Rudraprayag is a town and a municipality in Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River, the point of confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini. Alaknanda then proceeds towards Devaprayag where it joins with Bhagirathi river to form the river Ganges. Kedarnath, a Hindu holy town is located 86 km from Rudraprayag.
Rudraprayag is also known for its infamous man-eating leopard (Leopard of Rudraprayag) which is reputed to have killed over 125 people, hunted by Jim Corbett.
How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun 183 km (114 mi) away.
Railway
The nearest railway station is at Rishikesh. However, Rishikesh is a small railway station not connected by fast trains. Haridwar railway junction, 24 km farther from Rishikesh, has train connections to most of the major cities in India and is, therefore, the railhead for Rudraprayag.
Road
Rudraprayag lies on national highway NH58 that connects Delhi with Badrinath and Mana Pass in Uttarakhand near Indo-Tibet border. Therefore all the buses and vehicles that carry pilgrims from New Delhi to Badrinath via Haridwar and Rishikesh in pilgrim season of summer months pass through Rudraprayag on the way to Joshimath and further north. Rishikesh is the major starting point for road journey to Rudraprayag and regular buses operate from Rishikesh bus station to Rudraprayag. The road distance from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag is 141 km (88 mi) via Devprayag and Srinagar.
- Haridwar to Rishikesh 24 km
- Rishikesh to Devprayag 74 km
- Devprayag to Srinagar 34 km
- Srinagar to Rudraprayag 33 km
Temples
Rudranath Temple : Rudraprayag is named after Lord Shiva and temple of lord Rudranath is situated at the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini. According to mythology Narad Muni worshiped god Shiva here to learn music from him. The god then taught him music in his form of Rudra (Lord of Music). There is a rock where it is said that Narad Muni did his worship. It is now known as Narad Shila.
Chamunda Devi Temple : Chamunda Devi temple is also situated at confluence of the holy rivers ( Alaknanda & Mandakini). Chamunda as wife of Lord Rudra is worshiped here.
Koteshwar : Koti means crore (10 Million) and Ishwar means god. This is again a temple of Lord Shiva made in natural caves.
Shree Tungeshwar Mahadev Ji :, Phalasi (फलासी) Near Chopta This temple has been here for centuries. Folklore has it that the Pandavas came here for penance. On the way from Chopta there were many small temples up to the Tunganath Temple, the remains of some are still there. On the temple wall there are many terracota style seals and Shiva-Parvati figurines. A very ancient temple held in very high esteem by many villages, right in the midst of amazing n spell-bounding natural beauty.
Kartik Swami : The Kartik Swami temple is dedicated to lord Kartikeya - son of Lord Shiva. It can be reached by a 3 km trek from Kanak Chauri village, which is located on the Rudraprayag-Pokhri route, 38 km from Rudraprayag. You can have a magnificent views of the snow-clad Himalayan range from the Kartik Swami temple.
Basukedar : Basukedar (reputedly where Shiva lived before coming to Kedarnath).It's a Shiva temple constructed by Pandava. Architecture and idols seems to be at least 1000 yrs old. A good place for meditation and dhyan yoga. This is around 35km from Agustmuni. around 1.30 hr by drive. This is actually an old track to visit Kedarnath. It is said that Lord Shiva stayed a night in Basukedar while he was travelling to Mount Kailash ( Kedarnath) this is the reason this place is called Basukedar