Rudraprayag

Overview

Named after Rudra (Lord Shiva), Rudraprayag is a small pilgrim town located on the holy convergence of river Alaknanda and Mandakini, as one of the five sacred convergences or the 'Panch Prayag’, at a distance of about 40 kms from Kalimath. The confluence of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers is unique as if two sisters are embracing each other. It is believed that Naarad Muni worshipped Lord Shiva, to master the mysteries of music, who in turn appeared in his Rudra Avtaar (incarnation) to bless Naarad.

Shiva and Jagdamba temples are of great religious significance. Till recent years, Rudraprayag was a part of Chamoli and Tehri districts. In 1997, the Kedarnath Valley and parts of Tehri and Pauri districts were joined to form Rudraprayag, a new district. It is the link for visiting Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham.

There are several temples in Rudraprayag and one of the most prominent is the Koteshwar Mahadev Temple on the shore of the River Alaknanda. This beautiful cave temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is believed to have stopped and meditated here, and is covered with lush foliage.

Legend and Stories

According to a widely narrated story, it was here that Shiva performed the Thandava which is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Shiva also played the Rudra veena his favourite musical instrument here. He enticed god Vishnu to his presence by playing the Veena and converted him to water.

Another legend states that sage Narada had become vain of his Veena playing skills and the gods requested Krishna to it set right. Narada was told by Krishna that Shiva and his consort Parvati were impressed by his musical talent and was taken in by the praise. He immediately set out to the Himalayas meet Shiva. On the way, at Rudra Prayag, he met several beautiful maidens called raginis (musical notes). They were disfigured and the reason for that was squarely accredited to Narada playing his Veena. Hearing this, Narada felt humbled and surrendered before Shiva. He decided to devote himself to learning music as disciple of Shiva.

According to another myth, Sati, the consort of Shiva, after she self-immolated herself in protest of the insult of Shiva, was reborn as Parvati who was the daughter of Himalaya. Parvati, In spite of Himalaya's protests, performed rigorous penance to get the boon of becoming Shiva’s wife in the ongoing birth too.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 239 km

Railways

Nearest railway station is Rishikesh.

Road

All five Prayag are well connected by road with Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon hills.