UK Hill Web Story
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, high in the Garhwal Himalaya at 3,583 m.
From here a 16 km stone path climbs beside the Mandakini river to the temple.
Streams tumble down the cliffs all along the route. Start early to walk in the cool of the morning.
Those who cannot walk can hire ponies or palkis, or fly from helipads near Phata, Guptkashi and Sirsi.
Tents and guesthouses fill the valley below the temple. Nights are cold even in June, so carry warm layers.
Built of massive stone slabs, the temple survived the 2013 floods when a huge boulder lodged behind it.
The temple opens around April–May and closes on Bhai Dooj. Registration is mandatory before you travel.
Text © UK Hill. Images cropped for this story.
