| Char Dham Yatra – towards Badrinath, Day 58 |


Having had Darshan of Bansi Narayan Ji, we will have the Darshan of Kalpeshwar temple next. So come on, let’s go to have Darshan of Lord Kalpeshwar. I will narrate to you His glory.

Kalpeshwar Temple

Kalpeshwar temple is one amongst many prominent & sacred religious destinations in Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Urgam Valley of Chamoli district. The matted tresses of Lord Shiva who is one amongst the acclaimed Holy trinity of the Hindu religion, are worshipped here meaning, the holy locks of hair of Lord Shiva are prayed to and worshipped here. This temple is 5th amongst the Panchkedar pilgrim centers. Amongst devotees, the Kalpeshwar temple is popularly called “Anadinath Kalpeshwar Mahadev”.

This temple has to be reached through a cave. You can have Darshan of this temple at any time of the year. It is located at quite a great height. The naturally formed tresses of Lord Shiva tresses are profiled in relief, bulging out strikingly, on a rock. A water body whose water is always pure is also present here. Pilgrims collect and drink the holy water from here, to rid themselves of their health problems and varied diseases. The saints, sages and ascetics present here also use this water to worship Lord Shiva and to engage in His penance.

The priests in Kalpeshwar temple are the Namboodiri brahmins from south India. It is said of these priests that they are all the disciples of Adi Guru Shankaracharya. According to the Shiv Puran, Sage Durvasa had performed penance seated under the wish-fulfilling Kalpavriksha tree that was present here. It is since then that this place has come to be called as Kalpeshwar. This temple is the only one among the 5 Kedars situated at a height lower than that of the other 4 and whose doors are open for Darshan throughout the year. During the month of Shravana (the 5th month of the Hindu calendar that is considered very auspicious by all Hindus), there is a steady stream of devotees flocking to this temple. The Devas, intimidated by the constant harassment and torture at the hands of the Asuras (demons), observed the Narayan Stuti here in Kalpasthal and having had the Darshan of Lord Shiva, they secured the boon of fearlessness and protection. The Kalpeshwar temple is located in Kalpaganga which was called ‘Hiranyavati’ in ancient times. The right side bank of the Kalpaganga is called the Durvasa Bhoomi or the Durvasa bank. Dhyan Badri temple is situated on this bank. There is an old pit at the foot of the Kalpeshwar rock that has a naturally formed Shiv Ling within. This was earlier a Kalpavriksha in the Kedar temple at Devagram. The king of Devas Indra had received this Kalpataru as a boon, when he engaged in the penance and worship of Lord Shiva in order to redeem himself from Sage Durvasa’s curse.

Salutations to such a sacred place!

(To be continued …)