On route towards Kedarnath, you will find this famous town of Uttarakhand, Guptkashi, with similar religious significance as that of Kashi or Banaras. It is located 47 km before Kedarnath at 1319 mts above sea level, as an abode to the holy Ardhnareshwar temple, Manikarnik Kund, and Vishwanath temple.

Owing to the rich religious significance and beautiful peaks of the Chaukhamba mountains covered in snow, Guptkashi makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Also, if you are travelling to Kedarnath, stopping by Guptkashi on the weekend will be quite a rejuvenation from the long journey. Book yourself into an OYO family hotel, start finalising the top sightseeing in Guptkashi, have some local food and then start over with your journey. Moving on, here is what you can do in Guptkashi when visiting over the weekend.

Discover The Mystics Of Guptkashi On Your Weekend Trip

As the legend goes, Pandavas, after finishing off the battle of Mahabharata, wanted to meet Lord Shiva. But because Pandavas were responsible for killing their own clan, Lord Shiva decided not to meet them and moved from Guptkashi to Kedarnath. Because of the religious correlation with Lord Shiva, devotees from all over India and the globe visit the temple town.

Apart from temples, on your trip, you can also enjoy the mesmerising picturesque beauties of this region. Here is what you can do when visiting over the weekend. But check out all the OYO family hotels in Guptkashi and leave your luggage at a selected family hotel before you start with the darshans.

Visit The Ardhanareshwar Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple gains uniqueness from the presiding idol here, half man and half woman. The idol is an amalgamation of Shiv and Shakti – which stands for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Owing to this uniqueness, the temple stands first in the list of top sights in Guptkashi.

Do Not Miss Out On The Vishwanath Temple

Like Kashi, you also get to witness the charm of Lord Vishwanath, i.e., Shiva, the Lord of the Universe, when visiting the Kashi of North, Guptkashi. Other than the shrine of Lord Shiva, the temple also stands out owing to its architectural uniqueness. The structure comprises regional stones and a tower adorned with a wooden frame. It has quite a resemblance with the temple of Lord Vishwanath in Varanasi.

Stop By The Manikarnik Kund

Located in the complex of the Vishwanath Temple, the Makikarnik Kund is where the Shiva Linga is bathed. The bathing process is completed using two water sources: the cow’s head and the Ganesha’s head.  The best part is both the water sources have two holy rivers backing them up, the Ganga and the Yamuna. The best time to visit is the beginning of winter and summer.  

Enjoy The Mesmerising Beauty Of Gaurikund

Located by the banks of the river Mandakini, Gaurikund will be a great location for a peaceful getaway over the weekend. Situated at an altitude of 2000km above sea level, visiting the place will help you experience the mesmerising beauty of the Gaurikund temple and Lake. Visit between March to November. As for the rest of the days, this place remains covered with snow.

Indulge Into Some Local Cuisines

In the middle of the visits, or the night before you leave, here are some locals cuisines that Guptakshi has to offer. Do try these out, and you will get to taste the authentic flavours of the place.  

• Chaunsu: Black lentils are roasted and made into powder, and then the cook comes up with a thick curry, mixing spices and herbs. Have it with rice or chapati as you like.
• Phaana: The dish combines Gahat and Kulath lentils, soaked for 8 hours. Later these are ground into a fine paste. Some are used to make gravy, and others to prepare small pancakes. It is served with chutney and rice.
• Kode ki Roti: This famous roti preparation uses local ragi grains. To get the perfect taste, you must eat it with a daal.  
• Bhatt ki Churkani: One of the most loved dishes in Uttarakhand, Bhatt ki Churkani is a rich source of fibre and protein. The particular is prepared using local soybean and rice, blended for a thick paste.

Why OYO?

Guptkashi is a small temple town of Uttarakhand; therefore, few hotel places are available. However, OYO family hotels in Guptkahsi offer all the basic amenities and complete security, making it a great stay. You have the rooms here with free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, Geyser and attached bath. Also, the properties are well maintained, with installed CCTV cameras and fire safety equipment on board.

OYO has your stay across all the family hotels in Guptkashi insured under ACKO. Moreover, you have amazing discounts available all year round. If you are making a booking through the OYO app for the first time, you have a sure-shot chance to get 100% cashback on the booking amount as OYO Money.   

Conclusion

These are a few highlights of Guptkashi and the surrounding areas. Make sure to visit during the summer months to get a seamless experience. Guptkashi, including Kedarnath, remains covered with snow during winners. Monsoons call for heavy rains and flash floods. Book your accommodation with OYO family hotels in these areas beforehand to avoid any last-minute hustle.

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