Dharali Kalp Kedar Temple, Uttarakhand

Address

Dharali Kalp Kedar Temple – Uttarakhand

Dharali, Mukhawa,

Uttarkashi district,

Uttarakhand 249135

Moolavar

Lord Shiva

Introduction

Kalp Kedar Temple is a significant temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Dharali near Gangotri in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. It is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, about 20 kilometers downstream from Gangotri.

Puranic Significance

Historical and Religious Significance:

The temple is believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas, a legendary group of heroes from the Indian epic Mahabharata.
Kalp Kedar Temple is considered to be more than 1500 years old, making it an ancient and historically significant religious site.

Unique Features:

One of the intriguing features of the temple’s façade is the face of Kalabhairava, who is the fierce attendant of Lord Shiva. Kalabhairava is often associated with the aspect of time and is considered a protector of the Shiva temples.
The temple was originally built to overlook the Ganga River, but it later sank or became submerged.

Natural Disasters:

Over the years, the temple has faced the impact of natural disasters and glacial shifts. Shrines dedicated to Parvati and Ganesha, which were situated adjacent to the main temple, were destroyed during a glacial shift.
Another glacial shift that occurred between 1935 and 1938 submerged the Kalp Kedar temple.

Current State:

While the temple was partially excavated in the 1980s, a significant portion of the structure, approximately 6-9 feet, remains underwater.
Only the dome of the temple is visible, and the rest of the temple’s body is submerged in the earth.
The temple’s door can be seen from the top, but it is filled with water, and the Shivalinga inside is not visible.

Religious Belief:

There is a belief that during the Hindu month of Shravan, the river Ganga rises up to touch Lord Shiva, washing the Panch-Mukhi lingam (a five-faced Shivalinga).

Kalp Kedar Temple stands as a testimony to the rich religious and cultural heritage of the region. While a significant part of the temple is submerged, it remains an important pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva and continues to attract visitors from around the world. The presence of Kalabhairava on the temple’s façade adds to its unique charm.