Triyuginarayan Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the ‘Triyuginarayan Temple’ is located in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. This ancient temple from Satya Yuga is located around 252 km from Dehradun. Known as the Universe Narayan, this temple is famous for witnessing the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Thus, this place is now renowned among the couples seeking a Holy destination wedding in the serenity of Himalayas.

Legend has it that, temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya during the 8th Century, whose structure is similar to Kedarnath temple. Temple sanctum houses a two-foot tall silver idol of Lord Vishnu, known for its captivating beauty. Also, in the temple courtyard, there is a square shaped Hawan Kund (a place of fire), where devotees have been offering wood since three eras, thus the temple known as “Tri Yug” (three Eras). Due to its eternal flame, this temple is also known as ‘Akhand Dhuni Temple,’ with ‘Akhand’ meaning ‘Perpetual’ and ‘Dhuni’ referring to its ‘flame.’

As per the mythologist, Parvati, the daughter of Himavat or Himavan, tried to attract Lord Shiva with her beauty. After several failed attempts, she undertook a rigorous penance in Gaurikund, located 5 km from the actual shrine place. Later, Shiva proposes to Parvati near Guptkashi before their marriage, as said in Shiva Puran. Devotees who visit Triyuginarayan also offer their prayers at the Goddess Parvati temple in Gaurikund to fulfill their wishes.

Triyuginarayan temple houses a stone, called Brahma Shila, which is regarded as the actual place of the divine marriage, is placed in the courtyard. The shrine complex includes four holy Kund's that are highly regarded; Rudra Kund, Vishnu Kund, Brahma Kund and Saraswati Kund. Among them, Saraswati Kund is notable, as it is said that a stream of water flows from this Kund to other three Kund's. It is believed that this Saraswati Kund water flows from Lord Vishnu navel and that bathing in this particular Kund is beneficial especially for women's facing infertility issues.