Kalpeshwar, the last among Panch Kedar and a lesser visited place, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at an elevation of 2,200 m (7,217.8 ft) in the picturesque Urgam Valley of the Himalayan mountain range near Urgam village. On the bridle path from Helang to Kalpeshwar, the confluence of the Alaknanda and Kalpganga rivers is seen. Kalpganga river flows through the Urgam valley, and the temple is located in the vicinity of Kalpganga river, making it a divine destination for pilgrims and nature lovers alike.
The temple is the fifth temple of the Panch Kedar (five temples) of Lord 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 tresses (jata) of Shiva are worshipped. The tresses lie over a miniature form of Kedarnath shivling.
Earlier, it was approachable only by a 12 km trek from the nearest road head of Helang on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road, but now the road goes up to Devgram village from where one has to cross a bridge built on the river Kalpganga to reach the temple. The beautiful waterfall can also be viewed on the right-hand side while crossing the bridge. The Urgam Valley is a dense forest area full of picturesque locations, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.
Legend of Kalpeshwar
A folk legend about Panch Kedar relates to the Pandavas. The Pandavas defeated and slayed their cousins, the Kauravas, in the Kurukshetra war. They wished to atone for the sins of committing fratricide and Brāhmanahatya during the war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. First, they went to the holy city of Varanasi (Kashi), but Lord Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the death and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war and was, therefore, insensitive to the Pandavas’ prayers. Thus, he assumed the form of a bull (Nandi) and hid in the Garhwal region.
Not finding Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas went to the Garhwal Himalayas. Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, then standing astride two mountains, started to look for Shiva. He saw a bull grazing near Guptakashi. Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tungnath, the face showing up at Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas, pleased with this reappearance in five different forms, built temples at the five places for venerating and worshipping Shiva. The Pandavas were thus freed from their sins.
The Shivalinga is located inside a rock cave and one has to bow before entering the temple. It is a divine experience to visit this place. Those ardent followers of Lord Shiva must visit this place. Also, don’t miss the Dhyan Badri temple and Boodha Kedar temple at Urgam Village.
Best Time to Visit Kalpeshwar
Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year, but the best time to visit this place is from March to June and September to November. The weather during these months is ideal for trekking and exploring the natural beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Access to Kalpeshwar
Access to Kalpeshwar by road up to Urgam is from Rishikesh, a distance of 253 km on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road. One has to reach Helang on the same route passing through Mayapur, Pepalkoti, and then Chamoli. From Helang, another road to Kalpeshwar is taken. This road is very rough and not suitable for normal cars, and should only be driven by skilled drivers. The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant, Dehradun, and the nearest rail station is Rishikesh.
Once in a lifetime visit place for those who are ardent followers of Lord Shiva and also for those who are nature lovers. The blog is based on the recent visit made to this place in the month of June 2024.
The information provided in this article is based on the author’s personal visit to Kalpeshwar and research from various sources. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, changes in the conditions, accessibility, and local guidelines may occur. Visitors are advised to check the latest travel advisories, road conditions, and local regulations before planning their trip. The author and publisher are not responsible for any inconvenience or loss incurred while following the information provided in this article. Always prioritize safety and consult with local authorities or guides when traveling to remote or religious destinations.
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