Sem Mukhem Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the Sem Mukhem Nagraja Temple is located in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Surrounded by lush green forest, it is a revered shrine in the region and is often regarded as the fifth dham of Uttarakhand. It is believed that, on November 26, Lord Krishna appears before Gangu Ramola in the form of Kaliya Naag. Observing this legend, the temple committee organises a grand fair every three years, attracting a large number of devotees from far and wide. The temple receives a heavy snowfall during winter, transforming the region into a while snow blanket. Sem Mukhem Nagraja temple is prominent for its various customs, and offering a Nag-Nagin pair at the temple is one of them. It is believed that offering a pair of Nag-Nagin frees one from all the effects of Kaal Sarp Dosh.

Fifth Dham of Uttarakhand

Situated around 80 km from Tehri Garhwal, the Sem Mukhem Nagraja Temple is accessible by bus, shared taxi, private vehicle or cabs. Being a revered shrine associated with rich folklore, it draws several pilgrims throughout the year. According to the legends, after the epic Mahabharata War, Lord Krishna stayed here in search of peace. Due to this, the temple is known as the fifth dham of Uttarakhand. However, the temple has not yet been officially recognised as the fifth dham by the state government. Devotees who visited the shrine are mostly from Pauri District, as Sem Mukhem is regarded as their Ishta Dev.

Temple Trek

To access the temple, visitors must climb a steep 3 km trek from Khamba Khal. The trail passes through dense, lush green forest, offering a serene view of the surroundings. At certain points during the trail, the breathtaking view of the snow-covered mountain range is clearly visible. Since the trail does not offer any water source, carrying a water bottle will be a great decision. Depending on the fitness level, the trek usually takes around 1 to 2 hours to reach the temple. Mule services are also available for those who are unable to climb, costing around Rs 800 one way and Rs 1,400 for a round trip.
 

As soon as you start the Sem Mukhem Nagraja trek, there is a rock where devotees tie threads and offer their prayers. It is believed that this is the place where King Gangu Ramola once served food to Lord Krishna, and the ladle used for serving is still there. Today, the place is now worshipped in the form of Bhairav.

Dugdugi Sem

A few kilometres above the main shrine, there is a place called Dugdugi Sem. Local belief that this is the same place where Lord Krishna killed a demon. Along with this, a stone popularly known as "Shilla", placed on the hill, also holds great importance. It is said that if you try to push this rock with full force, the stone will not move. However, if you slightly touch it with your finger, then it appears to shift. This inexplicable miracle is beyond our imagination, which draws many pilgrims to the site.

Lord Krishna Footprint

Along with this, there is another site in the region, which is believed to bear the footprint of Lord Krishna. However, at first it is hard to find such foot footprint; the mark becomes visible when observed carefully and with devotion.

Prasad Shops

Some prasad shops are available at the base of the temple, called Khamba Khal. Pilgrims must buy their prasad here, as such shops are not available near the temple or along the trail. The prasad usually includes several items traditionally offered in the temple. However, among them, a pair of Naga Nagin (silver-coated) is also offered. It is believed that anyone suffering from Kaal Sarp Dosh can be freed from its effects by offering this Nag-Nagin pair in the temple.

History and Mythology

As per the legend, after the epic war of the Mahabharata, tense Lord Krishna is looking for a place to reside peacefully. After meandering for a while, he finds this place, which is quite serene and close to nature. Its beauty attracts Lord Krishna, and he decides to stay here. For this, he went to King Gangu Ramolo, who ruled the region at that time. Once, Gangu Ramola was known as a great follower of Lord Krishna, but due to the power and reign, he had become egoistic. Seeking this, Lord Krishna disguises himself as a Brahmin and requests a piece of land to stay on. However, the arrogant king refused his request, saying he would not grant land to any Brahmin.
 

To teach him a lesson, Lord Krishna turned all his cows, buffaloes and other livestock into stone. After seeing this, Gangu Ramola realised his mistake and went on a search for the Brahmin. After a while, when he was unable to find the Brahmin, he sat down, and suddenly Lord Krishna appeared in the form of Sem Mukhem Nagraja and granted darshan to the Gangu Ramola.
 

Humbled, Gangu Ramola apologised for his nemesis and offered land for Lord Krishna to stay. Since then, Lord Krishna, worshipped here in the form of a Nagraja, symbolised by a large stone kept in the sanctum.
 

Gangu Ramola wished that he had always wanted to serve the Lord forever, which is why his statue is also placed beside the temple and at the entrance of a trekking point.

Accommodation

Sem Mukhem Nagraja is located in a quaint area of Tehri Garhwal, where accommodation options are limited. Pilgrims planning to stay overnight and looking for a hotel in Sem Mukhem must check the suggestion given below. Since the options are limited, one must reserve a room upon arrival, as the online booking facilities are currently not available. Sem Mukhem hotel room cost ranges between Rs 1000 to Rs 2000/-

• Uttarakhand Tourism Guest House.
• Sem Sukhnivas
• Panwar Home Stay
• Siddharth Home Stay
• Hotel Jagadish Palace
• Greens Valley Homestay
• Shree Home Stay
• Prince Home Stay

Facilities available

Near the base of the temple, pilgrims will find a limited yet useful facilities, such as: -

• Mule services
• Homestay.
• Prasad Shops.
• Tea stalls.
• Parking.
• Taxi stand.

Important Tips for Travellers

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you will need to trek around 3 km uphill to reach the temple.
• The temple receives snowfall during winter, so plan your visit accordingly.
• Avoid visiting during the monsoon, as it may impose various travel-related issues.
• Water sources and shops are not available along the trail, so carry enough water.
• Accommodation must be booked upon arrival, if planning an overnight stay.
• ATMs are not available in the region, so keep sufficient cash.
• If visiting by personal vehicle, ensure the fuel tank is filled.
• Mule services are also available for those unable the ascend the trail.
• Photography and videography are not allowed inside the sanctum.

Nearby Attraction

Near Sem Mukhem Nagraja Mandir, you can also explore other popular places:-

• Tehri Dam
• Dobra Chanti Bridge
• Budha Kedarnath Temple