Rudraprayag District Overview :

Rudraprayag district, is a district of Uttarakhand state of northern India. The district occupies an area of 2439 km². Rudraprayagtown is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district is bounded by Uttarkashi District on the north, Chamoli District on the east, Pauri Garhwal District on the south, and Tehri Garhwal District on the west.

Demographics :

According to the 2011 census Rudraprayag district has a population of 236,857, roughly equal to the nation of Vanuatu. This gives it a ranking of 585th in India (out of a total of 640).The district has a population density of 119 inhabitants per square kilometre (310/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 4.14%. Rudraprayag has a sex ratio of 1120 females for every 1000 males, making it the 6th highest in the country as per 2011 census, second being Almora that too in uttarakhand, and a literacy rate of 82.09%.

History :

Rudraprayag district was established on 16th September 1997. It lies at the confluence of two rivers Alkananda and Mandakini. Rudraprayag is one of the Panch Prayags or five confluences of Alaknanda River. Rudraprayag is blessed with nature’s bounty. The district carved out from the following areas of three adjoining districts.

1.Whole of Augustmuni & Ukhimath block and part of Pokhri & Karnprayag block from Chamoli District.
2.Part of Jakholi and Kirtinagar block from Tehri District.
3.Part of Khirsu block from Pauri District.

Geography :

The geology of the region shows that the Himalayas are the young mountains in the world. During early Mesozoic times, or the secondary geological period, the land mass now covered by them was occupied by the great geosynclinal Tethys sea . The probable date of the commencement of the elevation of the Himalayas is about the close of the Mesozoic period, but the unraveling of the story of their structure has only just begin, and in many cases no dating of the rocks is yet possible, though they include ancient and relatively recent crystalline intrusive, rocks and sediments allied to the peninsular part of India . 

Climate :

As the elevation of the district ranges from 800 mts. to 8000 mts above see level the climate of the district very largely depend on altitude. The winter season is from about mid November to March. As most of the region is situated on the southern slops of the outer Himalayas, monsoon currents can enter through the valley, the rainfall being heaviest in the monsoon from June to September.

Rainfall : Most of the rainfall occur during the period June to September when 70 to 80 percent of the annual precipitation is accounted for in the southern half of the district and 55 to 65 percent in the northern half.

Temperature : The details of temperature recorded at the meteorological observatories in the district show that the highest temperature was 340C and lowest 00C. January is the coldest month after which the temperature begin to rise till June or July. temperature vary with elevation. During the winter cold waves in the wake of western disturbances may cause temperature to fall appreciably. Snow accumulation in valleys is considerable.

Cloudiness : Skies are heavily clouded during the monsoon months and for short spells when the region is affected by the passage of western disturbances. During the rest of the year the skies are generally clear to lightly clouded.

Tourist Places :

Ukhimath : This is the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath and worship is done here during the winters when the temples of Kedarnath remain closed. The temples of Usha and Aniruddha, Lord Shiva and Parvati are worth visiting. Ukimath is at a distance of 41 kms. from Rudraprayag and 13 kms. from Guptkashi. It is situated at an elevation of 1311 mts.

Chopta : Situated on the Gopeshwar – Ukhimath road, about 40 kms. from Gopeshwar at an altitude of about 2900 mts., Chopta is one of the most picturesque places in the entire Garhwal region. It provides a breathtaking view of the Himalayan ranges and surrounding areas.

Guptkashi : Guptkashi has a great importance quite like that of Kashi. The ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardhnareshwar temple and Manikarnik Kund, where the two streams of Ganga and Yamuna are believed to meet, are the main places of attraction in Guptkashi.

It is believed that after the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek his blessing. But Lord Shiva evaded from Guptkasi to Kedarnath as he did not want to meet the Pandavas, the reason being that although they had fought for the right cause, they were also responsible for destroying their own dynasty.

Rudraprayag : Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 kms. from Srinagar(Garhwal). The meeting of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers has a unique beauty of its own and it seems as if two sisters were embracing each other. It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, Narad Muni worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra Avtaar (incarnation) to bless Narad.The Shiva and Jagdamba temples are of great religious importance.

Till recently, Rudraprayag was a part of district Chamoli and Tehri. In 1997, the Kedarnath Valley and parts of district Tehri & Pauri were conjoined to form Rudraprayag as a new district.

The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty, places of religious importance, lakes and glaciers.

Deoria Tal: It is situated on the Chopta-Ukimath road about 2 kms. from road head at Sari village. This lake has captivating surroundings with forest all around. Te reflection of the mighty Chaukhamba peak in the lake creates a beautiful effect.

The road is motorable upto Sari, 10 kms. from Ukhimath and from there one has to trek about 2 kms. All arrangements have to be made for a night halt at the spot.

Vasuki Tal: Vasuki tal is 8 kms. from Kedarnath, at a height of 4135 mts. The lake is surrounded by high mountains and offers an excellent view of the Chaukhamba peaks.

Kedarnath : As one approaches from Garurchatti, the magnificent Sri Kedarnath temple is visible on advancing barely half a kilometer. With the stunning background of towering white mountains mantled with snow, the temple presents an enchanting sight. All around it is an aura of peace and purity. Here, the unholy are said to become holy and the holy, holier still. The temple of Kedarnath is considered to be more than a thousand years old. The temple is magnificent in its style and architecture. 

Kalimath : Kalimath is situated close to Ukhimath, and Guptakashi. It is one of the “Siddha Peeths” of the region and is held in high religious esteem. The temple of Goddess Kali located here is visited by a large number of devotees round the year and specially during the “Navratras”

Madmaheshwar : The Shiva temple near the source of the Madmaheshwar river, is the second Kedar. According to a legend, when lord Shiva was avoiding the Pandavas, he sank into the earth at Kedarnath with a desire to elude them and his torso surfaced here at Madmaheshwar.

Tungnath : The Tungnath temple is situated at the height of 3680 mtrs. atop the Chandranath parvat, 30 Kms. from Ukhimath – Gopeshwar Road. To reach it requires a strenuous trek through dense forest.In this temple of Shiva where the dome spans sixteen doors, a 2.5 feet tall idol of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is located along side the lingam. The Nandadevi temple is also situated at Tungnath not far from the awe-inspiring Akash ganga water fall, so called, because the water looks as though is is descending from heaven.

Culture & Heritage :

Living in the mountains mostly in places that are not easily accessible the people of the district have been able to preserve their culture, folklore, folksongs and folkdances,

 Fairs :

Hariyali Devi Mela: Held every year during the months of Navratra (September-October) at Hariyali Devi Temple. The temple has an ornate of the Goddess on a lion’s back. Devotees from various places throng here to worship the Goddess and seek her blessings.
Baishakhi Fair – On 13-14 of the month of April, it is celebrated  in the Mandakini valley with great curiosity in places like Augustamuni, Phegu, Talatoli etc. On this day the Sun enters the Aries Rashi.

Madhameshwar Mela: Madhameshwar Mela is organized at Ukhimath Block headquarter. Second Kedar Lord Madheshwar’s Doli, reaches the Panchkedars  Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath after the winter migration, from Madhameshwar Dham, on this occasion, a grand ceremony of the Madhameshwar fair is organized. A large number of devotees from different areas of district comes for visiting the fair.

Pandava Dance : Pandava dance is very popular in the district Rudraprayag. Pandava dance is based on the dance and music of the Kaurava-Pandavas described in the Mahabharata. It is believed that after Kurukshetra war,to get rid of sin of death of Guru and gotra Pandav had come to this part for praise of the Lord Shiv. In memory of Pandav still today the Pandav Leela is celebrated in this region.

Festivals :

Ramnavami: It is celebrated on the auspicious day of Sri Ram’s birthday; Ramnavami takes place on the ninth day of Chaitra month. From singing ‘Bhajans’ to worshipping Lord Rama with incense sticks, the devotees dedicated themselves to Lord Rama for this day.

Holi: The festival of colours is celebrated with fun. Apart from playing with colours, the people of Rudraprayag dance around bonfires and   drinks Thandai.

Shivaratri: A festival arranged to honour the mighty Lord Shiva; the temples of Lord Shiva are decorated during Shivaratri. Devotinal songs are sung and rituals are followed on this day. Even fairs are arranged.

Nagpanchmi: A day celebrated for thanking the Nagas or serpent gods, Nagpanchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Sravana. The Nagas are offered  milk and figures of snake are made.
Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Dussehra are among the major festivals that are celebrated with great pomp and show in the region. Folk dances and spirit dances are a part of festivities and culture of the land.