Kalpeshwar, Urgam, Uttarakhand
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Lord Shiva |
| Architectural style: | North Indian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | – |
| District:: | Urgam |
| Address: | Urgam, Uttarakhand 246443 |
| Phone | – |
Kalpeshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,217.8 ft) in the picturesque Urgam valley in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in India. The temple’s ancient legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of epic Mahabharata eminence is the fifth temple of the Panch Kedars (five temples) of Shiva’s five anatomical divine forms; the other four temples in the order of their worship are Kedarnath, Rudranath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples; all in the Kedar Khand region of the Garhwal Himalayas. Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. At this small stone temple, approached through a cave passage, the matted tress (jata) of Lord Shiva is worshipped. Hence, Lord Shiva is also called as Jatadhar or Jateshwar. Earlier it was approachable only by 12 km (7.5 mi) trek from the nearest road head of Helang on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road but now the road goes up to Devgram village from where the trek now is just 300 metres. This road is good for bikes or cars with good ground clearance as it is half kuccha road which may get damaged during monsoons. Small cars can be taken except in monsoons.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
In Kalpeshwar Temple Lord Shiva is worshipped in his divine form of Jatas (Hairs). It is believed that in ancient times when Pandvas did Kurukshetra war and killed their relatives and brothers. Then they wanted to get pardoned by Lord Shiva but Lord Shiva didn’t want to meet them as he was convinced that they were dishonest and did a fratricidal sin. So Lord Shiva transformed in to a incognito form of bull. And then reappeared at the five places of Panch Kedars in divine forms. Like this his Jatas (Hair Locks) appeared at Kalpeshwar. Pandvas built a temple at this place to worship Lord Shiva and to please him.
The epic legend narrated on the creation of the Panch Kedar temples is that Pandavas of Mahabharata epic history, while chasing Lord Shiva to seek his pardon for the fratricidal sins committed by them during the Kurukshetra war, realized that Shiva, in order to distance himself from the Pandavas, took the incognito form of a bull. But when this form of Shiva was discerned by Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers, tried to hold on to the bull’s tail and hind legs. But the bull vanished underground at Guptakashi. Subsequently, it reappeared in five different forms: His hump appeared at Kedarnath, his bahu (arm) was spotted at Tungnath, his head surfaced at Rudranath, the stomach and navel were traced at Madhyamaheswar and his jata (tress) was divined at Kalpeshwar. Another legend states that this place was much preferred by sages of folklore for meditation. Particular mention is made of sage Arghya who through his austere penance created Urvashi, the famous apsara (nymph) at this place. Durvasa, an ancient sage, son of Atri and Anasuya, considered an incarnation of Shiva, known for his short temper did penance and meditated under the Kalpavriksha, the wish fulfilling divine tree in the precincts of the temple.Further, it is said that Durvasa had given Kunti, mother of Pandavas, a boon that “she could invoke any of the forces of nature and they would appear before her and grant whatever she desired”. Once, when Pandavas, were in exile here, in order to test them Durvasa visited them along with his disciples and desired to be dined by them. Unfortunately, there was no food available within the house to feed the surprise guests. Draupadi, wife of Pandavas, sought Lord Krishna’s help. Krishna materialised on the scene and solved the problem.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
Kalpeshwar is only 253Kms away from Rishikesh via Rishikesh-Badrinath road. Earlier the trek was from Helang to Kalpeshwar via Urgam Village (10Kms Trek). But as per now a motorable road has been built up to Urgam from Helang. So after that only 2Kms trek remains up to Kalpeshwar. Itis the only temple of Panch Kedar which is accessible throughout the year.
By Road: Kalpeshwar can be reashed up to Helang, 243 kms. on the Rishikesh – Badrinath road by bus and taxis. From Helang, the 12 kms. trek is off the main road.
Boodha Kedar temple surrounded by potato fields is seen on the trek route. Also seen is the Dhyan Badri temple at Urgam Village, one of the Sapt Badri (seven Badri) temples.
By Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun 272 kms
By Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh is 255 kms
Contact Details
Official Address