Guptkashi Travel Guide (Char Dham)

Guptkashi (Guptakashi or Gupta Kashi) is a large village and town located at an elevation of 1,319 metres in the Kedar-khanda on the Rudraprayag-kedarnath highway. Guptkashi is 39 kms from Rudraprayag by road and 178 kms from Rishikesh.

Guptkashi is famous for the ancient Vishwanath Temple - dedicated to god Shiva - similar to the one in Varanasi (Kashi). The other famous temple here is dedicated to Ardhanareshvara (a half man half woman form of Shiva and Parvati). Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places.

Mythology / Importance Of Guptkashi

  • Mythology also states that Shiva proposed to Parvati at Guptakashi (on the road to Kedarnath) before they got married in the small Triyuginarayan village at the confluence of Mandakini and Sone-Ganga rivers.
  • It is believed that after the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. But Lord Shiva evaded from Guptkashi to Kedarnath as He did not want to meet the Pandavas, the reason being that although they had fought for the right cause, they were also responsible for destroying their own dynasty.
  • According to Puranic literature, Kashi and Kanchi (Kanchipuram) are considered as two eyes of Shiva. Keeping this connotation in view, six more “Kashi”s have been prescribed to be as sacred and spiritual as the main Kashi – Varanasi. Pilgrims, who cannot undertake the long journey to the main Kashi, can travel to the closest Kashi. The six other “Kashi”s cover all the regions of the country. These are: Uttarkashi and Guptakashi in Uttarakhand in Northern Himalayas.
  • Another legend declares that when the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb demolished the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1669, and constructed Gaynvapi Mosque (he had even renamed Varanasi as Mohammadabad), the Shiva Linga was shifted to Guptakashi for safe keeping. But the original linga of Kashi Vishwanath is stated to have remained here from the time it was shifted.

Places To Visit In Guptkashi

  • Chopta:- Chopta is a popular trekking and camping destination in Uttarakhand state of India. It a paradise for Nature lovers. Many tourists or trekkers visit this destination every year.
  • Karanprayag:- This place is situated 22 km from Nandprayag. It is situated at a holy confluence of Alakananda and Pindar River at an height of 788 mt above from the sea level.
  • Nanda Temple:- This religious Hindu temple is situated at the confluence of two holy rivers which are Alakananda and Nandakini river. It is located in Nandaprayag.
  • 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
  • Tungnath:- It is the highest temple of Hindu Lord Shiva. It is a one of the five temple which comes under the Panch kedar circuit.
  • Kedarnath:– It is one of the most popular temples in Uttarakhand. It comes under the Chota Chardham circuit. Pilgrims have to trek 16 km to visit this holy temple.
  • Chandrashila Trek:– Chandrashila trek is started from Chopta. This trek offers you the beautiful view of some snow covered mountains.
  • Dugalbitta:– Dugal Bitta means the space of location between the two mountains. It is a part of Kedaarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and it is a natural treasure itself.
  • Gaurikund Temple: This is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Parvati who is the wife of the Hindu Lord Shiva. In this temple pilgrims offers their prayers. Pilgrims on their way or yatra to Kedarnath Temple makes it a point to stop here to visit this holy religious temple.
  • Gauri Kund: This Kund is also known as Gauri Lake, the Lake of Compassion or Parvati Sarovar, Hindu people consider this lake as a sacred lake and believes that this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha.
  • Sonprayag:– It is situated on the confluence of twon sacred rivers which are Mandakini and Vasuki river. This place is located on the route of Kedarnath Temple.

Char Dham Distance Chart From Guptkashi

GuptKashi is a important market town on the road to Kedarnath, and an important stop on the traditional pilgrim route of Char Dham Yatra. Many pilgrims during their Kedarnath Yatra take halt at Guptkashi or purchase important items from this market.

Guptkashi  – Yamunotri
Distance:– 305 kms
Time:– 12 hrs
Route:- Guptkashi – Ukhimath  – Augastmuni –Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Chinyalisaur – Dharasu Band – Barkot – Jankichatti – Yamunotri

Guptkashi – Gangotri
Distance:– 312 kms
Time:– 12 hrs
Route:– Guptkashi – Ukhimath  – Augustmuni – Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Naughar –Uttarkashi – Gangotri

Guptkashi – Kedarnath
Distance:- 50 Kms
Time:– 2 hrs
Route:– Guptkashi – Sonprayag –  Gaurikund – Kedarnath

Guptkashi – Badrinath
Distance:– 198 kms
Time:- 8 hrs
Route:– Guptkashi – Ukhimath – Chamoli – Pipalkoti  – Joshimath–Govindghat – Pandukeshwar –Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath

Top 5 Places To Stay in Guptkashi

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

1) Kedar Camp Resorts
This resort is located at a calm place which is surrounded by greenery where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of Himalayn peaks.
Address:- Village Rudrapur, Jahkdhar Road, Guptakashi, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, 246439.

2) Himalayan Eco Lodge Kund
This hotel offers you a cosy stay with a warm hospitality. It also has a inhouse multi cuisine restaurant offering a wide range of regional delicacies.
Address:- Sansari Village, Kund, Chopta.

3) The Rudralok Hotel
This hotel is situated in Gopeshwar. All rooms are well maintained and has a TV with cable channels, AC, Wardrobe and a attached bathroom.
Address:- 1 Gopeshwar Mandal Road, Chamoli Gopeshwar 246401.

4) Peaches And Pears
Peaches and Pears is a Himalayan homestay which runs by a local family that offers warm hospitality to their guests. This beautiful homestay offers its guests to witness the local culture and the beauty of nature.
Address:- Ghingran Road, Rauli, Gopeshwar, Uttarakhand.

5) Himalaya Resort
This resort is the second home for travelers or trekkers of Chopta, Tungnath, and Chandrashila. This resort is the best place for trekkers and backpackers who are looking for adventure in the beautiful dense forest of Deodar, Pine and Oak trees.
Address:- Ukhiamath-Chopta- Gopeshwar Road, Chopta 246419 India,

How To Reach Guptkashi

Guptkashi well connected by motorable roads but the place does not have any airports and railway stations. You can easily travel here by using public transport as well as by driving your own vehicle.

Route 1:- Delhi – Guptkashi via Haridwar

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

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

Route 2:- Delhi – Guptkashi via Dehradun

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

Guptkashi 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 Guptkashi. It will take approximately 8 hours to reach Guptkashi.

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