Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Rudraprayag is a town in Rudraprayag district in the Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Alaknanda then proceeds towards Devaprayag where it joins with Bhagirathi river to form the river Ganges. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag.

At Rudrapryag, you can see natural beauty in its glory. Sometime back Rudraprayag was a part of the Chamoli and Tehri districts. However, in 1997, the Kedarnath valley and parts of district Tehri & Pauri were conjoined to form Rudraprayag as a new district. 

The whole expanse of Rudraprayag is exalted with enormous splendor, many destinations of religious significance and glaciers. Named after Lord Shiva’s Rudra avatar, Rudraprayag has the fortune of being the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. 

Rudraprayag is known as the last stoppage point before pilgrimage treks to Kedarnath and Badrinath. Rudraprayag is dotted with temples which are significant from archeological as well as religious points of view.

Transport

Places to See:

Guptkashi

The main attractions in the prehistoric city of Guptkashi are the ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardhnareshwar temple and Manikarnik Kund (the place of Ganga - Yamuna confluence). This place is also mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.

Gaurikund

Gaurikund is the last destination before Kedarnath to be connected with a proper transportation, after that people have to trek. The pilgrims usually have a bathe in the hot Sulphur springs and pray in Gauri temple (the spot where Ma Gauri did successful penance to attain Lord Shiva as husband) before proceeding.

Confluence

The convergence point of Rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda is simply a sight to watch. The view is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. The difference in the colors of the water of the two rivers makes it easy to distinguish the actual water mixing point. The confluence is considered so holy that thousands take a dip here to purify themselves before paying obeisance to the nearby temples of Goddess Jagadamba and Lord Shiva.

Augustmuni (Agastya muni)

Situated approximately 18 kms from Rudraprayag, Augustmuni is the place where Sage Agastya is said to have meditated for years for attaining wisdom. This place also has a temple dedicated to him.

Chopta

Chopta is a stunning hill station located about 40 kms from Gopeshwar. One can observe all the breathtaking sights of the Himalayan Mountains from here............
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Gaurikund

Gaurikund, situated amidst pristine Himalayan environs, is located in the district of Rudraprayag in the hill state of Uttarakhand in India. At an elevation of 1, 982 meters above the sea level, Gaurikund offers breathtaking panoramic view of snow capped higher Himalayan peaks. On clear days, one can even see the famous Kedarnath shrine from here.

Gaurikund, situated on the banks of river Mandakhini and about 5 Km from Sonprayag, is the last bus stop en route Kedarnath. From hereon, there is a steep climb to the celebrated destination of Kedarnath.

Gaurikund is a natural wonder that still remains unblemished by the ever increasing industrial world. It offers comfortable boarding and lodging facilities like tourist guest houses and hotels. Besides, there are a couple of Dharamshalas also where one can put up. 

Apart from being the last stop before steep Kedarnath trek, Gaurikund in itself has some interesting places to visit. There is a hot water pond where the pilgrims en route Kedarnath, bathe. The quaint mountainous destination of Gaurikund is also home to the ancient temple of Gauri Mata. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Gauri or Parvati.

Excursions...........
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Gaurikund Excursions

Hot and Cold Water Tanks

On way to Gaurikund, one finds two water tanks - one consisting of hot water with traces of sulphur and the other, a fascinating cold water spring that changes color in keeping with the changing time of the day. 

Ancient Temple Of Ganesha

Located a few kilometers away from the water tanks, this temple is unique in its own way. It is an ancient temple of beheaded Ganesha............
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Guptkashi

Guptkashi, a place filled with serenity and tranquility, is located in the district of Rudraprayag within the hill state of Uttarakhand in India. Guptkashi is about 49 km from the famous Kedarnath.

Guptkashi is considered to be as important as Kashi since it is here at Manikarnik Kund that the streams of Ganga and Yamuna are believed to meet. Guptkashi, situated in the lap of nature, is surrounded by spiritual air that is sure to captivate anyone with its mystic charm.

It is believed that after the battle of Kurukshetra when the Pandavas were on a lookout to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessing, the Lord evaded them by leaving Guptkashi for Kedarnath. Lord Shiva did not wish to meet them as he held them responsible for bloodshed and destruction of their family dynasty even though they fought for the right cause. 

Holy Places In Guptkashi

Vishwanath temple

Ardhnareshwar temple

Manikarnik Kund

Excursions...........
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Guptkashi Excursions

Ukhimath

The winter seat of Lord Kedarnath, it is 12 Km from Guptkashi

Triyuginarayan

It is believed that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place here. Tungnath: This is the highest shrine of Shiva amongst the Panch Kedars............
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How to Reach Rudraprayag

Air

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun. It is located approximately 158 km from Rudraprayag. 

Rail

The nearest railway stations to Rudraprayag are Kotdwar, located at a distance of 173 km and Rishikesh, situated at a distance of 140 km. 

Road

Rudraprayag is well-connected by a network of roads. Almost all the major towns and cities of the region like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Pauri, Joshimath, Gopeshwar, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Nainital, Almora and Delhi are well linked with Rudraprayag by motorable roads............
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Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, near Ramnagar-Kashipur highway, sprawls over an area of 520 sq km. The national park also takes in the Patli Dun valley, formed by the Ramganga River. It used to be just another Himalayan forest until the year 1936, when it was demarcated as a reserve area by the British Government and named ‘Hailey National Park’ Prior to 1936, the Maharaja of Rewa exploited this place as his ‘shikar jungle’, largely due to the varied vegetation and animal population that it offers. It was in 1954-55 that this place was renamed for the first time, as 'Ramganga National Park'. The next year, it was renamed once again and called 'Jim Corbett National Park'.

Jim Corbett National Park was declared as an almost exclusive tiger reserve on 1st April 1973, with the help of World Wildlife Fund. With this, it became one of the first national parks in India to be turned into a tiger reserve. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve boasts of a very varied geography, which ranges from hilly and riverine areas to temporary marshy depressions, plateaus and ravines. This very feature, combined with the fact that it boasts of quite a rich and varied wildlife, has made it a popular destination amongst tourists, both locals as well as foregin. Since the place is situated on the lower Himalayan belt of vegetation, it serves as an eco-tourism spot as well. 

Flora

Jim Corbett National Park boasts of a wide diversity in its flora. There are over 488 species of flora residents here, which comprises of about 110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs, 27 species of climbers and 33 species of bamboo and grass, apart from bhabar. As much as seventy five percent of the national park stands covered by Sal Shorea robusta species of tree. In some of the areas, you might be able to spot Sal as well. The trees that you can commonly find here include Haldu Adina cardifolia, pipal Ficus religiosa, Rohini Mallotus philipensis and mango Mangifera indica. The stretch along Ramganga River boasts of Sheesham Dalbergia sissoo as well. 

Fauna

There is a wide variety of animal, bird, reptile and fish species at Jim Corbett National Park. The wild animals that can be seen here include tiger, leopard, elephant, chital, sambar, hog deer, barking deer, wild boar, langur, wild pig, rhesus monkey, sambar and jackal. Amongst the birds, you would spot peacock, jungle fowl, partridge, kaleej pheasant, crow, vulture, parakeet, laughing thrush, oriole, kingfisher, drongo, dove, woodpecker, duck, teal, stork, cormorant and seagull. The park also houses reptiles like Indian marsh crocodile, gharial, King cobra, common krait, cobra, Russels viper, python, and monitor lizard and the fish species of mahaseer, kalimuchi, kalabasu, chilwa and goonch.

Transport

What Activities to do...........
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