Kartik Swami Temple, The Only Lord Murugan Temple in Uttarakhand: Complete Travel Guide

Sitting atop the Kronch Parvat (Parvat is Hindi for mountain) at an elevation of 3048 metres, the Kartik Swami Temple is the only temple in Uttarakhand dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the elder son of Shiva and Parvati.

The temple is rich in its history and offers spectacular views of the coveted Himalayan range that includes the Kedarnath Dome, Chaukhamba, Neelkanth, Chandrashila, Dronagiri, Nanda Devi, Trishul, Banderpoonch, Meru and Sumeru Parvat.

Reaching the temple requires a short yet mesmerizing trek that is lined with dense forests of Oak, Pine, and Rhododendron trees. In this post, we will discuss how to reach the Kartik swami temple, the history behind it, and why every spiritual seeker and nature lover should visit this epic place.

Where is Kartik Swami Temple Located?

Kartik Swami Temple is a popular temple in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, and it is 38 Kilometers away from the town of Rudraprauyag on the Rudraprayag-Pokhari Road.

To reach the temple, one must trek a distance of 3.5 Kilometers from Kanakchauri Village, which at an elevation of 2800 metres, to reach the top of the Kronch Parvat or Swaminath Danda (local name for the mountain), at 3048 metres.

The trek to the Kartik Swami temple is short and quite easy even for beginners and offers stunning views of the Chaukhamba and Neelkanth peaks while the rest of the Himalayan range unveils itself as the altitude increases. Kartik Swami Temple is a perfect day trip for people on their way to Kedarnath, Chopta, and Badrinath because this is a place you do not want to miss out on.

What is the story of Kartik Swami Temple?

The story of the Kartik Swami Temple is rooted in a very popular episode from Indian Mythology. Once, lord shiva asked his sons Lord Kartikey and Ganesha to circle around the universe 7 times.

Kartikey set off on his journey to circle the universe, while Lord Ganesha, referring to his parent as the universe, circles around them 7 times and thus wins the race and his parents’ appreciation.

However, when lord Kartikey finds out what had transpired, he is said to have left Kailash enraged and left his bones at this place, which is where the temple is built.

How was Kartik Swami Temple Established?

After talking to the owner of the Mountain Home Stay in Kanachauri, we found out that a priest from Srinagar, Garhwal discovered the temple. We were told that Lord Kartikeya appeared in his dream, where he showed him the place where his bones are. After searching quite a bit, the bones were discovered, and the temple was established.

How to reach Kartik Swami Temple in Uttarakhand?

The Kartik Swami temple is easily accessible by motorable roads to the Kanchauri Village, where the trek to the temple starts. To reach the Kartik Swami Temple, you must first reach Rudraprayag and then take the Rudraprayag-Pokhari road. You can easily find a shared taxi from Rudraprayag to Kanakchauri village.

Nearest Railway Station to Kartik Swami Temple

The nearest railway station to the Kartik Swami Temple is at Rishikesh, at a distance of 135 km from Rudraprayag and 175 km from Kanachauri village, from where you need to trek 3.5 km to reach the Kartik Swami temple. Alternatively, you can also get off at Haridwar or Dehradun Railway station, depending on rail connectivity.

Nearest Airport to Kartik Swami Temple

The nearest airport to the Kartik Swami Temple is the Dehradun airport which is at a distance of 20 km from Rishikesh. From Rishikesh, you can book a taxi to Kanachauri.

Accommodation in Kartik Swami

There are all kinds of accommodations and stays available at Kartik Swami. You can either stay at the Dharamshala near the temple that temples priests manage but remember to bring rations as this is not a hotel/restaurant.

Another option is to book a cheap hotel/homestay at Kanakchauri Village, which will cost you around 700-1000 per night for a room. Finally, you can stay at the Mayadeep Holiday Home in the Kanachauri Village, and a single room there will cost you around 4000.

If you wish to visit the temple and return the same day, you can stay at Rudraprayag and catch a local taxi or drive to Kanakchauri, visit the temple and return by evening.

Important Cities Near the Kartik Swami Temple

Places to See Near the Kartik Swami Temple

When should I visit Kartik Swami Temple?

The Kartik Swami temple is open around the year, but the best time to visit is between October to March, as this is the time when snowfall happens in the Himalayas, and the forest is lush with monsoons. Around March, you will experience vibrant colours in the forest due to the blooming rhododendron.