Devprayag in Uttarakhand is one of the Panch Prayags, essentially the Alaknanda River confluences. The other four prayags are Rudraprayag, Vishnuprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandaprayag. These rivers flow together and make up the river Ganga, India’s holiest water source. The rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet at Devprayag, the sacred site where the famous Raghunathji Mandir is situated. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple is built with stone and is believed to be over ten thousand years old. It is highly significant for Lord Rama worshippers as this is where he did penance after defeating Ravana.
About Raghunathji Mandir
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Raghunathji Mandir, also called Tirukantamenum Kadi Nagar, is a highly spiritual place in Devprayag, a town in Tehri Garhwal and is located at about 1,700 feet above sea level. It is situated close to where the two rivers, Bhagirathi, and Alaknanda, join and flow forward. It is constructed with stone mainly. There is a main shrine and additional smaller shrines nearby. Raghunathji Mandir is dedicated to Lord Rama, the temple’s main presiding deity. Lord Rama is also known as Raghunathji. There are other gods and goddesses in the temple premises too.
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History And Legends Of Raghunathji Mandir
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Raghunathji Mandir is significant because it is where Lord Rama did penance after he killed Ravana, who was a Brahmin rakshasa. Lord Rama got a curse as he killed a Brahmin called Brahamahatya and he wanted to atone his sins by doing penance. There is a peepal tree on the premises that is said to hold special powers. It has withstood many disasters and is still where it has always been. Some people believe that Lord Vishnu resides in the leaves of this peepal tree. Many people still come to do penance to get rid of their bad karma and sins in the temple.
Some inscriptions in the temple suggest that it was built in the 8th century and subsequent dynasties made changes and expanded the temple. The temple construction ended in 1860 but when an earthquake happened in 1893 it was destroyed and had to be rebuilt. According to legend, many other important people have performed penance in Devpragaya. Lord Brahma is the first God who performed penance here which is how Devpragya got its name. For example, before the war in Mahabharata, the Pandavas are said to have done penance. Sage Bharadvaja is also said to have done penance in this place.
Best Time To Visit Raghunathji Mandir
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Raghunathji Mandir can be visited throughout the year except in the monsoons when the chances of landslides are high. The temperature dips significantly during the winter and there is snowfall. While some people may enjoy this weather, others find it difficult to walk on snow. The best time to visit is from October to May; right after monsoon as the weather is pleasant and there is plenty of greenery around. The summers are great to visit as well as there is just the right amount of sunshine and warmth. Devprayag is a beautiful place for a spiritual journey so you can visit it whenever your heart desires.
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Attractions Near Raghunathji Mandir
From the mesmerising Chandrabadani Temple to Nakshatra Vedh Shala. If you come to Devprayag, you can visit all these places near Raghunathji temple.
1. Chandrabadani Temple
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A powerful temple, the Chandrabandani Temple, is one of the Shakti Peeths that is dedicated to Goddess Sati. People believe that Goddess Sati’s torso fell in this place and since then worship has begun in this location. Located at the tip of the Chandrakoot mountain, you can enjoy the Surkanda, Badrinath, and Kedarnath peaks along with the Garhwal hills.
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2. Dashrathshila Temple
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The temple is close to the Shanta River and was named after the daughter of King Dashrath. It is believed that King Dashrath did penance here. You can also visit the Dashrathachal Peak which is believed to have King Dashrath’s throne. The views are awesome and the entire experience is uplifting.
3. Teen Dhara
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The Teen Dhara translates to the three small springs you can witness close by. Whether you are on your way to Rishikesh or you are spending some time in Devprayag, you should stop here to get a taste of local cuisine. You can find a range of dhabas that serve delicious local food and you can enjoy it amidst the picturesque surroundings.
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4. Kyunkaleshwar Mahadev Temple
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The Kyunkaleshwar Temple is among the best temples in Devprayag that you can visit with your loved ones. It has four idols; Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, and Lord Kartikeya. The peaceful temple will make you feel at ease and the trek to the temple is a great experience you do not want to miss.
5. Nakshatra Vedh Shala
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It is one of the hidden gems in Devprayag. It is the first astronomical observatory in India and was established by Pt Chakradhar Joshi in 1946. You can find a range of interesting items here such as the old manuscripts. Want to gaze at the stars? You can do so with the amazing telescope and other equipment you will find at this one-of-a-kind observatory.
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How To Reach
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You must cross a suspension bridge by foot to reach the Raghunathji Mandir. However, the spectacular view of the confluence of rivers from the bridge is breathtaking and a sight to behold. Here is how you can reach the holy temple.
By flight: You can reach Devprayag by reaching the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Then hire a taxi from the airport to the temple as the distance is nearly 86 km.
By train: You can reach the Rishikesh railway station, the closest station to Devprayag, and then hire a cab to reach Raghunathji Temple.
By road: Devprayag is connected to roads making it easy for you to reach it without much traffic. You can bring your car, your bike, or hire a cab to reach the mandir.
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Devprayag is an enchanting place perfect for a spiritual journey, whether solo or with family. Raghunathji Temple is a peaceful temple that will make you feel enlightened so do not forget to include it in your fabulous trip to Uttarakhand! If you want to make the most of Devprayag, you should take a few days to spend time exploring the various places nearby as there is so much to see.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Raghunathji Mandir
What are the timings of the temple?
The timings are 6 am to 8 pm every day from Monday to Sunday. It is closed from 12:30 pm to around 3 or 4 pm. The timings may change in case of festivals and seasons.
Is there an entry fee?
No, there is no entry fee to enter the temple. You can donate to the temple if you wish when you visit to worship Lord Rama and the other gods and goddesses.
Which festivals are celebrated at the temple?
Many festivals are celebrated at the temple such as Ram Navami, Diwali, Hanuman Jayanti, Dussehra, and more.
How many steps to climb to reach the mandir?
You have to climb 108 steps to reach the Raghunathji mandir. The steps are steep so make sure you walk slowly.
How much time to spend at the Raghunathji Mandir?
You need to spend anywhere between 3 to 4 hours at this temple because it is such a serene and calm place.
Is there a priest for performing pooja and darshan?
Yes, there is always at least one priest at the temple premises. He can guide you to the best way to visit the temple and perform darshan.
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