Rudraprayag to Agastyamuni Temple Distance is 17 km approx.
Rudraprayag > Dangi Bridge (12 km)
Dangi Bridge > Agastyamuni Bridge (3.5 km)
Agastyamuni Bridge > Agastyamuni Temple (1.5 km)
Agastya Muni Temple – Maharishi Agastya Meditated Here
Shree Anusiya Prasad – mathadhish (head priest) was present within the temple area. Upon request in-short, he narrated the History of Agastya Muni Temple as follows:
Maharishi Agastya meditated at this very location. 18th or 19th century (not sure) the temple was built. Every twelve years for nine days Lakshya Yagya is performed within the temple premises. More than Lacs Aahuti (oblations) is offered. Once Yagya is over Yagya Kund is closed and only after 12 years, the holy Yagya Kund is re-opened.
Do you know Lord Kartikeya – son of Lord Shiva was the disciple of Maharishi Agastya.
And with sound knowledge, I step towards the temple. Prayers.
Kalimath Temple – One of the Siddha Peeths of the Region
Guptkashi to Kalimath Temple distance by road is 9.5 km approx.
(The road from Guptkashi to Kalimath is a jungle route. Interesting drive)
There is a holy kund at Kalimath temple which opens only once a year on Kaalratri day. Four hours of Tantrik puja is done and holy kund is closed again. The great poet Kalidas did his studies at the Saraswati temple in Kalimath and stayed at a nearby village – Kaviltha.
Re: Accommodation at Kalimath there is a guest house. Devotees may stay at a very nominal cost – Rs. 250/- per night.
If a devotee wishes, he may visit Kalishila situated on top of a hill approx. 6-7 km trek from Kalimath. 64 Yantra is present on a shila.
Note: 12 – 2 noon Kalimath temple is closed.
To reach Kalimath first one has to reach Guptkashi. Max Jeep is available on a frequent basis from Guptkashi to Kalimath.
Dhari Devi Temple – One of the 52 Siddha Peeth of Uttarakhand
Dhari Devi Temple is situated 15 km approx. from Srinagar Bus Depot via National Highway 58 at Kaliyasaur in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
And from Rudraprayag to Dhari Devi Temple is 21 Km approx. (Follow National Highway 58)
After offerings and prayers, I met Aashish Pandey – one of the temple priests. Upon the request, he narrated the History of Dhari Devi temple as follows:
It is believed The deity – Dakshin (south-facing) Kali Kalyaneshwari is swayambhu (self-manifested) and the creation of Lord Vishwakarma. The temple is popularly known as Dhari Devi. Within 52 Siddha Peeth of Uttarakhand, Dhari Devi is one of them.
Dhari Devi is the most popular name because in front of the temple across the Alaknanda River is Dhari Gaon (village). Dhari Gaon is said to have existed since the time of Pandavas.
Devi is also known as Shamshaani as Shamshaan (cremation ground) is nearby.
The temple is situated on top of Singh Shila (lion’s rock). If a person watches carefully from the top of the nearby mountains the rock below the temple is as equal as the lion’s head.
The deity changes her face three times within a day.
1. As a child during the morning till early afternoon hours
2. Raudra Roop (angry) since afternoon till evening
And Vridha (old) during evening hours
It is believed sitting alone within the temple in front of the deity is not possible. Shiv–Parvati Shila (rock), and Suraj Kund (the place where Adi Shankaracharya had a bath) are very close to the temple.
Thank you, priest – said I. And once more I was walking toward the deity to offer prayers.
Afternoon hours – Raudra Roop, I agree totally. Prayers.
Koteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple – Three Times a Year Alaknanda Visits the Holy Cave
Koteshwar Mahadev Cave Temple is in Bela Gaon on the banks of Alaknanda – The holy river. Three times a year Alaknanda visits the holy cave. It is said when the Kurukshetra War was over, the Kaurav brothers were killed by Pandavs, and Akashvani (heavenly voice) suggested Pandavas to pray Lord Shiva for Mukti (salvation).
Lord Shiva was present within the cave meditating and Pandavs in search of Lord Shiva. The moment it is known to Lord he shifted from the cave towards Kedarnath. At that time the demons (BrahmaRakshas) residing close to the cave requested the Lord not to leave but Lord Shiva was not willing to stay to grant Mukti (liberation) to Pandavas as he thought maybe in the future each person would do the same (killing act) and will ask for Mukti (salvation). Finally, before moving Lord Shiva granted demons (BrahmaRakshas) a boon, i.e., whoever visits the cave, wishes will be fulfilled. Devotees nowadays visit cave mostly to pray to have children.
Brahmi Inscription at Raghunathji Temple
Click to learn more about Raghunathji Temple.
History of Raghunathji Temple – Built by Adi Shankar
This is the holy place where Lord Shri Ram performed Yagya after his return after conquering Lanka and where the temple was built by Adi Shankar in the first century by installing the idol of Shri Raghunathji. It is from the 108 divine regions of our holy land. Pilgrims from all corners of India have been coming here for centuries. An inscription behind the temple mentions one such pilgrim who came here in the first century. The restoration of this holy temple was done by the devotees of Lord Shri Ram in the year 1986-89 on the orders of Pujyapada Sri Shankaracharya of Kachi Kamkoti Peeth.
Raghunathji Temple – Here, Sri Rama Performed Yajna
Click to learn more about Raghunathji Temple timings.
This holy spot, where Lord Sri Rama performed a Yagnya after his victorious return from Sri Lanka, was sanctified by the installation of the murti of Sri Raghunathji by Adi Sankara in the first century A.D. It is one of the 108 divyakshetras of our punya bhumi and has been visited from time immemorial by most of the pilgrims from all over India. An inscription behind the temple mentions the visit of one such pilgrim in the first century A.D.
The renovation of this holy temple was undertaken by devotees of Lord Rama at the behest of His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in the year 1986 – 87.
Rudranath Temple (Rudraprayag) – Sage Narad Meditated Here
Yogesh Goswami – one of the Rudranath Temple (Rudraprayag) priests was present. Upon request, he narrated the History of Rudranath Temple as follows:
Devarshi (sage) Narad meditated for 100 years at this very location. Lord Shiva taught Devarshi Narad Sama Veda i.e., The knowledge of music – for example, Taal, Mridang, Dhwani, Chhand, Chattis (36) raag raginiya.
It is said Sage Narad requested Lord Vishnu for the same but was suggested that only Lord Shiva has the knowledge of Sama Veda thus, Sage Narad learned the music and later was gifted Veena by Lord Shiva. It is also said Rudra Nath (born from Brahma‘s mind) after taking birth at this very location started crying a lot and was named Rudra Nath by Lord Shiva because of his crying nature.
Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers merge where sage Narad meditated thus, the area is named Rudraprayag (Rudra because of Rudra Nath and Prayag because of the two holy rivers’ confluence). Alaknanda is flowing from Badrinath and Mandakini from Kedarnath.
Sound knowledge – said I. Thanks for sharing.
And towards Prayag – Snaan (bath) is important they say. Will do – said I to myself.