About Gaurikund Temple
Gaurikund Temple in Uttarakhand is one of the most revered and sacred Indian temples for Hindus. Situated in a picturesque valley, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Gauri and is visited by devotees from all over the country. This temple is believed to be the abode of Goddess Gauri or Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is also believed that this is where Parvati performed her Tapasya to gain Lord Shiva’s hand in marriage. During Maha Shivaratri, special rituals are performed to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri. Devotees offer milk and water to the deities and seek their blessings.
Gaurikund is also the commencement point of the trek to Kedarnath which is about 16 km in length. This temple is surrounded by lush green hills, making it an ideal place to seek solace and peace. The peaceful atmosphere here makes it a perfect place for contemplation and meditation. Visiting the Gaurikund Temple is, thus, an absolute spiritual experience.
Gaurikund Temple History
Hindu mythology has various stories related to this sacred place – Gaurikund. One story says that this is the place where Lord Shiva accepted his love for Goddess Parvati. This was done after she did penance, including yogic practices, to win Lord Shiva’s heart. Another folklore mentions that this is the place where Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from the soap suds on her body while taking a bath. She then placed him at the entrance of the kund (bathing area), asking him not to let anyone enter. Following his mother’s orders, he was denied entry to Lord Shiva as well.
As a result (and not knowing who the kid is), Shiva cut off his head in a fit of rage. Therefore, this is also the place where Lord Ganesha got his elephant head. This is why Gaurikund is a famous spot among Lord Ganesha lovers.
Gaurikund Architecture
This ancient temple has a simple hut-shaped architecture with the beautiful idol of Goddess Parvati and the stone idol of Lord Ganesha on the outer walls. Inside, there are idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati which devotees worship after taking a dip in the kund. It is the first place that comes on way when you start your trek to the Kedarnath Temple. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake before entering the temple. The divine dip in the Gaurikund gives devotees all the power and energy to complete their pilgrimage journey.
Best Time To Visit
The best month to visit Gaurikund Temple Temple is between May to November as the weather is pleasant during this period.
Places To Visit Near Gaurikund Temple
Gauri Kund is an alluring town in Uttarakhand that will take your heart away with all the beautiful places to visit around. Let’s scroll through the list of places to visit near Gaurikund Temple below:
- Kedarnath Temple: Just 16km away from the Gaurikund Temple, the Kedarnath Temple shrine is one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva in the world. This holy site lies at the sight of 3584 metres above sea level and is also one of 12 jyotirlingas in India.
- Gauri Kund Lake: Ideally located on the banks of the Mandakini river, Gauri Kund Lake is a popular pilgrimage lake where devotees come to take a dip and meditate. The Gaurikund Temple is a cold water spring and is said to be changed frequently.
- Sonprayag: After a divine visit to the Gauri Kund Temple, get on the road to Sonprayag which is a beautiful city in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is located on the Kedarnath road and falls just 4 km before the Gauri Kund.
- Triyuginarayan Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati, the Triyuginarayan Temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is been believed that Lord Vishnu witnessed Shiva and Parvati’s marriage at this place.
Other Popular Temples To Explore In Uttarakhand
Built by the Pandavas and dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Tungnath Temple is another one of the most important ancient Hindu Shrines in India. The temple is situated at the peak of the Garhwal Himalayas and the foundation of the temple was laid by the third Pandav brother, Arjun.
Lies in the small village of Tehri Garhwal, the Surkanda Devi Temple has religious significance as this is the place where the head of Goddess Sati fell. The temple is surrounded by deodar and oak forests, which make it even more serene and beautiful.
Devoted to Goddess Yamuna, the Yamunotri Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in India. The temple offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains as it is a part of the Garhwal Himalayas and is visited by umpteen pilgrims every year.
Referred to as the ‘valley of gods’, the Jageshwar Temple is a famous temple located in the Garhwal Himalayas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The beautiful architecture inspired by local styles is definitely going to capture your heart and mind.
One of the most revered temples situated in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, Kasar Devi Temple is believed to be found by King Rudrak in the 2nd century. It is also considered to be one of the oldest temples in the history of India.
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