Overview
One of the five temples of Panch Kedar pilgrimage is Rudranath Temple. This temple is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and as per local belief, here Lord Shiva’s face is worshipped and He is considered to be Neelkanth Mahadev.
One of the common trek routes starts from Sagar village that is accessible by road from Gopeshwar. Trekking route from Sagar village first goes through oak and rhododendron forest and then passes through high altitude pastures like Panar Bugyal and then treks further ahead to reach near Pitradhar ridge and temple valley. There are some other routes too like Mandal and Gangolgaon
Rudranath is frequently considered to be among the most difficult routes in Panch Kedar because of the distance involved and the continuous process of climbing and descending, not to mention that the route is distant and sparsely equipped.
The temple itself along with the other water bodies around it, such as the Surya, Chandra, Tara and Mana kunds, constitute an essential part of the pilgrimage landscape. It is advisable to check the schedule for visiting the temple.
Photos And Videos
Highlights
- Panch Kedar
- Neelkanth Mahadev
- Panar Bugyal
- oak and rhododendron
- higher ridges
- sacred kunds around the temple
- Garhwal Himalayas
Trek Details
Seasons
Departure Cities
Terrain
Itinerary
- 1
Rishikesh to Sagar Village
Drive: approximately 8–10 hours Travel via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Gopeshwar to Sagar, the main trailhead. Arrange your guide, check local trail conditions and rest before starting the climb. Overnight: Sagar · approx. 1,700–1,900 m
- 2
Sagar to Panar Bugyal
Trek: approximately 10–12 km · 6–8 hours Climb through oak and rhododendron forests, passing Pung Bugyal and Lyuti Bugyal before reaching the broad alpine meadows of Panar. The ascent is sustained, so take regular breaks. Overnight: Panar Bugyal · approx. 3,000–3,400 m
- 3
Panar Bugyal to Rudranath Temple
Trek: approximately 8–10 km · 4–7 hours Start early and cross the high ridge around Pitradhar before descending towards the temple. Visit the shrine and nearby sacred kunds if accessible. Allow extra time for changing weather and the rugged trail. Overnight: Rudranath area · approx. 3,500–3,600 m
- 4
Rudranath to Panar Bugyal
Trek: approximately 8–10 km · 4–6 hours After morning darshan, retrace the route over the ridge towards Panar Bugyal. Enjoy the meadow scenery while allowing sufficient time for the exposed and uneven sections. Overnight: Panar Bugyal
- 5
Panar Bugyal to Sagar Village
Trek: approximately 10–14 km · 5–7 hours Descend through Lyuti Bugyal and the forest trail to Sagar. From there, continue to Gopeshwar or stay overnight before returning to Rishikesh. Avoid planning a tight same-day onward journey after a long descent.
Things to Carry
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