Kalimath Temple Rudraprayag

Kalimath is one of the most sacred and revered religious sites in Uttarakhand. Located on the banks of the Saraswati River, the temple is dedicated to Kali, a fierce form of Goddess Parvati. Situated in the peaceful area near Ukhimath and Guptkashi, Kalimath is one of the 108 Shakti Peeths in India, attracting several devotees throughout the year. During the Navratri celebration, especially the Shardiya Navratri, the atmosphere around the Kalimath temple becomes more vibrant and divine. Lying in the lap of nature, the view of the surrounding landscape is amazing, particularly during autumn and winter.
 

Situated amidst the mountains, this temple looks very scenic. Around the main shrine, devotees will also find temples of Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati, Gauri Shankar, along with many Shiva Lingas. A little further from the temple, the shrine of Bhairav ​​Baba is situated, where devotees usually go after having the blessing of Maa Kali.

A Temple Without Idol

The Kalimath Mandir, located in Uttarakhand's Rudrapryag district, is around 183 km from Rishikesh. From Rudraprayag, Kalimath is just 48 km away and can be reached by shared taxis. The temple is widely known for Tantra Sadhna, making it a perfect place for spiritual practices. As soon as you enter the temple premises, you can feel the vibration and energy radiated from the temple.
 

Kalimath temple is unique, as there is no idol of Maa Kali in the sanctum. Instead, a yantra is placed inside a sacred Kund. The shrine is surrounded by 16 pillars, followed by 8 pillars, and finally by 4 pillars, where the main sanctum lies.
 

Devotees with a firm belief in Goddess Kali often visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings. Kalimath also shares a deep connection with the Dhari Devi, the protector of Char Dham. Many devotees visit both temples to complete their pilgrimage.

History of Kalimath

According to legends, after killing the demon named Raktabeej, Maa Kali disappeared into a pond located below the rock, where the demon was killed. Today, that place is covered with a silver plate, which is known as the Shri Yantra. Under this Yantra, there is a sacred rock of Goddess Kali, which is worshipped once a year, on the eighth day of Shardiya Navratri. During this, only the chief priest of the temple remains present near the rock.
 

In addition to this, the village is said to be the birthplace of the great poet Kalidas, and he is also worshipped here.

Connection with Dhar Devi

It is believed that many years ago, a flash flood caused havoc in the region, resulting in the idol of the Goddess Kali being washed away. It is said that the upper part of the idol, the bust, was found near the Alaknanda River, where the current Dhari Devi Temple now stands. With this belief, the devotees worship the lower part of the goddess at Kalimath, while the upper part is worshipped at Dhari Devi. Together, both these temples hold immense spiritual significance that feels otherworldly.

Accommodation

A few accommodation facilities are available for devotees visiting Kalimath from afar. The options available here are mostly homestays, providing basic facilities. From the available options, none offer online booking facilities, so visitors must contact the host personally to confirm availability. Apart from local homestays, visitors can also book their stays on the Kedarnath Road, around 7 km away from the temple. Below we have shared a list of a few stays, which you may consider:

• Rana Homestay (Closest to the temple)
• Deepak tourist homestay (Near Temple)
• Vipin Hotel and Homestay (Near Temple)
• The Maruti Empire (Kedarnath Road)
• Hotel Vijaya Palace (Kedarnath Road)
• Cabio Hotels (Kedarnath Road)
• Hotel New Vishwanath (Kedarnath Road)
• Hilans Hotel (Kedarnath Road)
• Himalayan Paradise Hotel (Kedarnath Road)

Food Guide

Several restaurants and dhabas are available in the nearby area where visitors can enjoy a variety of food items. However, due to many challenges, the food options near the temple are somewhat limited.

Important Tips for Visitors

• Pilgrims travelling by bus should arrive at the bus stand early, as buses depart in the morning.
• UTC offer limited buses; for more options, visitors can choose private buses or shared taxis.
• Carry adequate cash during the journey, as digital payment options may not always be available.
• If planning an overnight stay, confirm your booking upon arrival to avoid a last-minute rush.
• The weather here remains cold even during summer; it is suggested to carry enough woollen clothes.
• Visitors must keep their shoes at the designated place.
• Visitors arriving by their vehicle had to park their vehicle on the road, which is quite narrow and causes congestion during Navratri.
• Various prasad shops are available outside the temple.
• During Navratri, the temple receives a huge footfall; it is advisable to plan accordingly.
• During festivals and on major events like the New Year, a large number of people visit the temple.

Major Nearby Attractions

Kalimath Temple is surrounded by several places that visitors can include in their itinerary if time permits: -

• Bisudi Tal
• Baniyakund
• Omkareshwar Mandir.
• Kalishila
• Triyuginarayan Mandir
• Tungnath
• Deoria Tal