Rudranath Temple

Rudranath is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva, located in the Garhwal Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand, India. Located at 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) above sea level, this natural rock temple is situated within a dense forest of rhododendron dwarfs and Alpine pastures. The face (mukha) of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here. Literally, the word ‘Rudranath’ means ‘Him who is Angry’.

Rudranath Temple comes in the Panch Kedar (five Kedar) pilgrimage circuit. The other four temples of this circuit include the Kedarnath Temple, the Tungnath Temple, the Madhyamaheshwar Temple, and the Kalpeshwar Temple.

The temple is surrounded by a number of pools – Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund – while the great peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti rear overhead. It is the toughest trek to reach as compared to other Panch Kedar dham of Lord Shiva. Devotees generally take bath in the Narad Kund prior to visiting the temple.

The deity is a Swyam Bhuva (Self Appeared) Shivalinga shaped like a human face formed by the projection of a huge rock. This face has a serene smile and a gaze of pure benevolence in the all-seeing eyes. Measuring about 3 feet from the chin to the top of the jatas, a white cloth remains bound tightly on the crown of Lord Shiva.