Sidhpeeth Kalimath Mandir Rudraprayag
Uttarakhand is frequently referred to as the home of Gods and Goddesses since it is studded with many temples and pilgrimages. And Kalimath Temple, one of Uttarakhand’s many holy places, is quite well-known. Kalimath Temple is located in Rudraprayag district, 13 km north of Guptkashi, and is surrounded by the Kedarnath mountains.
It is close to the shores of the River Saraswati. The temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali, is one of the most popular religious tourist destinations in Rudraprayag and is situated at a height of approximately 1463 metres above sea level.
The Kalimath Temple is considered to be among the 108 Shakti Peethas according to the Srimad Devi Bhagwat Mahapuran. Not only that, but the Skanda Purana’s chapter 62 also makes reference to this archaeological site in Uttarakhand.
A unique feature of the Kalimath Temple is that only the bottom half of Goddess Kali is worshipped there, whereas the upper half is worshipped in the Dhara Devi Temple, which is situated near Rudraprayag and Srinagar.
Kalimath Temple History
Originally, the community of Kalimath was referred to as Kavaltha. The famous poet Kalidas is claimed to have visited this location in the 14th century for meditating, and through his worship of Mother Kali during that time, he is said to have achieved some spiritual power. After that, “Meghdoot” wrote other works and rose to fame.
Natural disasters left the Main Temple unbuilt; in the 10th century AD, Jagat Guru Adi Shankaracharya Ji rebuilt it.
The “Goddess Kali” of Hinduism is honoured in the Kalimath Temple. Similar to Kamakhya Devi Temple and Jwalamukhi Temple, the daily routine of this temple is extremely orderly and rigid. The 62 chapters of Kedarkhand’s Skandpuran section include an overview of the shrine.
The most intriguing aspect of the Kalimath temple that no idols are worshipped there; instead, all followers worship the Kund, a tank located inside the building, which is permanently covered with the Raktpat Sri Yantra. This Kund is only ever decided to open on the day of Sharda Navaratri, which falls during the Ashta Navami festival.
Popular Beliefs and Significance of Kalimath Temple
Inside the temple, there is a perpetual flame blazing and three rocks called Raktashila, Mathangshila, and Chandrashila. The goddess Kali is thought to have vanished here after fighting the monsters. As a result of a natural disaster, the temple became disorganised, but when Shankaracharya returned, he rebuilt the Kalimath temple.
Goddess Kali’s footsteps are still visible on the sacred boulder known as “Kalishila” in the temple premises, and it is claimed that goddess Durga used this rock to defeat the demons Shumbh, Nishumbh, and Raktabeejasur.
The 64 instruments known as Kalilshila are thought to have been created by Hindu gods and goddesses. And the goddess Durga allegedly measured her demon-killing ability using the Kalishila rock. One of Uttarakhand’s most revered temples, Kalimath is the only spot where Kali Mata may be found with her siblings Lakshmi Mata and Saraswati Mata.
Nearby places to visit near Kalimath Temple
Best Time to visit Kalimath Temple
The Garhwal Himalayas, where the famed temple of Kalimath is situated, ensure that the area’s climate is consistently frigid and cold. The best time to visit Kalimath Temple is during the summer, from April to June. The area’s temperature will remain between 20°C to 36°C during these months. While the monsoon season is prone to flooding and catastrophes due to the excessive rainfall. Similar to this, the winter season (December to February) experiences bitterly cold weather, with lows as low as 0°C.
Where to stay in Kalimath?
One might look for accommodations at Rudraprayag and Ukhimath, which are only 48 and 21 kilometres apart, respectively, away from one other. In contrast to Ukhimath, Rudraprayag offers a good selection of hotels for tourists of all types. In Rudraprayag, there are many different lodging options, ranging from fancy hotels, tents, and cabins to cheap hotels, resorts, and homestays.
Kalimath – Nearby Tourist attractions
It would not be appropriate to limit your visit to Kalimath Temple to your time in Uttarakhand. You can undoubtedly make the most of your time while on your Himalayan vacation at any of the several other stunning and equally captivating tourist destinations that surround Kalimath temple.
Gaurikund: Gaurikund, a significant pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand, is well-known for its vibrant flora and picturesque landscapes, which rank it as one of the top tourist attractions in the state. This charming hill town serves as the beginning point of the Kedarnath Trek, thus it makes sense.
Shri Kedarnath Temple: One of Uttarakhand’s four main pilgrimage sites, Kedarnath Temple, also known as Kedarnath Dham, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world from April/May to October, when the Char Dham Yatra is conducted. The temple, which honours Lord Shiva, is regarded as one of India’s most important religious monuments.
Chopta: Chopta, one of India’s most beautiful locations, is a paradise of unending splendor and one of the best locations in the area for nature gazing. Chopta, the location of the well-known Tungnath Temple, is renowned for its lush valleys, lovely grasslands, sloping mountains, and tranquil atmosphere, all of which contribute to an unforgettable trip to Uttarakhand. Hiking and trekking are two popular activities that many tourists engage in while in Chopta.
Ukhimath: Ukhimath is undoubtedly one of the best neighboring destinations to visit from Kalimath because it is decorated with abundant natural beauty and steeped in religion. Because the statues of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar were moved from their own temples to Ukhimath, the town is also regarded as their winter home. The Omkareshwar Temple, one of the nation’s oldest temples, is this location’s main draw in addition to its mesmerising surroundings.
Rudraprayag: Rudraprayag is a city and a district in Uttarakhand, and one of the Panch Prayags of the Alaknanda River. Rudraprayag as a whole is renowned for its glaciers, lakes, religious locations, and timeless beauty. Two well-known temples in Rudraprayag that draw lots of worshippers all year around are the Shiva and Jagdamba Temples.
How to reach Kalimath Temple?
The closest airport to Kalimath, which is situated about 204 kilometres away, is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to transport you to Kalmath. Additionally, buses run frequently from Dehradun and Rudraprayag. One can take a taxi from the airport to Kalimath.
If you prefer to go by train, the closest stations to Kalimath are Rishikesh and Haridwar, which are separated by distances of 186 and 210 kilometres, respectively. Haridwar has the best connectivity to the temple of the two stations. You can take a taxi to the location from the station.
On the other hand, roads are the quickest route to Kalimath. Between Rudraprayag and the various regions of Uttarakhand, there are several buses and taxis that operate back and forth. You can take a taxi from Rudraprayag to get to the temple.
