About Kartik Swami Temple
Kartik Swami (Kartik Swamy) is a relatively unknown yet spectacular temple dedicated to Lord Kartikeya (also known as Murugan or Skanda) — the son of Lord Shiva and the god of war. Situated at 3,048m in the Rudraprayag district, the temple sits on a rocky peak above the village of Kanakchauri.
According to legend, Lord Kartikeya, upset with his brother Ganesha being worshipped first, renounced worldly life and took residence on this hilltop. He left behind his peacock and sacred thread at this spot before going to South India.
The Trek to Kartik Swami
- Starting Point: Kanakchauri village (2,700m) — 35 km from Rudraprayag via Pokhri
- Temple: 3,048m
- Distance: 3 km one way
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours up, 1–1.5 hours down
- Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
The Panoramic View
The summit of Kartik Swami offers one of the finest Himalayan panoramas in Garhwal — visible peaks include Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nar-Narayan, Kedarnath Dome, and on exceptionally clear days, Nanda Devi (7,816m) and Kamet (7,756m). The sunset views from here are extraordinary.
Best Time to Visit
- April–June: Pleasant weather, blooming rhododendrons on the trail
- September–November: Clearest sky, best Himalayan views
- December–February: Possible with snow on trail — enchanting but cold
- Avoid July–August: Slippery trails, poor visibility
How to Reach Kartik Swami
- From Rudraprayag: 35 km via Augustmuni–Pokhri–Kanakchauri (1.5 hours)
- From Rishikesh: 170 km via Devprayag–Srinagar–Rudraprayag
- Local Transport: Shared jeeps from Rudraprayag to Pokhri (25 km) then 10 km by taxi to Kanakchauri
Nearby Attractions
- Rudraprayag confluence: Where Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers meet — 35 km
- Tungnath–Chandrashila: 60 km from Kartik Swami via Ukhimath
- Deoria Tal: Beautiful reflection lake, 45 km via Sari village