Karnaprayag Travel Guide (Char Dham)

Karanprayag (Karnprayag or Karnaprayag) is a small city in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. Karanprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda, and Pindar River.

It is one of the five places where the confluence of sacred river Ganga occurs. It is one of the five prayags in India which are:- Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karanaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devpryag. People believe that the Karanprayag is the place where the popular warrior from the Epic Mahabharata has worshipped Surya devta (Sun God) here.

This sacred place is situated at an elevation of 1,451m above from the sea level. It is also known as the city of Karna of the Mahabharata.  This place is famous for connecting the Garhwal region with the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand via NH 109. Swami Vivekananda also meditated here while on his visit on the Himalayas.

Karnaprayag is the base for treks to Roopkund and the Bedni Bugyals and the approach to the Pindari Glacier.

Mythology/ Importance of Karanprayag

Karanprayag is believed by many to be the place where Karna of the Mahabharata, was to have worshipped the Sun God. It is the ancient temple, devoted to Uma and Karna.

Swami Vivekananda meditated here for eighteen days with his Guru Bhai, Guru Turianand Ji and Akharanand Ji.

And also it is the same place where the famous Hindu God Krishna did the cremation of Karna of Mahabharata.

Places To Visit In Karanprayag

  • Adi Badri:- It is a part of famous Panch Badri of Uttarakhand. Adi Badri is a group of 16 temples belonging to the Gupt Period. This place is situated within the Badrikshetra&nbsp, and Badrinath being the name of Vishnu.
  • Uma Devi Temple:– This sacred temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Parvati or Gauri who is the wife of Hindu Lord Shiva. This holy shrine is situated near the sacred confluence of Pindar and Alakananda River.
  • Nauti Village:– This is the place from the Nautiyals Garhwali came from. It is also known as the village of Nanda Devi and Sati Mata.
  • Chandika Devi Simli:–  It is also known as Sri Raj Rajeshwari Chandika Mata Mandir. It is dedicated to the Goddess Kali Mata who is also known as the destroyer of evil forces. The holy shrine is situated on the tiny hamlet of Simli in Karnaprayag Uttarakhand.
  • Karna Temple:–  This temple is situated on the holy confluence of two sacred rivers in Karnaprayag Pindar river and Alakananda river. This temple is dedicated to the warrior of the Mahabharata war “Karna”.
  • Nandaprayag:– It is a small town which is situated in the sacred confluence of the two rivers which are Alakananda and Nandakini. People believe that a holy dip in this sacred confluence will wash all their sins.

Char Dham Distance Chart From Karanprayag

KarnaPrayag is on the way to Badrinath from Rudraprayag, many tourist take a night halt at Karnaprayag during Char Dham Yatra.
Karanprayag is 11 kms from Gauchar, 69 kms from Gwaldam, 115 kms from Sri Kedarnath Temple and the road to 128 kms from Sri Badrinath Temple via Joshimath.

Karanprayag – Yamunotri
Distance:- 292 kms
Time:- 10-11 hrs
Route:- Karanprayag – RudraprayagSrinagar – Chinyalisaur – Dharasu BandBarkotJankichattiYamunotri

Karanprayag – Gangotri
Distance:- 300 kms
Time:- 10-12 hrs
Route:- Karanprayag – Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Naughar – Uttarkashi Gangotri

Karanprayag – Kedarnath
Distance:- 115 kms
Time:- 4 – 5 Hr
Route:- Karanprayag – Rudraprayag  – AugustmuniGuptkashiGaurikund – Kedarnath Base Camp – Kedarnath Temple

Karanprayag – Badrinath
Distance:- 128 kms
Time:- 4 – 5 hrs
Route:- Karnaprayag – NandaprayagPipalkotiJoshimathGovindghatBadrinath

Top 5 Places To Stay In Karanprayag

There are few options for accommodation in Karanprayag during Char Dham Yatra. Following is the list of hotels, resorts, guest houses in Karanprayag.

1) AR Resort
This hotel is situated at the main road.  It is the best hotel for the peoples who are travelling to the Sacred place Badrinath. This hotel offers all the basic facilities in the room.
Address:- Badrinath Road Kameda, Gauchar 246429 India

2) The Kedar Dev’s Hotel
This hotel offers a confortable stay for people travelling to Karnaprayag. It has 13 rooms in very good condition. It has all essential services like Wifi, 24 hrs reception, room service etc. It is situated near the popular fishing and scenic spots.
Address:- Bhakunda,10 kms from Karanprayag, Badrinath Highway, Badrinath, Uttarakhand 246446, Karnaprayag, India

3) Luxurious Loft House
Luxurious Loft House is situated near Karnaprayag. It offers comfortable and cosy lodgings, Furnished to fulfil the needs of their guests.
Address:- Simli-Benital Road Near Kedarukhal Ratura Village Karnaprayag Uttarakhand, Karnaprayag, India

4) Nandu Peace Life Home Stay 
This Homestay is situated in Nandaprayag. It offers a beautiful garden, Restaurant and a Bar. It has 6 rooms and a kitchen,Free Parking and Room service and a terrace etc.
Address:- Village Harakoti Post Office Sonla,, 246449 Nandaprayāg, India 

5) Birdsong & Beyond by OpenSky 
It is located in  Chamoli near Karnaprayag. It offers their guest many facilities like:- Terrace and shared lounge, Free parking and shared kitchen and a continental breakfast.
Address:- Guniyala Khal, Pokhari-Nagnath Near Rudraprayag Pokhari Road, Pokhari, 246473 Chamoli, India

How to Reach Karanprayag

Karanprayag is well connected by motorable roads but the place does not have any airports and railway stations. Many pilgrims visit Karanprayag for religious purposes and take a dip into the holy confluence of Karanprayag because people believes that a holy dip in this sacred confluence will wash away all their sins. You can easily travel here by using public transport as well as by driving your own vehicle.

Route 1:- Delhi – Karanprayag via Haridwar

By Road:- Karanprayag is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for travelling to karanprayag from Delhi via Haridwar. You can also drive your car to travel karanprayag.

Karanprayag does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Dehradun via train or air then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Karnaprayag. It will take approximately 7 hours to reach Karnaprayag.

Route 2:- Delhi –Karanprayag via Dehradun

By Road:- Karanprayag is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to karanprayag from Delhi via Dehradun. You can also drive your car to travel karanprayag.

Karanprayag does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Dehradun via train or air then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Karnaprayag. It will take approximately 7 hours to reach Karnaprayag.

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