Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag:

This small pilgrim town on the holy confluence of river Alaknanda and mandakini is venerated as one of the five sacred confluences or the Panch prayag. It is named after Rudra, an aspect of lord Shiva. According to a legend lord Shiva appeared here as Radar to bless Nard Muni. An ancient shrine is dedicated to lord Shiva in the form of Rudra. Rudraprayag is of immense significance for the pilgrims of char dham yatra, as it is the junction for visiting badrinath and  kedarnath dham.

Around rudraprayag:

Agatsyamuni (19kms):

It is believed that sage agatsyamuni meditated here. There is a temple dedicated to him.

Guptkashi (39kms.) :

This important pilgrim site has the ancient temple of vishanath and ardhnareshwar. The manikarnik kund here is said to be the confluence of two streams of Ganga and Yamuna. It is believed that the place is named gup or hidden as lord Shiva hid here for some time to evade the pandavas.

Panch kedar:

The panch or five cedar lie in the valley between the rivers Bhagirathi and Aleksandra. According to a mythological legend, after the battle of Mahabharata, the Panamas repented the killings of their cousins kauravas and came here seeking forgiveness from lord Shiva. But, Shiva eluded them and took refuge at  kedarnath in the from of a bull. When panamas sighted him, he submerged into the around leaving behind his hump, which is worshipped at the shrine of  kedarnath. His arms are believed to have appeared at tunganath, his face at rudranath, navel at madmaheshwar, his matted hairs and head at kalpeshwar. These five most sacred Shiva temples of Garhwal are called as Panch kedars.