A municipality and a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, Rudraprayag is a famed town named after the Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva. One of the five confluences of the Alaknanda River, this town is encircled by stunning rivers, glistening water streams and heavenly glaciers. The places to visit in Rudraprayag will not only provide you with the opportunity to explore ancient places but will also open you to new experiences. Always a famous stopover point for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath, the town itself is known for many revered temples and pristine lakes. Home to many ancient temples like Koteshwar, Rudranath and Kedarnath, this town offers the most scenic views of the Garhwal Himalayas. So, to help you find the best places to explore in this town, here is our expert-curated list of best places to visit in Rudraprayag.
10 Places to Visit in Rudraprayag
From the picturesque meadows of Chopta to the ancient temple of Kedarnath, we have covered all the best places to visit in Rudraprayag. Read to know more!
1. Chopta
The first one on our list of places to visit in Rudraprayag is Chopta. Popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand’, this hill station is located in the lap of the Himalayas at an altitude of 2600 meters. Set amid the picturesque meadows and flourishing green forests, Chopta is a little slice of heaven in the Garwahal Himalayas region. This small hamlet is quite famous among trekkers as it is part of the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek, which is one of the adventurous treks in Uttarakhand. Also, the epicentre of the five most sacred temples of Shiva Chopta boasts enchanting views of the mountains and offers a diverse variety of flora and fauna.
Distance from city centre: 23.9 Km
Best time to visit: March to May and October to December
Things to do: Skiing, trekking, sightseeing
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2. Kedarnath
One of the most important shrines of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is another one of the best places to visit in Rudraprayag. Settled amid the stunning snow-capped peaks, magnificent meadows, and the shredded forests of the lower Himalayas, the place has a charming aura that replicates the resonance of Lord Shiva. The temple of Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotir Lingams and the most important of the 5 Shiva temples in the Garhwal region. Nestled high up in the Himalayas, it is also part of the famous Char Dham Yatra, thus it holds significant importance in the Hindu religion.
Distance from city centre: 50.7 Km
Best time to visit: May to June and September to October
Things to do: Visiting the Kedarnath temple, trekking
3. Kalimath
Image Credit: Aloak1 for Wikimedia Commons
Kalimath is a small village in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand that is surrounded by Kedarnath mountains and sits at an elevation of 1800 metres and is located on the Saraswati River. Also home to the Kalimath Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali and is also one of the 108 Shakti Peethas. Amongst the best places to visit in the Rudraprayag district, this village is a sacred spiritual centre that holds a prominent spot in the Hindu religion. Besides Goddess Kali, Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati are also worshipped here and the Indian festival of Navratri is a significant event here.
Distance from city centre: 49 Km
Best time to visit: February to March
Things to do: Hiking, visiting the Kalimath temple
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4. Ukhimath
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Ukhimath is another one on our list of best places to visit in Rudraprayag. Home to Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar during the winter season, this village is located at a distance of 41 Km from Rudraprayag. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, this small hamlet in Uttarakhand is an ideal place for anyone seeking peace and spirituality. Home to numerous famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Aniruddh, Mahadanta and Goddess Parvati, Ukhimath is a famous pilgrimage centre in the state. Surrounded by the views of Himalayan ranges such as Kedarnath, Chaukambha and Neelkanth, this village has an old charm to it that attracts a lot of offbeat tourists.
Distance from city centre: 43.9 Km
Best time to visit: March to June
Things to do: Visit temples, hiking, and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.
5. Augustmuni
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A small town in the district, Augustmuni is also one of the best places to visit in Rudraprayag. Famous for Agasteshwar Mahadev Temple, which is dedicated to Rishi Agastya, this town is situated at a height of 1,000 metres, on the banks of Mandakini River, and is known to be the place where Rishi Agastya meditated for several years. The temple here is of archaeological significance, as the figures of Gods and Goddesses are carved out on the stone. Baisakhi is the major event here, which is celebrated by hosting a large fair where many devotees come and pay homage to God.
Distance from city centre: 22.5 Km
Best time to visit: October to May
Things to do: Hiking, visit Agasteshwar Mahadev Temple
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6. Koteshwar Temple
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Koteshwar Temple is another on our list of places to visit in Rudraprayag. This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is a sacred place among the devotees of Lord Shiva. The temple is located inside a cave with the Alaknanda River flowing just a few metres away. It is also believed that Lord Shiva meditated here while on his way to Kedarnath, hence the place experiences a large number of pilgrims throughout the year. With its rich mythological background and surrounding scenic beauty, the place is quite famous in Uttarakhand.
Distance from city centre: 3.6 Km
Best time to visit: October to May
Things to do: Visit the temple, hiking
7. Khirsu
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A quaint little hill station dotted with flourishing pine and deodar forests, Khirsu is one of the best offbeat places to visit in the Rudraprayag district. This stunning hill station is perched at an elevation of 1,900 meters and is known to provide panoramic views of the mighty mountains of Panchachuli, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, and Trishul. Endowed with apple orchards and a wide variety of wildflowers, this place will provide you with a tranquil experience away from all the hustle-bustle of the cities. Surrounded by picturesque terrace farms, this village is also an agricultural hub and remains to be an undiscovered place by many tourists.
Distance from city centre: 48.6 Km
Best time to visit: October to April
Things to do: Nature walk, hiking
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8. Rudranath Temple
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Uttarakhand is abode to many ancient temples, and Rudranath Temple is another one of the most important places on our list of places to visit in Rudraprayag. One among the ‘Panch Kedars’ this temple is located to Lord Shiva and holds a prominent place in the heart of the devotees. Perched at an elevation of 3600 m, bordered by the loft mountains, this ancient shrine was built in the 8th Century AD. Blessed with many water bodies like Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, Manas Kund, Vaitarani, Baitarani, and Rudraganga rivers, this temple is located amid the alpine meadows
Distance from city centre: 1.9 Km
Best time to visit: September to October.
Things to do: Visit Rudranath Temple, enjoy views of surrounding mountains
9. Deoria Tal
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Quite famous among trekkers, another one of the best places to visit in Rudraprayag is Deoria Tal. Perched at an altitude of 2438 metres above sea level, the route to this pristine lake is a 3 km uphill trek from Sari Village. Known for its picturesque reflection of the Chaukhamba Range in the transparent water, this serene lake is surrounded by stunning peaks of Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Bandarpunch, Kedar Range, and Kalanag. Located amid the lush green surroundings, this lake is a part of the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, one can also spot a few animals here, early in the morning.
Distance from city centre: 55.9 Km
Best time to visit: March to May and October to November.
Things to do: Trekking, camping
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10. Tungnath
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Lying at a height of around 11,385 ft ft. above sea level, Tunngnath is among the highest Shiva temples around the globe. The place is not only renowned for being a holy Hindu site, but also for offering the best trekking experience to adventurous souls. Besides this, the temple lies around 2 km below the Chandrashila Peak which offers a majestic view of the Himalayan range consisting of snow peaks like Panch Chuli, Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Banderpoonch, and Chaukhamba on one side and Garhwal valley on the opposite side.
Distance from city centre: 70.6 Km
Best time to visit: April to August and December to March
Things to do: Trekking, camping
These places to visit in Rudraprayag, are a mix of ancient temples and mesmerizing locations and will allow you to explore and know more about the district. With something to offer to all kinds of tourists, Rudraprayag is definitely a must-visit destination on your next trip to Uttarakhand.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Rudraprayag
What is special in Rudraprayag?
Rudraprayag is a famous stopover point for the Kedarnath yatra, apart from this the town is known for its scenic beauty and for being home to many great sightseeing spots and temples. It is quite famous among tourists such as Panch Prayag, Shiva Temple, City, Business Hub, Local Market, and Char Dham Road.
What are some of the most beautiful places to visit in Uttarakhand?
Ranikhet, Binsar, Almora, Jim Corbett National Park, Auli, Pithoragarh, and Chakrata are some of the most beautiful places that one can visit in Uttarakhand.
Is it safe to visit Rudraprayag, given the covid situation?
Yes, it is safe to visit Rudraprayag, given that you follow all guidelines and take all the necessary precautions. Make sure to get yourself vaccinated before planning a trip, also wear masks at all times, maintain social distance in public places and sanitize your hands regularly.
Which is better, Uttarakhand or Himachal?
Both the places have their own charm and beauty, it totally depends on the kind of trip that you are planning for. While Uttarakhand is more driven toward wildlife and religious tourism, Himachal has many options for adventure and provides you with a unique experience. However, it is recommended to visit both the places once in your lifetime to explore the best of North India.
How far is Auli from Dehradun?
Auli is located at a distance of 305 km from Dehradun. You can reach Auli by flight, train, cab or bus depending on your convenience. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun, and from there you can take a taxi or bus to reach Auli.
How many days are enough to visit Auli?
Ideally, 2 to 3 days are enough to visit Auli, in which you can easily cover all the major sightseeing points and enjoy activities like skiing and ropeway rides. However, the number of days will entirely depend on the places you want to visit.
Which is the most visited place in Uttarakhand?
Nainital, Mussoorie, Chakrata, Munsiyari, Rishikesh, Harsil, Kausani, Kausani, Almora and many more are some of the most visited places in the state.
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