Rudraprayag

This article is about the municipality in Uttarakhand, India. For its namesake district, see Rudraprayag district.
Rudraprayag
रुद्र प्रयाग
city

Confluence of Alaknanda (bottom, from right) and Mandakini River (flowing from top - North) at Rudraprayag. Before 17 June 2013, there was a footbridge (jhula) over the Mandakini; this was washed away in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. The stones at the bottom of the stairs were not there; instead, there was a viewing platform, and a large rock called Narad Shila.
Rudraprayag

Location in Uttarakhand, India

Coordinates: 30°17′N 78°59′E / 30.28°N 78.98°E / 30.28; 78.98Coordinates: 30°17′N 78°59′E / 30.28°N 78.98°E / 30.28; 78.98
Country  India
State Uttarakhand
District Rudraprayag
Elevation 895 m (2,936 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 2,242
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Website rudraprayag.nic.in

Rudraprayag is a town and a municipality in Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag. The famous man eating Leopard of Rudraprayag hunted and written about by Jim Corbett dwelled here.

Geography

Rudraprayag is located at 30°17′N 78°59′E / 30.28°N 78.98°E / 30.28; 78.98.[1] It has an average elevation of 895 metres (2,936 feet).

Many of the newer buildings and particularly the sangam (confluence) area was severely damaged in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. A footbridge over the Mandakini river, and also a road bridge six km downstream at Raitoli was washed away. The layout of the sangam has altered significantly. The road along the Mandakini valley, leading to Kedarnath, was damaged at many points.

How to reach

Air

The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun 183 km (114 mi) away.

Railway

The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh. However, Rishikesh is a small railway station not connected by fast trains. Haridwar railway junction, 24 km farther from Rishikesh, has train connections to most of the major cities in India and is, therefore, the railhead for Rudraprayag.

Road

Rudraprayag lies on national highway NH58 that connects Delhi with Badrinath and Mana Pass in Uttarakhand near Indo-Tibet border. Therefore all the buses and vehicles that carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Badrinath via Haridwar and Rishikesh in pilgrim season of summer months pass through Rudraprayag on the way to Joshimath and further north. Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Rudraprayag and regular buses operate from Rishikesh bus station to Rudraprayag. The road distance from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag is 141 km (88 mi) via Devprayag and Srinagar.

End of footbridge over the Mandakini river that was washed away on June 17, 2013.

Places nearby

Rudranath Temple Rudraprayag is named after Lord Shiva and temple of lord Rudranath is situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini. According to mythology Narada Muni worshiped god Shiva here to learn music from him. The god then taught him music in his form of Rudra (Lord of Music). There used to be a rock called Narad Shila where Narada is said to have sat in meditation.

Chamunda Devi Temple Chamunda Devi temple is also situated at confluence of the holy rivers ( Alaknanda & Mandakini). Chamunda as wife of Lord Rudra is worshiped here.

Koteshwar Koti means crore (10 Million) and Ishwar means god. This is again a temple of Lord Shiva made in natural caves.

Shree Tungeshwar Mahadev Ji, Phalasi (फलासी) Near Chopta This temple has been here for centuries. Folklore has it that the Pandavas came here for penance. On the way from Chopta there were many small temples up to the Tunganath Temple, the remains of some are still there. On the temple wall there are many terracota style seals and Shiva-Parvati figurines. A very ancient temple held in very high esteem by many villages, right in the midst of amazing n spell-bounding natural beauty.

Kartik Swami The Kartik Swami temple is dedicated to lord Kartikeya - son of Lord Shiva. It can be reached by a 3 km trek from Kanak Chauri village, which is located on the Rudraprayag-Pokhri route, 38 km from Rudraprayag. You can have a magnificent views of the snow-clad Himalayan range from the Kartik Swami temple.[2]

Basukedar Basukedar (reputedly where Shiva lived before coming to Kedarnath).It's a Shiva temple constructed by Pandava. Architecture and idols seems to be at least 1000 yrs old. A good place for meditation and dhyan yoga. This is around 35 km from Agustmuni. around 1.30 hr by drive. This is actually an old track to visit Kedarnath. It is said that Lord Shiva stayed a night in Basukedar while he was travelling to Mount Kailash ( Kedarnath) this is the reason this place is called Basukedar

Photo gallery (Images before June, 2013)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rudraprayag
  2. ↑ Kartik Swami

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rudraprayag.
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