructed the new temple complex.

Where is Murudeshwar Temple

What are the timings of Murudeshwar Temple?

Here are the timings of Murudeshwar Temple:

RitualsFromTo
Morning Darshan6:00 AM1:00 PM
Evening Darshan3:00 PM8:30 PM
Morning Pooja6:30 AM7:30 AM
Maha Pooja12:15 PM1:00 PM
Night Pooja7:15 PM8:15 PM

Which sevas and poojas take place at Murudeshwar Temple?

The Sevas consist of the Daily Sevas and the Yearly Sevas. The Daily Sevas at the Murudeshwar Temple are:

  • Rudrabhishekam: This pooja is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshiped as fire or Rudra. The puja wipes out all sins and purifies the atmosphere. It also removes all sorts of planetary related ill-occurrences.
  • Panchamritha Abhishekam: The Linga is bathed with five “Amrit” or “Nectars”. They are Milk, Honey, Ghee, Sugar, and Curd.
  • Panchakajjaya: The Panchakajjaya is a Prasadam unique to the region of Karnataka. Several types of Panchakajjaya can be made but the most common one uses Green Gram, Coconut, Jaggery, Sesame, Cardamom, and Ghee. This is offered as Naivedyam to God during the prayers.
  • Bilvarchane: In this archana one offers Bilva leaves to the Linga of the God.
  • Chandan Abhishekam: The idol of the Lord is bathed with Chandan or the Sandalwood paste.
  • Bhasmarchane: The Archana takes place by applying “Bhasm” or ash (Vibhuti) to the Linga of Lord Shiva.
  • Navagraha Pooja: The nine Gods representing the nine planets are worshiped for good luck and fortune in one’s life.
  • Ekadasa Rudra: All the major Puranas mention that Lord Shiva has eleven forms of Rudra that the devotees worship with their respective shlokas and mantras. These eleven forms are Mahadeva, Shiva, Maha Rudra, Shankara, Neelalohita, Eesana, Vijaya Rudra, Bhima, Devadeva, Bhavodbhava, and Adityamaka Srirudra.

Besides the above Sevas, the other daily Sevas include Aanastharpana, Thilarchane, Shivasahasranama, Sudarshana Japa, Lalitha Sahasranama Pooja, Kumkumarchane, Durga Sahasranama, Ganapathi and Subramanya Sahasranama, and Anjaneya Sahasranama.

The Yearly Sevas at the Murudeshwar Temple are:

  • Sarva Deva Pooja: Devotees worship all the shrines of the Murudeshwar Temple and the daily Poojas take place on the devotee’s behalf on any particular day of the year.
  • Nanda Deepa Seva: The priests light The Nanda Deepa Stambh with lamps on behalf of the devotee.
  • Annastarpana Seva: The Annadanam takes place for devotees for one full day.

What is the significance of Murudeshwar Temple?

Lord-Murudeshwar

The significance of Murudeshwar Temple is that it houses the cloth covering the famed and sacred Atma Linga of Lord Shiva. As per Hinduism, all the Gods attained mortality and invincibility by worshiping the Atma Linga of Lord Shiva. The Atma Linga originally resided in the heart of Lord Shiva.

However, the Lord gave it to Ravana as a reward for his penance.

The Sri Murudeshwar Temple is one of the five Temples famous in Karnataka as the Pancha Kshetras of Lord Shiva. The other four Temples are in Nanjanagud, Dharmasthala, Dhareshwara, and Gokarna.

Moreover, the gigantic statue of Lord Shiva is the main highlight of the Murudeshwar Temple. The statue is the world’s second-largest Shiva statue at a height of 123 feet. The tallest statue of Lord Shiva is the Kailashnath Mahadev statue in Nepal. The design of the statue is in such a way that the first rays of the Sun that falls on the coast illuminate Lord Shiva first.

The towering Gopuram built at the entrance of the Murudeshwar Temple is the second tallest Gopuram in India at a height of 237.5 feet. The Tallest Gopuram is present at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, Tamilnadu. The unique feature of this Gopuram is that devotees can enter the Gopuram and can go to the top from where they can view the surroundings.

Devotees can perform various Sevas like Abhishekam to the Linga of Lord Rameshwara by themselves.

A Lamp or Deepam is kept inside the main shrine of Lord Murudeshwara, which is said to be burning since the Murudeshwar Temple was built. Devotees also believe that pouring oil into it and then glancing at your image on the oil surface blesses one with luck and prosperity.

What is the history of Murudeshwar Temple?

According to history and legends in the chapters of the epic Ramayana, Kaikesi who was the mother of Ravana was also a devotee of shiva. She used to make Lingas out of the beach sand and pray to them daily. However, every night, the sea washed the Linga. Seeing the distraught mother, Ravana promised to her that he will proceed to Mount Kailash and bring back Lord Shiva’s Atma Linga itself to her.

Murudeshwar-Temple-Story

Ravana went to Mount Kailash and performed severe penance to impress Lord Shiva. He sang his praises in the acclaimed Shiva Tandava Stotram. He chopped one of his ten heads as a gift for Lord Shiva. Eventually, Lord Shiva granted him a wish. Ravana asked for the Atma Linga from Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva then took out the Atma Linga from his heart and offered it to Ravana but placed a condition that he should not keep the Linga down until he reaches his destination. If he keeps the Linga down, the Linga will become affixed and nothing can separate it. Ravana agreed and started proceeding southwards towards his kingdom. All the other Lords were afraid as they were sure that Ravana will misuse the Atma Linga to create havoc in the world.

Murudeshwar-Temple-Ravana

Narada approached Lord Ganesha and requested him to interrupt Ravana’s journey. Lord Ganesha was aware of Ravana’s daily rituals especially about the evening bath Ravana would take. With the help of Lord Vishnu, who blotted out the Sun to give an appearance of dusk, Lord Ganesha turned himself into a small boy. Ravana wanted to take a bath but could not put down the idol.

Lord Ganesha disguised as a boy, passed him. Ravana called him and passed on the idol to him giving instructions that he must not place the idol on the ground. The boy placed the idol on the ground before Ravana returned from his bath. Lord Vishnu unblocked the sun and it was daylight again. The place where Lord Ganesha placed the idol is popular as Gokarna.

Murudeshwar-Temple-Atma-Linga

Ravana became furious and tried to uproot the Linga but he could not accomplish it. He threw the case covering the Linga which fell to a place called Sajjeshwara. The lid of the case which held the Linga fell in a place called Gunavanthe and the string covering the Linga fell at Dhareshwara. The cloth covering the Linga fell in Murudeshwar.

Murudeshwar-Temple-History

When Lord Shiva learned of this, he visited these five places and worshiped the Lingas there. He declared that these places will be known as the Pancha Kshetras and anyone who worships here will be free from all their sins.

What is the dress code of Murudeshwar Temple?

The Murudeshwar Temple does not impose any particular dress code for entering into the temple complex. However, one must wear decent clothes to the temple.

Murudeshwar-Temple-Cave

What are the festivals celebrated at Murudeshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Murudeshwar temple are:

  • Mahashivaratri: The festival occurs in February or March. The festival signifies the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. Some also believe that this is the day when Lord Shiva absorbed the poison that turned him blue during the churning of Amrit episode in mythology. Devotees also keep fast and sing bhajans throughout the night and into the day. Thousands of pilgrims from in and around Karnataka visit the shrine to receive blessings from the God themselves.
  • Karthik Purnima: The festive day is celebrated in the month of Karthik, usually in November – December. It is believed that Lord Shiva destroyed the three demon cities, collectively known as Tripura of the Tripurasura demon on this day. Some also believe that the day signified the birth of Lord Karthikeyan (Murugan), son of Lord Shiva.

How to reach Murudeshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Murudeshwar Temple:

  • Air: The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport which is at a distance of 165 km from the Murudeshwar Temple.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Murudeshwar. The Karwar express from Bengaluru connects Murudeshwar to other important towns.
  • Road: Regular buses are available from major cities of Karnataka.

Where to stay near Murudeshwar Temple?

Several options for a stay are available for pilgrims in the town of Murudeshwar as well as in Bhatkal which is 16 km away. The RNS Residency Hotel is just beside the Murudeshwar Temple and offers sea-facing rooms. Amenities like a swimming pool and a gym are also available.

Apart from that, resorts are available a few kilometers away from Murudeshwar. Also, The Naveen Beach Resort and the Kamath Yatri Nivas are the nearest to the temple complex.

Where to eat near Murudeshwar Temple?

One can visit the canteen near the Parking place in front of the Murudeshwar Temple Complex for small meals like Dosas, Vadas, Coffee, and Tea. The town of Murudeshwar is host to a large number of small restaurants that primarily serve authentic South Indian cuisine.

The majority of the hotels in the town are either near the beach or near the railway station. Certain hotels near the railway station serve North Indian dishes as well as Chinese cuisine. One can also find Non-vegetarian hotels to get a taste of delicious seafood native to the beaches.

What are some of the temples nearby?

Explore-Murudeshwar

Some temples near Murudeshwar temple are:

  • Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna: The temple is located 54 km away from Murudeshwar Temple. The Linga of the temple is the Atma Linga, which Lord Shiva gave to Ravana. Gokarna is also a Mukti Sthala, where funeral rites take place.
  • Idagunji Maha Ganapathi Temple: The famous and ancient temple for Lord Ganesha is about 20 km away from Murudeshwar Temple. It dates back to about 1500 years.
  • Kollur Mookambika Temple: The famous temple is 60 km away from Murudeshwar Temple. The presiding deity is Goddess Mookambikai also famous as Devi and in front of her idol, is a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. The unique feature of the Linga is that it consists of two unequal parts – The Smaller right part represents Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and the larger Left part represents Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Murudeshwar Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Murudeshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Murudeshwar Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Murudeshwar starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 38 º C.

What are winters like in Murudeshwar?

In Murudeshwar, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 15 º C to 25 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

If you have any questions about The Murudeshwar Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Badrinath Temple Opening and Closing Dates 2019, Darshan Timings, Travel Guide

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Badrinath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the temples which form the Char Dham Pilgrimage in India. The temple also a part of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Badrinath Temple Opening Dates for 2019 – 10 May, 2019

Badrinath Temple Closing Dates for 2019 – 9 November, 2019

Badrinath Temple is surrounded by two peaks named Nar and Narayana. The peaks symbolize twin forms of Lord Vishnu. Neelkanth mountain is in the backdrop of the temple. The temple opens from April to November.

Nar & Narayana - Vishnu's Twin Forms
Nar & Narayana – Vishnu’s Twin Forms
Badrinath Temple
Temple Timings4:30 am to 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Opening Date 10-May-2019
Closing Date 09-November-2019 (Tentative)
Time Taken for DarshanMay and June: 4 hours, July-October: 1 hour
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitMay, June, September, October
RegistrationBio-metric registration in Rishikesh
Nearest AirportDehradun
Badrinath Temple at the Opening Ceremony
Badrinath Temple at the Opening Ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions about BADRINATH TEMPLE

What is the best time to visit Badrinath?

The climate at Badrinath is cold and chilled the whole year. The peak seasons for the visitors are from May to June and September to October. During monsoon, there is so much rainfall at Badrinath. It is advisable not to visit during monsoon.

Can I visit Badrinath now?

The Kapat of Badrinath temple opens on 10th May for the year 2019. One can visit after that any time.

Can I visit Badrinath in December?

At Badrinath, winter starts from October and lasts till April. The average temperature falls down to 5°C during day time. In December, Badrinath experiences heavy snowfall. It is advisable not to go during December.

How can I go to Badrinath from Haridwar by train?

No direct flights or trains are available from Haridwar to Badrinath. You have to take NDLS Janshatabdi from Haridwar to Dehradun. Then you can take a taxi from Dehradun to Badrinath.

Can I go to Badrinath by car?

You can hire a taxi from the railway station to reach Badrinath. There are buses available too from nearest bus stations. However, it is not recommended to go by car. Find out why?

How far is Badrinath from Rishikesh?

If you take NH7, it will take you 10 hours and 4 minutes. The journey is 296.6 km and the shortest.

Does Badrinath have snow?

From November to April, it is winter in Badrinath. Snowfall happens very often during winters. The average temperature is 5°C.

What is the altitude of Badrinath?

Badrinath Temple is at a very high altitude of 3300 meters.

Can we visit Badrinath in March?

It is not ideal to visit Badrinath in March as it will be still winter. For 2019, Badrinath temple opens on May 10th.

How old is Badrinath temple?

Adi Shankara established Badrinath as a pilgrimage site in the ninth century. It is said to be believed that he resided in this place for six years.

Which god is in Badrinath Temple?

Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is situated in Badrinath town of Uttarakhand. Hence, it is also called Badrinarayan Temple.

Who built Barinath Temple?

It is believed that Badrinath Temple is founded by Adi Shankara. He built the temple in 7th century C.E.

Which river flows in Badrinath?

Alaknanda river flows close to the Badrinath temple of Uttarakhand. The fast flowing river rushes down from the Badrinath valley.

Are Badrinath and Kedarnath same?

In Uttarakhand, Badrinath and Kedarnath are the two holy Dhams. Badrinath is 40.8 kms away from Kedarnath.

What to wear at Badrinath?

• Summer: The days in summer are very hot but at night it’s very cold. You will have to carry some loose cotton clothes and some woolens too.
• Winter: Badrinath is very cold in winter and hence you’ll need to carry heavy woolens with you.

Badrinath Temple During Winters
Badrinath Temple During Winters

What are the timings of Badrinath temple?

Badrinath Temple timings are from 4:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm every day. The temple is open only for 6 months a year due to extreme weather conditions. The temple opens on the day of Akshaya Tritiya in May. It closes on the eve of Vijayadashami in November.

Here are the Badrinath temple darshan timings and pooja timings:

Timings 4:30 am to 1:00 pm (Morning Darshan)
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Evening Darshan)
Abhishekam 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Shayana Aarti 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Poojas Ved Path, Geeta Path, Akhand Jyoti

What are the sevas and poojas at Badrinath Temple?

The self-manifested statute of Lord Vishnu is worshiped in a religious manner. Poojas and sevas are performed at the temple twice a day. Here are the different kinds of sevas and poojas that take place inside the Badrinath temple:

  1. Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah Path – It is a special pooja which the temple performs on request. This pooja continues for seven days and is in honor of Lord Krishna. There are 18000 mantras in the Shrimad Bhagwat Katha. A Yagya is performed on the last day of the Pooja. By doing this Pooja, one gets rid of fear and misfortune in the life.
  2. Vishnu Sahasranamam – It is a prayer consisting of the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. Each name signifies different attributes of Lord Vishnu.
  3. Ved Path – A recitation of verses from the four Vedas – Rig, Sam, Yajur, and Atharva.
  4. Geeta Path – The whole Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta is chanted in front of the deity.
  5. Akhand Jyoti – The temple is not for pilgrims on Vijaya Dasami. On the last day, the priests light a lamp with special ghee brought from the Mana village. This lamp continues to lit for six months.

People can have the darshan at Badrinath temple at free of cost. Devotees can also do some special poojas or aartis.

What is the history of Badrinath temple?

Badrinath Temple History dates back to many centuries. There is no historical record about Badrinath temple.

Vedic scriptures mention the origin of the temple. According to which, the temple was a Buddhist shrine till the 8th century. Adi Shankara converted it to a Hindu temple later. The architecture of the temple is very much like a Buddhist temple. This has lead to a lot of argument about its origin.

According to Skandapuranam, the temple was originally established by Adi Shankara. He founded a black statue of Vishnu lying on the banks of Alaknanda River. He established it in a cave near the Tapt Kund which later became famous as the Badrinath Temple.

Adi Shankaracharya Established Badrinath Temple
Adi Shankaracharya Established Badrinath Temple

A traditional story says that Shankara expelled all the Buddhists in the region. The successors of the king Kanak Pal governed the temple for years. The income of the villagers was used to feed & accommodate pilgrims. The king enjoyed obedience by the devotees before proceeding to the temple.

According to a legend, Lord Shiva chose this place for his tapasya. However, Lord Vishnu wanted the place for himself. So, he took the form of a little boy and started crying down on the rocks. He didn’t calm on both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s request. Hence, on Parvati’s request, Lord Shiva left for Kedarnath for his tapasya.

Another legend says that Lord Vishnu sat in meditation at this place. During the meditation, Vishnu was not aware of cold weather. Goddess Laxmi then protected and sheltered him in the form of the Badri tree. Pleased by Lakshmi’s devotion, Vishnu named the place Badrika Ashram.

Why is Badrinath popular?

The statue of Lord Vishnu in the temple is Swayambhu in nature. It is one of the 8 self-manifested statues of Vishnu. Badrinath is one of the temples among the Char Dham Pilgrimage in India. It is also a part of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

It is mentioned in the Vamana Purana that the sages Nara & Narayana did penance here. ‘Nara’ and ‘Narayana’ is the dual form of Lord Vishnu’s 5th avatar. It is also believed that Narada achieved moksha on Narad Shila located at Badrinath. The great sages like Kapil Muni, Gautam and Kashyap also did penance here.

The Badrinath Temple is a part of the Panch Badri temples. The other temples are Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and the Vriddha Badri. The holy river Saraswati also originates from a glacier near Badrinath.

The water of the hot spring Tapt Kund is said to have medicinal properties. A dip in the kund can cure a lot of diseases.

Badrinath Idol and Tapt Kund
Badrinath Idol and Tapt Kund

The Skanda Purana states that there are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell. But there is no shrine like Badrinath. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers of India. Lakhs of devotees travel to this pilgrimage every year.

What to wear while going Badrinath?

Badrinath temple is situated in the backdrop of Neelkanth mountains. The weather is cold throughout the year. Rainfalls and snowfalls often occur there. Hence, one should wear proper winter clothes with mufflers and gloves. An umbrella is also must to carry.

How to reach Badrinath temple?

  • Air – The nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun at a distance of 314 km.
  • Train – The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (295 km away).
  • Road – One can take a bus from New Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh.

What are the festivals celebrated here?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Badrinath temple are:

  • Badri-Kedar festival – The festival usually occurs in the month of June. Artists from all over Uttarakhand come together to show their musical talent. They dedicate it to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. This festival continues for 8 days.
  • Mata Murti Mela – Badrinath temple organizes a large fair every September. This day is to celebrate the coming of the Ganga river on the earth. The day is in honor of Mata Murti, mother of Nar & Narayana. Devotees also believe that she divided the Ganga river into 12 channels.
  • Janmashtami – This festival is a celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna (8th avatar of Vishnu). It occurs in the month of August or September. Devotees organize several processions for Lord Krishna on this day.
Badrinath Temple during Day and Night
Badrinath Temple during Day and Night

Where to stay near Badrinath temple?

Some of the places where one can stay near Badrinath temple are:

  1. New Snow Crest: The hotel is just 1.7 km to the city center. The hotel has a huge entrance. Your car can come to the hotel doorsteps. Rooms are equipped with facilities of hot water, heater, etc. The temple is at a walking distance of less than 1 km.
  2. Narayan Palace: This hotel is at the base of the hill and by the side of river Alaknanda. Rooms are equipped with facilities of hot water, heater, etc. Window view from the hotel room is magnificent. Staff is polite and food is delicious in this hotel.
  3. Sarovar Portico Badrinath: Sarovar Portico is a well-known name. They are known for their nice and polite staff. The hotel has a beautiful infrastructure. The window view of the hotel is excellent. You can easily relax there looking at the mountains and people on the streets.

What are some of the temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Badrinath temple are:

  1. Adi Badri: It is the 2nd among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. When Badrinath temple closes for winters, devotees worship Lord Vishnu in Adi Badri temple. The sanctum of the temple has an idol of Lord Vishnu which is 1 meter high. It has been carved out of black stone.
  2. Vridha Badri: It is the 3rd among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. Devotees believed that Adi Shankaracharya worshipped Badrinath here before taking him to the main temple. Vridha Badri is temple is open for pilgrims throughout the year.
  3. Bhavishya Badri: It is the 4th among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. According to belief, Lord Badri will take abode in Bhavishya Badri at the end of Kaliyuga. The name of the place means ‘Future Badri’ implying that it will be the future residence of Lord Badri.
  4. Yogadhyan Badri: It is the 5th among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. As per mythology, the Pandavas were born here and Pandu achieved moksha here. Yogadhyan Badri has a bronze image of Lord Vishnu. Devotees believe that Pandu installed this image. The image shows the Badri meditating (dhyana). Hence, the name of the shrine comes to be known as ‘Yoga-dhyan’ Badri.
  5. Dhyan Badri: It is the 6th among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. It has an Image of Lord Vishnu which Urvashi established. This image of Vishnu has four arms, made of black stone. It is also in a meditative posture.
  6. Ardha Badri: It is the 7th among the ‘Sapt Badri’ temples. In comparison to other temples, the idol of Lord Vishnu is smaller here.
Sapta Badri Temples
Sapta Badri Temples

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Kapila Theertham Tirupati Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Kapila Theertham is located in Tirupati. Sri Kapileswara Linga is the self-created form of Lord Shiva which is also known as the Svayambhu form of Lord Shiva. There is also a sacred lake Sarovara that came into existence in front of Kapila Theertham temple. It came through the opening created by the lake Kapila maharishi arrived on the earth. From 1008 theerthams in Tirumala, Kapila Theertham Temple is the only holy theertham that is located at the foot of Tirumala hill. This theertham is very sacred and devotees visit this temple in a large number.

Kapila Theertham History

  • The description of Kapila Theertham temple goes back to 10th century. It also has been referred as the ancient inscriptions of Kulottunga Chola Kingdoms. The history of this temple also depicts that many great empires and sages have worked for the development of the temple which included Pallava kings, Vijayanagara kings and Tirumala Mahants.
  • As the kapila theertham temple comprises of seven lakes, it is also known as the Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The temple is situated on Venkatadri which is the seventh peak and so it also is known as the ‘Temple of Seven Hills.’
  • Medieval history The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), and Vijayanagara pradhans (14th and 15th centuries) were committed devotees of Lord Venkateswara. During the invasion of Srirangam by Malik Kafur in 1310–11 AD, the Ranga Mandapam of the temple served as the shelter for the presiding deity of Srirangam, Ranganatha Swamy.
  • Later, under the rule of the Vijayanagara emperors, was when the temple gained most of its current wealth and size, with the donation of diamonds and gold.
  • In 1517 Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishna Deva Raya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels. This enabled the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. Statues of Sri Krishna Deva Raya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, kings from states such as Mysore and Gadwal gave ornaments and valuables to the kapila theertham temple.
  • There are many stories associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala. The temple has a murti (deity) of Lord Venkateswara, which it is believed shall remain here for the entire duration of the present Kali Yuga.

Significance of Kapila Theertham

  • There is a big statue of Nandi that is seated when one enters to the darshan of Kapileswara Swamy Temple. Also, there are seven hills of Tirupati, Kapila Teertham waterfalls and a sacred lake directly ahead.
  • The huge Kapila Theertham Temple stands at the mouth and the mountain cave in a steep and vertical face where waters of the mountain stream Paapa Vinasam fall as the huge waterfall Kapila Theertham or Alwar Theertham. It is a very calm and beautiful place where you can enjoy nature with the divine.
  • On the auspicious occasion of full moon day of the Karthika month, all the teerthas ( holy water) on the three worlds of heaven, earth and underworld converge on the Kapila Teertham. If you take a dip in the holy water during this period, you will be released from the worldly bonds of sin to attain Moksha at the mercy of Lord Shiva.
  • In earlier times, devotees used to bathe in the Kapila teertham before climbing the holy hills, and even the footpath for the ascent used to begin here. However, the hill being steep here, it was quite a difficult climb, and hence, the steps were moved to the present location near Alipiri.
  • During the month of Kartika on the occasion of its “mukkoti” on the ‘Purnima‘ (full moon) day, all the teerthas situated in the three world’s merge into this Kapila Teertham at noon for ten ‘Ghatikas'(one ghatika is equivalent to 24 minutes).It is believed that persons bathing in it at that auspicious time will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and death (‘Brahmaloka’).

Kapila Theertham Temple Timings

  • The Kapila Theertham Temple is open from morning 5:00 AM to evening 9:00 PM.
  • The morning puja or the Suprabhatam starts from 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM followed by the Abhishekam till 6:30 AM.
  • The Alankaram or the puja of the lord takes place from 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM. The devotees have to pay an entry fee of Rs. 5/- to participate in the Archana and Harathi.
  • Kapila Theertham Temple is open for all for the Sarvadarshanam from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. There is also an Ekantha Seva performed from 8 AM to 8:15 PM.
  • There are different Weekly and Monthly pujas that are performed. Every Monday there is Rudrabhishekam performed from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM by paying the entry fee of Rs. 50/-.
  • There is Navagrahabhishekam performed on every Saturday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM. There is Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam performed every month from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
  • If one wants to perform Nithyabhishekam permanently then he will have to pay Rs. 542/- for it and for one year it costs Rs. 42/-.

Kapila Theertham Temple Food Timings

The timing for Anna Prasadam is from 5:00 AM to 3:30 PM and from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM when free and unlimited food is offered to all the pilgrims. The Anna Prasadam center is next to the Sri Hygreevar Swamy Temple at Thiru Mada Street. The food here is served in Banana leaf with a variety of options. The cooking is done using Solar Electricity and the quality of the food is well maintained.

Dress Code at Kapila Theertham

Men should wear White Pancha, Dhoti/ Kurta, Pyjama. Women should wear saree with blouse/ Punjabi Dress with Dupatta/ Half saree/

Festivals celebrated at Kapila Theertham Temple

  • Karthika Deepam: Karthika Deepam is celebrated when the full moon is in the conjunction with the constellation Karthika. This constellation appears as the group of six stars. These six stars are considered as the six celestial nymphs, who reared the six babies, who were joined together to form six faced Subramanya Swamy. He is therefore called the Kartikeya. This festival also celebrates Lord Shiva appearing as an endless flame. This festival is celebrated as an auspicious way, and people light the lamps at Kapila Theertham falls the highest point.
  • Skanda Sasti: This festival is celebrated on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Aippasi in Saivite temples all over Tamil Nadu. It commemorates the destruction of evil by the supreme general Kartikeya who is the son of Lord Shiva. The devotees undertake fasts, prayers and devotional singing to Lord Muruga. The devotees stay in the temple for these six days. The events leading to the conquest of the Asuras are dramatized and enacted.
  • Float Festival: Float Festival is celebrated on the night of full moon between mid-January and mid-February each year. The ornamented icons of both the deities God Sundaresa (incarnation of Lord Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi (Incarnation of Parvati) are taken out in a splendid possession. Devotees are clothed in yellow and red and they dance among the crowd and spray colored water on each other. After the possession, the icons are floated around the temple tank. This festival attracts pilgrims all over the country.
  • Arudra Darsanam Utsavam: This festival takes place on the full moon night and also considered as the longest night of the year. Unmarried women fast during the daytime and will break the fast after the moon rise. The dancing form of Lord Shiva is taken out on the possession. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva is enacted on the day.
  • Mahashivratri: This festival signifies the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is celebrated in February or March. The devotees keep fast on this day and there are possessions that are held on this day. There are also some special pujas that are performed during the day and the temple is decorated very beautifully. There are large queues of the people to seek the darshanam.

Besides these festivals, the other festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm are Vinayaka Utsavam, Annabhishekam and Kamakshi Devi Chandana Alankaram.

Poojas and Rituals at Kapila Theertham

Following are the Poojas and rituals that are performed on the Kapila Theertham Temple:

  • Abishekam: Abhishekam is conducted by the priests, by pouring libations on the idol of the deity being worshipped along with chanting of the mantras.
  • Alankaram / Archana: Alankaram or Archana includes decorating the idol of the lord with ornaments.
  • Sarvadarshanam: Sarvadarshanam means Darshan for all. Devotees stand in the queue to attain the darshan of the lord.
  • Rudrabhishekam: Rudrabhishekam is believed to be a very good Homam performed with powerful mantras and it fulfills all the wishes of the person who gets it performed.
  • Navagrahabhishekam: Navagraha Puja is a Vedic ritual that produces tremendous positive energy and helps people to gain the courage to face any situation in their lives. The Vedic ritual performed traditionally for these nine planets (Navagrahas) dilutes the negative influences and infuses peace and prosperity.
  • Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam: This is a more elaborate Pooja of Lord Shiva. Shiva has eleven forms of Rudra. In this Pooja, all the 11 Rudras are worshiped.

How to reach Tirupati: Road, Rail, and Air

  • By Air: The airport of Tirupati is in Renigunta about 15 kms away from the main city, where flights can be found regularly from Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Then taxis can be used to move from the airport to the city which costs about Rs 300. The International airport nearest to Tirupati is in Chennai, which can be reached from any cities in India and abroad.
  • By Train: The Railway station to reach Tirupati is in Tirupati itself and connects by trains to Chennai, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai and Madurai which is a common balaji temple route. Another railway station can be found 15 kms away at Renigunta. It is in the Trivandrum – Delhi route that the railhead of Renigunta falls and, therefore, is reached from all cities in India.
  • By Road: APSRTC runs free buses from the Tirupati Railway station to Alipiri, with a frequency of 30 minutes. The Free bus services, operated by TTD in tirumala are known as “Dharma Wadhams” There are 12 such buses that pass through cottages, choultries, temples and other places in Tirumala. Even the KSRTC buses are available from towns in Karnataka to reach tirupati.

Hotels in Tirupati: Where to stay

There are different Guest houses that are available where one can stay. There are several large choultries with free rooms for families to stay in reasonable comfort. Electricity and water are provided free of charge. Besides these, the other guest houses are Padmavathi Guest House, Sri Venkateswara Guest House and VarahaSwami Guest House.

Hotel Bliss: Near Ramanuja Circle,Renigunta road, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517501

Sri Kapileswara Residency: SKR Residency, Near Kapiltheertham Circle, Tirumala Bypass Road,  Opp. Tirumala Hills, 517507 Tirupati, India.

Nearby Temples

  • Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirumala): Is located at 20.5 KM apart, which can be covered under an hour.
  • Srinivasa Mangapuram: Srinivasa Mangapuram is an important temple connected with Tirupati. These temples are connected through 13 KM, with distance covered less than thirty minutes.
  • Srikalahasti Temple: Is located at a distance of 39 KM. This distance passing through the National Highway and state highways can be covered less than one hour. This temple is well known for it’s famous Rahu Ketu Dosha Pooja.

Amarnath Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Amarnath Temple Cave is located at an altitude of 3888 meters (12760 feet) in the Himalayan mountain range known as the Chandanwari Hills. The shrine receives more than 4 lakh pilgrims in a 45-day visiting period during the month of Shravan and the Shravani Mela.

For Amarnath Yatra, the cave itself is surrounded by snowy peaks on all sides. The total height of the cave is 130 feet. A snowy stalagmite forms the shape of the Shiva Linga which is worshipped with great reverence. Besides the main Linga, three other formations representing smaller Lingas are worshiped as Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati and Bhairava.

Amarnath Temple – Facts

DeityLord Amarnath (Lord Shiva)
Location Chandanwari Hills, Himalayas
Entry FeeFree
ToursAmarnath Tour
Timings6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Best Time to VisitJuly to August
Festivals CelebratedShravan
Amarnath Temple – Video

History of Amarnath Temple

What is the history of the Amarnath Temple

⭐ What is the background of the Amarnath Temple Cave?

The Amarnath Temple Cave is believed to have been in existence since the age of the Gods and Goddesses. The cave has been mentioned in the Bringesh Samhita and the Nilamata Purana. A 6th century Sanskrit work depicting the life of Kashmiris also mentions a holy cave where Lord Shiva is worshipped as an ice Linga. The Amarnath Mahatmaya provides extensive details of the pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine. It also enlists all the holy sites en route and their significance. The Amarnath Mahatmaya is believed to explain the importance of Amarnath in details and takes its facts from the ancient Adi-Purana.

⭐ What is the legend of the Amarnath Temple Cave?

The legend associated with the cave is fascinating and intriguing. According to scriptures, the cave is believed to have been chosen by Lord Shiva himself for enlighting Goddess Parvati about immortality and how to achieve it. There is a story behind this that has been passed on for generations.

As per the story, Goddess Parvati wanted to know the reason Lord Shiva wore the Mund Mala. Mund Mala is the necklace of skulls that Lord wears around his neck. To this, the Lord replied that he added one skull to the necklace whenever she died and resurrected. Goddess Parvati became curious and asked him why is that he is immortal while she has to go through the cycles of birth and death. To satisfy her curiosity, Lord Shiva told her to listen to the Amar Katha, the story of immortality.

However, to tell her the secret, he decided that the selected place should be isolated and that no living thing must be able to overhear it. After searching for such a suitable place, he arrived at the Amarnath Cave. On the way, he let go of all living things associated with him such as Nandi, the snakes, his son Ganesha, the Five elements and the moon God so that none could overhear the secret.

Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati entered the cave. Lord Shiva sat on a deerskin and concentrated hard to make sure that no mortal was nearby to hear the tale. He created a Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to eliminate all the living things around the cave. As soon as that was accomplished, he started narrating the tale. Unknowingly to both of them, a pigeon egg was hidden and alive beneath the bedding Lord Shiva used to sit and tell the story. A pair of pigeons eventually hatched out if it and became immortal since they had listened to that story. It is believed that this pair of pigeons can still be seen around the cave by the visiting pilgrims.

⭐ When was the Amarnath Temple Cave discovered?

The discovery of the shrine is contested by two versions. As per ancient epics, the valley of Kashmir was underwater for a long time. Sage Kashyapa drained the water from the valley by creating several rivers and their distributaries. Sage Bhrigu visited Kashmir on one of his spiritual journeys and stumbled upon the Holy Cave. It is believed that he was the first person apart from Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati themselves, to visit the holy cave. As the news of the Linga spread, pilgrims began to arrive at the shrine to pay their respect to their beloved God and Goddess.

Another more recent story says that the cave was actually discovered 700 years ago by a shepherd named Buta Malik. As per his version, once, while roaming through the mountains, he met a Saint and was given a bag of coal to carry home. When he reached home and opened the bag, he found gold instead of coal. He was overjoyed and trekked back to thank the Saint. However, when he reached the spot, he could not find the Saint but in its place found the holy cave with the Linga. He ran back and announced his discovery to the villagers. Word of the cave spread fast and eventually, the spot became a pilgrimage undertaken by a large number of people every year.

Another popular legend associated with the cave is that of Sage Bringesh. The disciples of Sage Bringesh decided to take a pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave. On the way, they were attacked by demons. They could not complete the journey and requested the assistance of Sage Bringesh. The Sage performed penance to Lord Shiva for his assistance. Appeased, Lord Shiva gifted him the Chhari Mubarak to be carried by him for safety.

Significance of Amarnath Temple

Where is Amarnath Temple

As per the ancient Sage Bringesh, the importance of the holy cave is such that, anyone who visits the shrine attains moksha or enlightenment.

According to religious beliefs, the Lingam made of snow grows with the rising phase of the moon and diminishes in size during the diminishing phase of the moon during the Summer or the Shravan month. However, this fact is not scientifically proven.

The areas surrounding the Pahalgam base camp are extremely significant from the mythological point of view. It is a belief that Lord Shiva left Nandi at Pahalgam (Bail Gaon), let go of his snakes at Lake Sheshnag, released the moon from his hair at Chandanwari, left his son Lord Ganesh at Mahaguna Mountains (also known as Mahaganesh Mountain), and left the five elements of Earth at Panjtarni. It is believed that he performed the Tandav dance at the site as a symbol of renouncing the earthly world.

It is believed by ardent devotees that this cave is the spot where Lord Shiva grants the boon of immortality to the other Gods.

Timings for Amarnath Temple

The Amarnath Temple cave remains open to the public from July to August (Vyas Purnima to Shravan Purnima) only.

Here are the timings of the Amarnath Temple:

RitualsFromTo
Darshan 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
Pony Ride/ Trek 6:00 AM 3:00 PM

Devotees have to reach Panchkarni before 3:00 PM to take pony ride/ trek. If they reach after 3:00 PM, then they are not allowed to go to the temple on that day. They have to stay overnight in a camp in Panchtarni and then go for a temple darshan in the morning.

All yatris have to register at the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Offices located at major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jammu, and Srinagar.

It is highly recommended that one gets themselves a complete medical checkup before proceeding for the Yatra. The trek involves walking for 42 km at a high altitude.

Poojas & Rituals at Amarnath Temple

  • Pratham Pooja: The Pratham Pooja means the “First Pooja”. This pooja is performed at the holy cave on the day the Yatra is declared open. The members of the J&K Government, as well as the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, attend the pooja without fail. Several Vedic mantras, as well as Shlokas, are chanted in praise of Lord Shiva, following which the Prasad is distributed among the devotees. The pooja ceremony involves Bhoomi Pooja, Navagraha Pooja, Chhari Pooja and lastly the Dhwajarohan indicating the beginning of the yatra. The pooja is held on the day of Vyas-Purnima (July).
  • Chhari Mubarak: The auspicious event marks the end of the Amarnath Yatra. The Chhari refers to the holy mace of Lord Shiva that he gifted to the Sage Bringesh. The Chhari Mubarak is taken to the shrine on the day of Shravan Purnima, also celebrated as the Raksha Bandhan. After the Pratham Pooja, he Chhari is then returned to the Dashnami Akhara where it is kept for darshan. Special Poojas are performed for Naga Panchami. Then the mace is carried to the holy Amarnath Shrine by the traditional route.
When is the best time to visit Amarnath Temple

Dress Code for Amarnath Temple

⭐ What to wear to the temple and why?

The Holy Cave is located at an elevation of 12,000 feet. The weather conditions are erratic as it may rain or snow anytime during the journey. The temperature may fall as low as -5 degree Celsius.

Hence, it is recommended that one should be dressed in heavy woollen clothes. Additional jackets, monkey caps, mufflers, ear-covering gear, thermal wear, and woollen socks. It is also advised to wear proper sports shoes for the trek.

Saree is very uncomfortable to wear for the women pilgrims during the journey and should be avoided, if possible.

⭐ What are the additional items ones should carry?

Raincoat, umbrellas, blankets, torches with spare batteries, flasks, and portable small tents or beds are highly recommended for the journey.

Routes to Amarnath Temple

How to reach Amarnath Temple

The devotees have to trek a distance of 42 km on foot from the scenic town of Pahalgam. For a person in healthy condition, the trek will take 4 – 5 days to complete. There are two approaches to the holy cave – the longer but traditional route from Srinagar (42 km) or the shorter new steep route (16 km) from a town called Baltal.

By Air:

  • The nearest airport is the Srinagar International Airport that is well connected to cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Leh, Chennai, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Amritsar. The airport connects the city of Jeddah with a flight operated by Air India.
  • Helicopter services are operated from Srinagar by private operators till Panjtarni, 6 km from the cave.

By Train:

  • The nearest railway station to Pahalgam is Jammu Tawi, from where the trek begins. Jammu is well connected to almost all the major cities in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ludhiana, Hyderabad, and Allahabad.

By Road:

  • The Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) operates regular buses to Pahalgam and Baital from Jammu and Srinagar.

Stay near Amarnath Temple

Every year, Amarnath Yatra is organized by the J&K State Government in collusion with the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. The Government is responsible for providing necessary facilities like food supplies, power, telecommunication, water, tents, and ponies. Apart from the Government, there are several non-profit organizations set up pandals along the journey to serve the visiting devotees at free of cost.

These services are provided at the base camps along the trek like Sheshnag, Panchtarni etc.

Eating near Amarnath Temple

Government aided and NGO aided tents are set up at strategic points throughout the trek route. They offer simple vegetarian food to the devotees. It is strictly advised to carry snacks like chocolates, toffees, biscuits, dry fruits, and medicines for altitude sickness.

Temples near Amarnath Temple

Amarnath Temple Mount Kailash Mansarovar
  • Mamleshwar Temple: The ancient and mythologically important temple lies just 1 km from the main Pahalgam centre. The temple dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, this is the place where Goddess Parvati instructs Ganesha to stand guard at the temple entrance and not allow anyone inside.
  • Sri Shankaracharya Temple: The famous and ancient temple dedicated to Sri Shankaracharya is located on a hilltop in Srinagar, 88 km from Amarnath base Pahalgam. The temple is also known as Jyesteshwara Temple. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The original shrine is believed to date back to 200 BC. The present structure has been constructed somewhere during the 9th century. The temple is also a sacred site for the Persians, Buddhists, and Jews.
  • Martand Sun Temple: The enchanting and ghostly ruins of the once great and beautiful temple dedicated to the Sun God Surya is not to be missed. The temple is located just 40 km from Pahalgam. The foundation of the temple dates back to the 4th century but the temple is believed to have been built in the 8th century by the Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty. The antechamber of the temple contains ruined sculptures and images of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Ganga, Yamuna, and Surya.

If you have any questions about the Amarnath Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

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