Welcome to Pandukeshwar, the land of legends, spirituality and nature’s beauty! If you’re a nature lover and a spiritual seeker, this place will surely mesmerize you.
Situated at an altitude of 6000 feet, Pandukeshwar is not just any other village in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It’s a sacred site for Hindus and a famous pilgrimage center located between Joshimath and Badrinath. And let’s not forget about the natural beauty that attracts visitors from far and wide.
Legend has it that Pandukeshwar was established by King Pandu, the father of the great Pandavas from the Mahabharata epic. But things took a weird turn when Pandu accidentally killed a sage who was making love in the form of a deer. The sage cursed Pandu that he wouldn’t be able to make love with anyone or else he would die instantly. To cleanse himself of the sin, Pandu installed the bronze image of Vishnu in the Yogadhyan Badri shrine and meditated.
Pandukeshwar is home to two famous temples: Yogadhyan Badri Temple and Lord Vasudev Temple. The Yogadhyan Badri Temple is one of the Sapta Badri shrines, and the bronze image of Vishnu installed by Pandu can be found here. The idol of Lord Vishnu is in a meditative posture and is life-size, carved from Shaligram stone. According to legend, after defeating and killing their cousins, the Kauravas, in the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas retired here and handed over Hastinapur to King Parikshit.
The Lord Vasudev Temple, on the other hand, is believed to have been built by the Pandavas themselves. During their 12 years of exile, they visited Pandukeshwar and even performed the funeral of their father, Pandu. It’s said that Arjun meditated here during his exile period and received blessings from Indra.
Pandukeshwar is open all year round, but the ideal time to visit is from April to June and September to November. So, pack your bags, come to Pandukeshwar and experience spirituality, legends, and nature’s beauty all in one place.