Triyugi Narayan Temple

The stunning Triyuginarayanan Temple or Akhand Dhuni Temple is nestled in the Triyuginarayan village in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Tri means three, Yugi means Epochs and Narayan is a synonym for Lord Vishnu. The Triyuginarayan village is situated at an altitude of 1980 meters 6500 feet and is around 5 km away from Sonprayag. This ancient temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu.

It is also considered a part of the holy pilgrimage Chardham Yatra destinations in Uttarakhand state. Triyuginarayan is said to be the capital of Himavat. This pretty temple is renowned for Lord Vishnu temple, trekking, and wedding destination. The timings of Triyuginarayan temple are between 7 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm. The temple is located around 12 km from the renowned Kedarnath temple.

 

This temple is a must-visit among not just the pilgrims but also peace seekers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure lovers.  It is believed that the Triyuginarayan temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya and its architecture resembles that of Kedarnath. Triyuginarayan was the chosen wedding destination of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

As per Hindu mythology goddess, Parvati practiced penance to please Lord Shiva at Gaurikund which is located a very short distance away from Triyuginarayan. Triyuginarayan was the venue of the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvati during the Satya Yuga, witnessed in the presence of the holy fire that still burns eternally in front of the temple in a Havana Kund.

 

Lord Vishnu formalized the wedding and acted as Parvati’s brother in the ceremony and lord Brahma played the role of a priest. The wedding was attended and witnessed by all the important sages, seers, philosophers, and priests The uniqueness of this temple is that a perpetual fire has been burning in the courtyard of this beautiful temple from three yugas- Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dwapar Yuga.

It is also believed the fire is said to have been lit on the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and ever since has not been extinguished. A stone called the Brahma Shila in front of the temple is regarded as the exact spot of the divine marriage. Before the wedding ceremony, the gods are believed to have taken a bath in four Kunds – Rudra-Kund, Vishnu-Kund, and Brahma-Kund.

 

The inflow into the 3 Kunds is from the Saraswati-Kund that is as per the legend originated from Lord Vishnu’s navel. Thus water of this kind is considered to cure infertility. According to the mythology lord, Shiva proposed to Parvati at Guptkashi before they got married in the small Triyuginarayan village at the confluence of the Mandakini and Sone-Ganga rivers. 

About the Triyuginarayan Temple?

Triyuginarayan Temple’s architecture is North Indian style architecture.  The temple holds 2 feet tall silver idol of Lord Vishnu along with idols of his consort Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati. This pretty temple’s courtyard is also the source of a stream that fills four large ponds in the vicinity- Rudra Kund- for bathing, Vishnu Kund- for cleansing, Brahma Kund- for sipping, and Saraswati- for offering libations. The ashes from the perpetual fire burning here are considered holy and are taken back by the devotees for conjugal bliss. The devotees visiting the Tiyuginarayan Temple also visit the Gauri Kund temple devoted to Goddess Parvati which is the base camp for trek to the sacred Kedarnath temple.

Several Hindu devotees who visit Kedarnath come to pay a visit to the divine lord in this temple. The temple Triyuginarayan is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The design and structure of this temple are similar to that of Kedarnath Dham.

The people who are thinking of getting married and not able to decide the destination for their wedding can choose this temple for their wedding as this temple is the most sacred and pious wedding destination in India. This sacred temple offers one the opportunity to tie the knot along with some traditional touch. This offbeat and serene location is set against the backdrop of lush greenery and snow-capped mountain tops making a wedding at this temple one of the most exotic experiences. What is as fascinating as getting married at the same place where lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati once performed a celestial wedding?

Famous Personalities who got married at Triyuginarayan temple

In the year 2017 TV actress Kavita Kaushik who featured as Chandramukhi Chautala in the famous TV serial FIR tied the knot in the Triyuginarayan temple. The marriage of Ghaziabad’s IPS- Aparna Gautam and Nainital’s ADM- Lalit Mohan also took place at this sacred temple. The holy temple is catching the eye since the state government has decided to promote it as a wedding destination. It is becoming a preferred wedding destination for international couples too.

The Wedding Process and Rituals at Triyuginarayan

Before the marriage, the couple needs to take a bath in the water of three holy Kund- Rudra Kund, Brahma Kund, and Vishnu Kund. As per the mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati also took a bath from the water of these three Kund before their marriage. After this, the couple needs to take seven rounds around the pious fire amidst the Vedic mantras reciting specific vows in each round.

Akhand Dhuni an eternally burning flame is present in the temple around which Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took seven rounds. During the marriage, the couple needs to add Samidha which is an offering of wood to this eternal flame in front of the temple the ashes remaining from the burning fire, or Akhand Dhuni is considered the holiest. The couples carrying back the ashes with them are believed to promote conjugal bliss and a happy married life. The couples tying the knot in Triyuginarayan are believed to get the divine blessings from Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva in one single place.

Triyuginarayan Temple can be reached by road from Sonprayag. The nearest railway station to reach Sonprayag is Dehradun City which is around 212kms away. The nearest airport for Sonprayag is Jolly Grant Airport which is around 226 km away. Triyugi Narayan temple is just 12 km from Sonprayag which is the last motorable road that leads up to the temple. Trekkers can take the trekking route to reach this temple. One of the most famous trekking expeditions starts from Mussoorie which is a good 17-day trekking expedition that passes through Tehri, Mala, Belak, Panwali, Kantha, Triyuginarayan, and Kedarnath. Travelers can take a short trek of almost 5 km through Sonprayag on the Guitar-Kedarnath bridle path that crosses through a thick deep forest. There are other trekking routes too. The government authorities of Uttarakhand state have developed six major circuits for the convenience of the devotees that cover temples- Rudraprayag, Tugnath, Ukhimath, Madhyamaheshwar, Guptkashi, Triyuginarayan and Kedarnath.

Where to Stay in Triyuginarayan

One can find affordable modest and clean lodging that is just adjacent to the temple with balcony rooms that provide a million-buck view of the entire region. So one may easily find accommodation here. One looking for a much better place to stay then one can head towards the two nearby villages of Guptkashi, and Sonprayag, situated at a distance of around 30kms that offer better and comfortable hotel options. Some hotels in Guptkashi are- Hanuman Inn and Resorts, Krishna Lodge, and Kedar Valley Resorts. Some of the best hotels in Sonprayag are- Shvlok Hotel, Himalayan Villa, Jamloki Tourist Lodge, and some other comfortable lodges too.

Reasons why the couple should choose Triyuginarayan as a wedding destination

The Uttarakhand state has not only opened the avenue for those couples who are planning a destination wedding in Uttarakhand state but has also found a way to promote the state’s rich culture and tradition. There are some good reasons why one should choose Triyuginarayan as their wedding destination-

Just give a local touch to your wedding with local religions, traditions, mangal geet and food.

The wedding cost at Triyuginarayan temple is only 20 to 30 percent of what one usually pays in a hotel, lodge, or farmhouse. So one can expect a wedding on a budget.

The location is offbeat and serene which makes a fantastic background for one’s religious wedding. This place is nestled at an elevation of 1980 meters and offers panoramic views of snow-covered mountains of the picturesque Garhwal region. This makes it the most loved and preferred wedding destination for couples who are in search of spiritual ambiance in the lap of the Himalayas.

The most perfect time to visit the Triyuginarayan temple is during the onset of the summer season that falls between October and March. During the summer season, the temperature remains extremely salubrious and pleasant. December month marks the beginning of the cold and freezing winter season that lasts till February and the temperature ranges between 0 to -15 degrees Celcius, whereas the monsoon season during July and September makes this place very cold and prone to heavy rainy conditions but the months April to June when the temperature falls between 20 and 36 degrees Celcius is considered the most highly preferred pilgrimage time when the temple is filled with devotees and pilgrims.