Arul Manna Nayakar Temple

Overview

Sri arul manna nayakar temple is dedicated to lord shiva. Gowrikund is a popular himalayan shrine at about 4000 meters above sea level where it is believed that gowri (parvati) meditated upon shiva. Surya and chandra are also thought to have worshipped shiva here. This shrine is located on the route between rishikesh and kedarnath.

About the temple

The route between kedarnath and gowrikund is an attractive one. Gowrikund has several hot springs. Gowri is believed to have taken a bath here after giving birth to kartikeya. Legend has it that, at triyuginarayan, south of here shiva and parvati were married. The fire kindled during their wedding is said to be burning at agnikund. Also nearby, is the temple to mundkatta ganesh - without a head. Shiva is believed to have cut off the head of parvati's son ganesh and then revived him to life here.

About the deity

The presiding deity is shiva. He is called as arul manna nayakar. His consort is known as manonmani, gowri .

Legends and stories

Four shrines to shiva in the himalayas have been glorified by the tevaram hymns of the tamil nayanmar saints of the 1st century ce. They are indraneela parvatam, gowrikund,kedarnath and mount kailash. Although none of the nayanmars has visited this gowrikund, sambandar has sung about gowrikundam from kalahasti. Gowrikund or anekatankaavadam is the first of the tevara stalams hailed by the tamil hymns of the nayanmars, located outside of tamilnadu/kerala/karnataka i.e. In vada naadu (the northern lands).

Significance

The principal deity in arul manna nayakar temple, god shiva, offers his devotees to attain wealth , prosperity and health. The aficionados visit this temple to attain salvation ( moksham) and get relief from incurable disease.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest airport to gaurikund is jolly grant airport, at the distance of 224 kms. The airport is domestic and has convenient connectivity to delhi and chandigarh with regular flights. Gaurikund is well connected with jolly grant airport by motorable roads. Buses, taxis are easily accessible from jolly grant airport to gaurikund.

Railways

The nearest railway station from gaurikund is rishikesh station located at the distance of 202 kms from gaurikund. Rishikesh station has well connectivity by indian railway networks with prime destinations of india. Frequent taxis and cars are accessible from the rishikesh railway station towards gaurikund as it possesses convenient connectivity by motorable roads.

Railways

The nearest railway station from gaurikund is rishikesh station located at the distance of 202 kms from gaurikund. Rishikesh station has well connectivity by indian railway networks with prime destinations of india. Frequent taxis and cars are accessible from the rishikesh railway station towards gaurikund as it possesses convenient connectivity by motorable roads.

Road

Gaurikund is the place where long trek to kedarnath has begun and the road connectivity ends. It has handy road route connectivity with major cities of india and uttarakhand by motorable roads. Buses and taxis are easily accessible from new delhi kashmiri gate isbt to srinagar and rishikesh from where one can hire a local or shared taxi to gaurikund. Taxis and local buses towards gaurikund are easily accessible from all the prime locations of uttarakhand including haridwar, dehradun, tehri, srinagar, uttarkashi, pauri, chamoli etc. Nh- 109 is connected with guptkashi that also connects kedarnath and rudraprayag.

Temple address

Arul manna nayakar temple,
Anekatangavadam,
Gowrikund, rudraprayag,
Uttarakhand