GUPTKASHI
Guptkashi is situated 47kms before the holiest shrine of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath. It is located on the route to Kedarnath on a ridge on the west side of the Mandakini river valley at an elevation of 1,319 mts above sea level. Guptkashi is a religiously important town of Uttarakhand as it houses ancient temples like Vishwanath temple and Ardhnarishwar temple. The centermost attraction of Guptkashi town, Manikarnika Kund is a place where two streams of the Ganga and Yamuna meet. Gaurikund, the town from where trek to Kedarnath commences is situated 34kms ahead of Guptkashi. Guptkashi is situated on the mountain facing Ukhimath town. When the Pandavas were searching for a glimpse of Shiva, Shiva first concealed himself in Gupt Kashi but later fled from them further up the valley to Kedarnath. The main temple of Guptkashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vishwanath "Lord of the Universe". It is built by regional stones and is situated in an enclosed courtyard. The small temple to its left is Ardhanarishvar..
TEMPLES
Vishwanath Temple:
The main temple of Guptkashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vishwanath - "Lord of the Universe". It is built by regional stones and is situated in an enclosed courtyard. The small temple to its left is Ardhanarishvara.
Manikarnika Kund:
It is a place where two streams of the Ganga and Yamuna meet. It is situated in the premises of Vishwanath Temple.
Ardhnarehswar
One of the popular temples in Guptkashi, the temple of Ardhnareshwar is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his half male and half female form also known as Ardhnareshwar.
HOW TO REACH GUPTKASHI
By Air:
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Guptkashi situated at a distance of 190kms. Jolly Grant Airport is a domestic airport well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Guptkashi.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Gaurikund is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 168kms before Guptkashi on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh to Guptkashi.
By Road:
Guptkashi is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Guptkashi are easily available from all major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Srinagar, Chamoli etc. Guptkashi lies on National Highway 109 which connects Rudraprayag with Kedarnath.