Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi
Guptkashi, Uttarakhand
Guptkashi is the base town for Kedarnath, and its Vishwanath Temple is a Shiva shrine that pilgrims visit before and after the climb. By tradition, Shiva hid here (the name means 'hidden Kashi') while avoiding the Pandavas. Beside the temple, the Manikarnika Kund is fed by two streams, which tradition calls the Ganga and the Yamuna.
What to see and do
- Have darshan at the Vishwanath Temple
- See the Manikarnika Kund, where two streams flow into the tank
- Visit the nearby Ardhanarishwar Temple
- Take a calm evening walk in the town
Ideal for
- Pilgrims resting before or after the Kedarnath trek
- Devotees of Shiva
- Families who want an easy temple visit
Good to know
- It is a small hill town, so allow about 45 minutes
- Temples close for a break in the afternoon, so check timings locally
- Mornings and evenings are the best times
- Dress modestly; footwear is left outside
Spiritual significance
Tradition links Guptkashi with the story of Shiva hiding from the Pandavas, which also explains why Kedarnath is where he finally appeared as a bull's hump.
Why it matters
- The base of Kedarnath: the usual overnight stop for the yatra
- A hidden Kashi: Shiva worshipped here as Vishwanath, like the Kashi of the plains
- Manikarnika Kund: a sacred tank with two streams flowing in