Kalpeshwar
The hair of the bull (Lord Shiva) appeared in this region around which the Kalpeshwar temple was built. Lord Shiva has also been given the name ‘Jateshwar’ due to his long and knotted hair locks. Urgam valley is an exotic location due to the apple orchards and potato plantations present here. One can reach the Urgam Valley from Helang which is situated on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road. On the way lie the very beautiful Kalpganga and Alaknanda rivers which are an absolute delight for the eyes.
Tungnath
temple lies at the height of 3680m and is regarded as the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world. This was the place where the hands of the bull emerged. One is likely to come across beautiful peaks such as Nanda Devi, Chow Khamba, Neelkanth and Kedarnath on the way here. There are meadows filled with the exotic rhododendron flower and if one trek further 2 km to Chandrashila peak, they will be likely to come across some beautiful mountains.
Rudranath
Rudranath temple is the toughest one to reach in comparison with other temples of Panch Kedar. The Himalayan peaks adding to the glory of Rudranath are Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.This temple has been formed by natural rock formation and is situated at the height of 2286m. This is where the bull’s face appeared. Rudranath Temple lies amidst the alpine meadows and thick forests covered with rhododendrons where Lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Neelkanth Mahadev’. Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Mana Kund are some of the holy pools surrounding the temple. Some fabulous peaks present here include Nanda Devi, Nada Ghunti, and Trishul. The trek to this temple is considered to be the hardest trek as compared to all the other temples.
Madhyamaheshwar
Madhyamaheshwar is the place where the navel of the bull appeared. It lies at the height of 3289m in the Mansoona village of Garhwal Himalayas. The village is situated in a beautiful green valley and is surrounded by peaks such as Kedarnath, Neelkantha and Chaukhamba covered in snow. The path becomes a bit rough right from Bantoli where Madhyamaheshwar Ganga merges with Martyendra Ganga. One is likely to spot the rich and unique wildlife of the place on the way including some very endangered species.
Kedarnath
temple lies in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and is the most important of the Panch Kedar temples. Its beauty is beyond words. Since the hump of the bull appeared at this place, the temple comprises a Shiva lingam in the shape of a cone representing the bull’s hump. The temple which exists today is made up of grey stone slabs and was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th or 9th century AD.
