Kartik Swami Temple
Kanakchauri, Uttarakhand · Lord Kartikeya (Murugan) · Murugan Temple
High ridge Murugan shrine above Kanakchauri with 360° Himalayan views on the Rudraprayag–Chopta belt.
Kartik Swami Temple crowns a peak reachable by trek from Kanakchauri village, listed on Uttarakhand Tourism and district Rudraprayag pages as a Kartikeya shrine with sweeping Garhwal panoramas.
History
Local tradition holds that Kartikeya stood here after visiting Kedarnath; the open ridge temple is wind-swept year-round.
Incredible India lists the Kartik Swami 108 Valampuri Shankh Pooja at Kanakchauri in Rudraprayag district, held on 9 May in 2026 and scheduled again for May 2027. Saints from Kartik Swami temples in southern India take part, alongside traditional rituals, local crafts and folk performances.
Good to know
~3 km trek from Kanakchauri
Kartikeya idol on summit
Views toward Chopta–Kedarnath axis
Getting there
Nearest airport: Dehradun. Road to Kanakchauri from Rudraprayag/Pokhri; trek to summit.
Best time to visit: May – Jun, Sep – Nov