Kalpeshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at an elevation of 2,200 m in the picturesque Urgam valley in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in India.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
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 was spotted at Tungnath, his head surfaced at Rudranath, the stomach and navel were traced at Madhyamaheswar and his jata were 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 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, the wife of Pandavas, sought Lord Krishna’s help. Krishna materialised on the scene and solved the problem
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Joshimath is the nearest town at a distance of 25 km from Kalpeshwar. The 14 km distance from Joshimath to Helang is motorable. Regular taxis are available from Joshimath to Helang. UPSRTC buses operate frequently between Joshimath and other nearby cities like Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun. The nearest village is Urgam, just 2 km away from Kalpeshwar and is accessible from Helang by crossing the Alakananda.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh
By Air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant,Dehradun.
Shrine Timings
Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Shivratri