Rudraprayag is an old holy town in the Garhwal region, 34 km from Srinagar, near the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, named after Lord Shiva’s Rudra avatar (incarnation). The fourth point at which the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers converge there. The Alaknanda River joins Bhagirathi at Devprayag to form the Ganga, which flows down to the plains, marking the location of the fifth and final union. Although the town is well-known for its sacred temples and unspoiled natural beauty, it is also a major religious tourism destination due to the existence of two distinct routes from Rudraprayag to Badrinath (about 150 km away) and Kedarnath Dham (about 50 km away). Devotees and tourists travel there year-round to see the Shiva and Jagdamba temples here. Situated near the lakes and glaciers, the town is the district’s headquarters, which has the same name. The area is endowed with scenic splendor. According to Hindu legend, sage Narad underwent a rigorous penance to please Lord Shiva, who then blessed Narad by appearing in his Rudra incarnation to master the mysteries of music. The Pandava Dance is a well-liked dance style among the people living in this district. It is modeled after the dance and music of the Kaurava and Pandavas as told in the epic Mahabharata. It is thought that the Pandavas came to this area to worship Lord Shiva and atone for the deaths of relatives during the Kurukshetra War. The people here still commemorate Pandav Leela in remembrance of that visit.
Best time to visit:
Summers are pleasant and are recommended as the best time to explore the town’s spiritual aura. March- November tends to be the best time to visit.
