Thal Kedar Mandir is a holy temple of Lord Shiva near Pithoragarh situated on top of a hill. This temple is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from the main Pithoragarh city. It is an important religious place famous for its natural beauty and the sacred Shiva Linga.
Since the temple is on a high treeless peak, it was repeatedly struck by lightning. Due to its proximity to an active fault, the temple has been shaken by earthquakes several times. Therefore, the temple was renovated or rebuilt every now and then.
Fortunately, the people of many villages of this zone took up the task of Navnirman. As soon as the first amount of donation was received in the first week of January 2008, the rainwater harvesting work started in the campus. In May-June 2008, written to hundreds of great people for financial assistance, within no time so much money and so many construction materials were received from the generous donors that the way for the work was paved.
The construction work became easier with the contribution of women, men and children from nearby villages. Rather, the glory of the new construction of the temple increased. Worked in great conditions. There was neither rain nor snow for three consecutive years. The whole region was in the grip of drought. The only window sill had dried up. After going uphill for three and a half km, horses had to carry sand, cement, rebars, wood, etc. besides water.
The artisans were not prepared to work in the difficult conditions of the high mountain peak, but the enthusiasm of the members of the work force never diminished, nor did their efforts stop. In the last phase of construction, when there was an acute shortage of water, women and young men from far and near villages filled the tanks by bringing water for several weeks. The hardworking, loyal, accomplished and capable members of the work force engaged in the new construction built a new temple of Devadhidev Mahadev Shiva in two years by working tirelessly. On May 27, 2010, on the day of Buddha Purnima, the newly constructed temple was formally inaugurated.
The structure of the newly constructed temple has been made in such a way that it will be able to withstand the shock of the earthquake. The light conductor will be able to deflect the lightning strike. Scientific measures have been taken to store rain water and clean it, so that water becomes accessible in the campus itself. The majestic peaks visible from Thalkedar are Kedarnath, Trishul, Badrinath, Nanda Devi, Panchachuli and Api-Nampa.
Thal Kedar
Thal Kedar Temple has been a center of faith and devotion for a long time.
According to Himalayan geologists, the dolomite rock (Shiva Linga) at par with Maa Vaishno Devi is about 1000 million years old. Every year on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, a big fair is held at Thal Kedar which attracts a large number of devotees. The holy temple is situated on top of an 8300 ft high mountain in the Soar Valley in the Eastern Kumaon Himalayas.
Many generations like Dhondu Pant, Nana Sahib, and Peshwa Baji Rao try to make it again and again. Even today people have faith in the Thalkedar temple, that’s why the development work goes on continuously. There are plans to build a guest house and dormitories at a distance of 200 meters from the temple so that devotees can stay there, especially on the occasion of the Maha Shivratri festival.
Thal Kedar can be reached by trekking from Pithoragarh, Nakuleshwar Temple and Aincholi. Travelers have to pass through a narrow path surrounded by dense forest. From Thal Kedar, more than 700 kilometers of snow-capped mountains can be seen which include Badrinath, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panch-Chuli and Api-Nampa.
Things to Do Around Thal Kedar
- A visit to the famous Thal Kedar Shiv Temple is incomplete without offerings at the temple.
- Take a dip in its holy waters.
- Be amazed by the beauty of the temple situated amidst the hills.
- Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the panoramic view of the Soar Valley.
- Get a great view of Badrinath, Nanda Devi, Trishul etc.
- Unleash the photographer in you and capture the majestic Himalayas.
Traveller Tips
- The trekking route covers a hilly section and requires a fairly steep climb of about 8 km. So, come well equipped and wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Carry a water bottle with you to keep yourself hydrated.
- Use shades and goggles to protect yourself from the sun.
- There is some amount of vegetation on the way to the temple, so tread carefully.
Best Time to Visit Thal Kedar
Pithoragarh along with Thal Kedar bears the same weather and climatic conditions. Autumn and Spring remains the best time of the year to visit this place. Thal kedar to best visited during this time. Hence, April to October seems to be an ideal to visit Thal Kedar when the weather is pleasant with plenty of sunshine and beautiful view of the mountains.
How To Reach
By Air:- The nearest airport to Pithoragarh is located at Pantnagar and is popularly known as Pantnagar Airport. The airport has daily Air India regional flights to IGI Airport, Delhi. The airport is located about 242 km from Pithoragarh in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. In Pithoragarh you can easily get taxis and buses to reach any destination.
By Train:- The nearest railhead to Pithoragarh is located at Tanakpur. The total distance from Tanakpur Railway Station to Pithoragarh is approximately 145 kms. Travelers can easily get the numbers of buses and taxis from outside the railway station to reach the exact destination.
By Road:- Pithoragarh is well connected with all the major destinations of Uttarakhand by metalled roads. Buses are available from ISBT Anand Vihar, New Delhi to Pithoragarh, Champawat, Almora, Tanakpur and many other destinations. Taxis and buses are easily available to Pithoragarh from major destinations in the state of Uttarakhand.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Thal Kedar, Pithoragarh(Uttarakhand) like the best time to visit, and Activities you can do in this place, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
