Kalpeshwar Temple is a Hindu temple that worships Lord Shiva and is located in the Chamoli region of Garhwal, Urmgam Valley, Uttarakhand, India. Kalpeshwar temple is one of the Panch Kedar temples and this is the fifth number in Panch Kedars. This temple is at a height of 7,217 feet, or 2,200 meters, above sea level which is accessible at all times. It is basically a small stone cave temple.

It is stated that Lord Shiva’s hair emerged in Kalpeshwar Temple. Lord Shiva’s “Jata” is worshipped in this temple. Lord Shiva is hence also called as “Jateshwar” or “Jathedar.” The term ‘jata’ means ‘hair’. Kalpeshwar Temple was established by the Pandavas.

Story Behind Kalpeshwar Temple

The Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, are the subject of folklore. In the epic Kurukshetra War, the Pandavas defeated and killed their cousins, the Kauravas. They wished to feel guilty for the acts of bloodshed (gotra hatya) and brahmana hatya (the slaughter of Brahmins, the priest class) during the conflict. As a result, they gave their kin control of their kingdom and left in search of Shiva and his blessings.

They first went to Varanasi (Kashi), which is considered to be Shiva’s favourite city and is famous for its Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Shiva, however, ignored the Pandavas’ prayers because he was deeply enraged by the deaths and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war. He transformed himself into a bull (Nandi) and disappeared in the Garhwal region.

The Pandavas went to the Garhwal Himalayas after failing to find Shiva in Varanasi. Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, began his search for Shiva while standing atop the mountains. He noticed a bull grazing near Guptakashi, also known as “hidden Kashi,” after Shiva’s act of concealment. Bhima grabbed the bull’s back legs and tail as soon as he saw the god.

The bull-shaped Shiva, on the other hand, vanished into the ground only to reappear in fragments, with the hump rising at Kedarnath, the arms rising at Tungnath, the face appearing at Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach appearing at Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair appearing at Kalpeshwar.

History of Kalpeshwar Temple

The Pandavas came here to find Lord Shiva and ask for forgiveness from him for killing their Kauravas brothers in a war. Lord Shiva transformed into a bull and hid underground because he did not want to appear before them. He threw various parts of his body in different directions as the Pandavas pursued him.

The mound lies in Kedarnath. The mid-piece shows up in Madhyamaheshwar. At Kalpeshwar, the head and hair appeared. Rudranath is dedicated to the worship of Nilkanth Mahadev’s face. The Linga here is supposed to be self-born or one who showed up without anyone’s help as a Shivalinga with a face, estimated around 3 feet.

Architecture of Kalpeshwar Temple

The whole design is the equivalent of a delightful stone wonder and is made of goliath rock stones and addresses the Nagara compositional style. It was believed that in ancient times, when the Pandavas fought in the Kurukshetra war and murdered their brothers and relatives, Then, they asked Lord Shiva to forgive them, but he refused to meet them because he thought they were dishonest and committed a fraternal sin.

Facts about Kalpeshwar Temple

• The Kalpeshwar temple is accepted to be set up by the Pandavas, the saints of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
• The Kalpeshwar temple located at an altitude of 2200 meters, is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the picturesque valley of Urgam, in the Garhwal region, in the state of Uttarakhand in India.
• The point where the Alakananda and Kalpaganga rivers meet is part of the well-known Panch Kedar mountain range.
• Kalpeswar Temple is one of the most prominent temples of Lord Shiva. Shiva’s Jata is revered here in divine form.
• All in the Kedar Khand region of the Garhwal Himalayas, Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year.
• As part of their holy pilgrimage, Hindus embark on the Panch Kedar Yatra and visit this temple. The journey here is a wonderful combination of thrilling adventure activity and profound spirituality.
• This pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand is also the base for some high-altitude treks.
• Swords may be embedded in the rocky cliffs along the road. The Pandavas are said to have owned these words.
• In the month of January-February, the entire area is covered with snow.

Famous Festivals In Kalpeshwar Temple

Kalpeshwar Temple celebrates the following festivals:

Mahashivratri: Lord Shiva is the subject of this festival. Many devotees hold the belief that he is the Adi guru, the Yogi tradition’s founder. It is seen by recalling Shiva and reciting petitions, fasting, doing Yoga as well as thinking.

Dussehra: This significant Hindu festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil. Dussehra commemorates the day that Lord Ram brought prosperity and peace to the world by slaying Ravana. Devotees burn an effigy of Ravana as part of the ritual.

Best Time To Visit Kalpeshwar Temple

In summer from May to June . During the monsoons, the hilly terrains turn dangerous with frequent landslides. It is best to avoid the monsoons but if you anyhow reach there you can visit.

How to Reach Kalpeshwar Temple

You can easily reach kalpeshwar by air, train and by road.

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun at a distance of nearly 266 kilometres from Kalpeshwar Temple.

By Rail: Rishikesh railway station at a distance of nearly 248 kilometres from Kalpeshwar Temple.

By Road: From Rishikesh, one can hire a taxi to reach Ugram village. The remaining distance has to be covered through the trek.