Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple

History

Incredible India’s Kedarnath itineraries describe Guptkashi as the starting gateway where pilgrims worship Lord Shiva for a safe mountain journey.

The name echoes the “hidden Kashi” legend tied to Shiva concealing himself in the Garhwal Himalayas on the Pandava trail.

Stories

Where Shiva Hid as a Bull

A popular legend says that after the Kurukshetra war the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Shiva. Shiva, displeased, avoided them at Kashi and went in disguise as a bull to this place on the Mandakini river. They recognised him, and when Bhima tried to seize the bull it sank into the ground.

Shiva is then said to have reappeared in five parts, the hump at Kedarnath, the face at Rudranath, the arms at Tungnath, the navel at Madhyamaheshwar and the locks at Kalpeshwar. The place where he hid is remembered as Guptakashi, the hidden Kashi.

The Gateway Town Before Kedarnath

Guptakashi lies at about 1,319 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya of Rudraprayag district, on the road to Kedarnath. It is known for the ancient Vishwanath temple of Shiva, said to resemble the one in Varanasi, and for a nearby temple of Ardhanareshvara, the half-male half-female form of Shiva and Parvati. Pilgrims on the way to Kedarnath commonly stop here for darshan before going further. On a clear day the snowy peaks of Chaukhamba make a backdrop to the town.

Good to know

Char Dham approach town on NH107

Vishwanath shrine paired with Ardhanarishwar temple locally

Helicopter and road hub for Kedarnath season

Getting there

Nearest airport: Dehradun (Jolly Grant). Nearest railhead: Rishikesh. Guptkashi lies on the Rudraprayag–Gaurikund road (~47 km from Kedarnath trek base).