On the way to Chopta : Dive into Spirituality of Uttarakhand
Hello all,
I recently discussed our Chopta trip and Deoriatal Chandrashila trek with our friend. I told her about the trip, stay, guide and places to visit. And then I realised I hadn’t discussed places to see on the road to Chopta here on this blog. How ignorant of me? How did it escape from my mind? Whenver we reach Dehradun airport, it is like we are in different world. We feel like we have arrived at home.
The drive from Dehradun to Chopta is incredible, with many places to visit and many divine places to immerse in the state’s spirituality. Uttarakhand is the state of Panch Kedar and the state of divinity. So how can you return to your home without experiencing a little bit of it? So these are the places you shouldn’t miss when you are going to Chopta.
Devprayag : Where river Ganga takes her true form…
Prayag means the confluence of rivers. There are five such Prayags in Uttarakhand. Devprayag is the last one, and it is the sangam of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers to form the mighty, holiest Ganga. Some believe that River GangaJi started in Gaumukh, but actually GangaJi is formed here. We love rivers, and when we visit such a holy and divine place with the confluence of rivers, we are truly blessed!
The confluence point is easily visible from the highway of Rishikesh-Badrinath, so stop the car; if you don’t want to go down, take a few minutes and enjoy this pristine place from afar. If you want to go to the confluence, you can walk on a beautiful suspension bridge on the Bhagirathi river and reach the rivers via a small market.
There is a temple named Raghunath temple of Lord Vishnu here. It is believed that Lord Ram did his penance here after killing Ravan.
You can see the difference between the two rivers and how gradually and stunningly they become one. The white clean waters of Bhagirathi with dark water with slit in Alaknanda. It is also said that the Saraswati river, which originates near Badrinath, comes here and, from the feet of the Raghunathji, meets the two mighty rivers underground. So in that sense Devprayag is Triveni sangam. Alaknanda is more bouncy, playful and ferocious than Bhagirathi, but her water is murkier than the latter.
So while you are on this highway, don’t just witness this from afar; take an hour or two, roam in those narrow lanes of Devpryag, cross the fantastic bridge with the Bhagirathi river passing playfully beneath and reach the Sangam. Sit there silently, watching the beautiful convergence; it is like the magnificent magic of Mother Nature.
Location of Dev Prayag: Google Map link
Distance from Dehradun airport: 86 km, 2 and half hours.
Distance of Rishikesh: 27 km, 2 hours
Dhari Devi temple : Protector of Dev Bhoomi…
For most temples, we have a particular idol of God or Goddess, and we want to pray or worship there. But this temple is not only a place of worship but also a temple of stories, a temple of mysteries, and a temple of beliefs.
Here are a few facts about the temple:
The temple’s most peculiar part is that Maa Kali resides in her half-form. Only the upper half of the body is present in this temple. The lower half is in Kalimath temple.
The Goddess here is one of the 108 Shaktipeeths.
The Goddess is the protector of Uttarakhand and Char-Dham.
It is also believed that The deity changes her appearance during the day from a girl in the morning to a woman in the afternoon and to an old lady in the night.
The Goddess’s idol should be open so there is no roof over the idol.
Trail type:
You have to trek approximately 1 km downhill on a paved path on the banks of the river Alakananda.
There is a walkway with railing from the banks of the river to the main temple. The temple is located on a concrete platform in the river.
The History of Dhari Devi Temple
There is a story behind the temple, and from this story, the temple is known as Dhari Devi temple because, in the local language, Dhari means who is stuck. In Dwapar Yug, during a severe flood, the temple was affected by a severe flood, and the Goddess idol flowed in the Alaknanda River, where the idol was stuck near a rock. A divine calling instructed the villagers to keep idols there only, and the temple was built in the same place.
Another catastrophic event is also associated with this temple. In 2013, the hydroelectric dam construction was going on the Alaknanda River. So, there was a preparation for the relocation of the temple. Local opposition was massive, but authorities were determined to complete the project. The idol was shifted on 16th June 2023. Within hours of the idol moving, there was a massive cloud burst, which led to horrifying floods and landslides in Kedarnath, killing thousands of people and creating havoc in the region. Is it a superstition or coincidence? We don’t know, and we might not. It depends on the beliefs of the individual.
The new temple was developed at the site of the previous one in 2017.
Dhari Devi Temple Temple Timings :
from 5:30 AM to 9 PM
The first aarti at 5:30 AM
the last aarti at 8:30 PM.
Location of Dhari Devi temple:
In between Srinagar and Rudraprayag on the banks of River Alaknanda, Around 50Km from Devprayag Google Map link
Distance from Dehradun airport: 133 km, appx 4 hours
Distance of Rishikesh: 119 km, appx 3 and half hours
Omekareshwar temple in Ukhimath : Winter home of Kedarnath Baba and Madhmaheshwar Baba
This beautiful temple is nestled in the small, beautiful, stunning town of Ukhimath, in the Rudraprayag district, at an elevation of 1300 m. The temple is the winter home of the deities of the Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar. During winter months, from November to April, the Kedarnath temple is covered with deep snow, so the doli of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples are brought here and worshipped here. It is believed that one who does not get a chance to visit Kedarnath Dham can come here and seek blessings. We were lucky to visit the temple in winter when the doli of Kedarnath ji and Madhyamaheshwar ji were here. This temple is one of the temples of the Winter circuit of Char Dham, including Omkareshwar, Yogdhyan Badri, Mukhba, and Kharsali.
Style:
The temple is constructed in the Katyayani architectural style. The black temple is divine, and you will feel blessed just by looking at the temple and the blue and red coloured wooden frame around the entrance. The temple has a navel-shaped Shivlinga made of black stone. There are shrines of Parvati and Ardhanarishwara… The wooden carvings, intricate work, and peaceful and serene surroundings are heavenly.
The story behind the temple:
As per mythology, it is believed that King Mandhata worshipped Lord Shiva here on one leg for 12 years. Pleased with his penance, Lord Shiva appeared as Om and blessed him. So, the temple is known as Omkareshwar.
Another mythology is that the marriage of Usha (daughter of Vanasur) and Anirudh (grandson of Lord Krishna) took place in this temple.
Timings for darshan :
5 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 9 pm.
There is no entry fee to visit this temple.
Best time to visit :
October to April Because at this time, you can worship visit Kedarnath ji and MahymaheshwarJi here
Festival:
Madmeshwar Mela is held d during summer when doli from Omkareshwar go to its Kedarnath and Madmeshwear.
Location of Omkarehswar temple : Ukhimath: Google Map link
Distance from Dehradun airport: 191 km, 5 and half hours
Distance of Rishikesh: 177 km, appx 5 hours
So, whether you are spiritual or not, visit these places to dive into the state’s immense divineness and devotion. We are sure you will feel blessed.
Thank you.
Notice: Undefined variable: content in /home/safarwit/public_html/wp-content/themes/safar/single-our_trips.php on line 60
Notice: Undefined variable: content in /home/safarwit/public_html/wp-content/themes/safar/single-our_trips.php on line 60
Superb Kajal your article is strong enough to vertual visit feeling . Superb keep tracking n keep writing n keep motivating
Thank you so much for always appreciating….