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Kartik Swami Temple Trek offers to visit the only Kartikeya temple in the world. Kartik Swami is one of the best places to visit in India to witness a breathtaking Himalayan mountain range, stretching from Garhwal to Kumaon. One can see several prominent peaks such as Chaukhamba, Rajrambha, Meru-Sumeru, Nanda Devi, Nandakot, Hathi, Kamet, and others lined up in a row.
Kartik Swami Trek takes you to the Kartik Swami temple is located at an altitude of approximately 3050 meters on the Cronch Mountain. According to Hindu beliefs, it was on this mountain that Lord Kartikeya sacrifi...
Kanakchauri is a high-altitude village located at an altitude of approximately 2800 meters above sea level. The snow-capped and majestic peaks of the Himalayas become visible from the route of Kanakchauri. Kanakchauri village has to face heavy snowfall during winters, so it can only be visited during the summer and spring seasons.
There is a family residing near the temple premises to serve the temple, and a newly constructed Dharamshala is also available here where accommodation and food facilities are provided. Tourists interested in witnessing the sunrise can stay here and avoid early morning trekking.
Since the temple is located atop a mountain peak, there are no shops or markets here. If you are looking for a peaceful place where you can have a clear view of the Himalayan peaks without being part of the crowd, then Kartik Swami is the best location.
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Kartik Swami is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand near Kanakchori or Kanakchonry village. Kanakchori village is the base camp of Kartik Swami temple trek.
Best time for Kartik Swami Trek: April-May and October to December are the best months to plan a trip to Kartik Swami Trek. It is an easy trek so one should not afraid of Kartik Swami Trek difficulty.
Nearest Airport: Dehradun Airport is the closest airport to Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, making it the ideal gateway for those planning a trek to Kartik Swami.
Nearest Railway Station: Dehradun and Rishikesh are both key gateways to the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, making them ideal starting points for the Kartik Swami trek.
Reaching Kanakchori: Either hire a private taxi from your starting point (home, airport or railway station) or get into a sharing cab or bus from Rudraprayag or Karnprayag.
Trekking: Kanakchauri (Kanakchonry) is the base camp when it comes to finding the way to the Kartik Swami trek (3.5 km). One has to reach Kanakchauri, which is located in the Rudraprayad district of Uttarakhand. It takes only daytime to trek and return to Kartik Swami temple from Kanakchori village.
Route 1: One can drive to Kanakchauri from Rishikesh via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Durgadhar, and Ghimtoli.
Route 2: One can also drive to Kanakchauri from Kathgodam via Ranikhet, Karnprayag, Chaukhutiya, and Pokhri.
Tip: You can also opt Kashipur railway station as your starting point. Rent a two wheeler or hire a private taxi to reach Kanakchonry, the base camp of the trek.
Kartik Swami Temple: The Kartik Swami Temple located on Cronch Mountain is an incredibly beautiful place from where the view of the Garhwal Himalayas is truly magnificent. Passing through dense forests, the trek from the village of Kanakchauri to Kartik Swami is also very scenic.
The route for the trek is quite open and broad, which makes trekking extremely easy and enjoyable. Although the Kartik Swami temple is small in size, its religious significance and the stunning location on Cronch Mountain make it a highly prestigious temple.
Rudraprayag: The confluence of the Alaknanda, flowing from Badrinath, and the Mandakini, flowing from Kedarnath, is called Rudraprayag. Since forests and rivers are personified as deities in Indian culture, human settlements have developed here due to various traditions and rituals associated with the confluence.
As a result, Rudraprayag is now established as a town. Near the main road, tourists can reach the confluence through a narrow alley where the temple of Goddess Ganga and Bhagwan Rudranath (a fierce form of Shiva) is also located.
Devprayag: Flowing further from Rudraprayag, the Alaknanda River meets the Bhagirathi River, coming from Gangotri, to form the Ganges River. The Ganges is considered the holiest river in India, so Devprayag holds immense significance in Indian spirituality.
It is believed that bathing in the Ganges not only cleanses the body but also purifies the mind of ailments. A small ghat has been constructed on the banks of the confluence where one can easily access the market. Here, you can also meditate at the ancient Raghunath Temple, which is thousands of years old.
Dhari Devi Temple: On the route from Devprayag to Rudraprayag, lies the temple of Uttarakhand's most vigilant goddess, Mata Dhari Devi. It is said that this goddess maintains the balance of the four pilgrimage sites and the rivers. In 2013, thousands of families were devastated by the floods in the Mandakini River of Uttarakhand.
The main reason for this tragedy is said to be the removal of Dhari Devi from her place. After the calamity, her idol was reinstated at the same spot, and a magnificent temple was constructed on the river. You can visit Mata Dhari Devi either as you proceed towards Rudraprayag or while returning from there.
Trekking Amidst Dense Forest: The trek from Kanakchauri to Kartik Swami, although relatively easy, involves walking on a path that is quite broad and winding. However, this route passes through dense forests, with an altitude of approximately 3000 meters above sea level. In this jungle, besides the vast pine, oak, and rhododendron trees, one can also encounter animals like red foxes, langurs, bears, and more.
Additionally, it serves as a home to many major bird species of the Himalayas. Amidst the play of sunlight and shade, while enjoying the beauty of the jungle, you gradually advance, where the magnificent surroundings warmly welcome you.
Photography with Backdrop of Himalayan Peaks: A backdrop of Himalayan mighty peaks awaits you on the top of the hill. Chaukhambha, Meru-Sumeru, Rajrambha, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Kamet, and more peaks are visible, making an astonishing backdrop so that you can click amazing pictures.
If you have a drone camera, you can get the ultimate beauty captured at a good height. It seems like no other mountain is situated between you and the entire Himalayan range. No other location can beat this place when it comes to getting the best view of the Garhwal snow-capped glacial peaks.
Exploration of River Confluences: On the route from Rishikesh to Kanakchauri, you come across two major river confluences, namely Devprayag and Rudraprayag. In Indian culture and society, both these confluences hold significant religious and social beliefs.
In the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, river confluences are considered pilgrimage sites for the gods, making them extremely sacred. The residents here believe that these mountains, forests, and rivers are blessed by the gods' divine grace. By observing these confluences up close, you can attempt to understand their significance in the local culture and civilization.
Enjoy Riding into the High Altitude Mountains: After crossing Rudraprayag, you find yourself traveling on a narrow and winding road separate from the highway, where the altitude keeps increasing continuously. Here, you need to exercise extreme caution while driving because a little carelessness can have serious consequences.
Passing through dense forests with moderate temperatures, you enter into cooler forests of deodar and pine. As the weather becomes pleasant at higher altitudes, you begin to enjoy the winding mountain road journey towards your destination.
Tips to consider while planning Kartik Swami trek trip:
● If you're traveling from East India, Kathgodam may be a better choice to start your journey.
● Whether you hire a taxi or catch public transport, leave Rishikesh early to avoid traffic and reach your destination before sunset.
● Keep enough cash with you, as no ATMs or mobile networks are available in remote Himalayan areas of Uttarakhand.
● If you want to witness the first rays of the sun over the mighty Himalayas, either start trekking at 4 a.m. or stay overnight in the rooms near the temple.
● There are limited trains and buses to Rishikesh, so make sure you make an advance booking for a comfortable travel.
● Chardham Highway may spark you to speed up your vehicle, be patient, and drive carefully to complete the journey safely.
● It can be life-threatening to dip into the flowing rivers so enjoy them while maintaining a distance.
● Be kind to the fauna and flora of the Himalayas, and avoid littering.
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