Gopeshwar/Shri Gopinath Mandir Chamoli Gopeshwar, Uttarakhand
Gopinath Temples, is one of the largest and tallest temples of the Garhwal region, located on the ancient pilgrimage route of Badrinath and Kedarnath. It is situated in the center of the courtyard with a Nagar style shikhara on a square sanctum. Whereas the Mandap and Jantral were built later in the same line. Inside the courtyard are temples of Parvati, Ganesh, Hanuman, Anasuya and Navadurga. Based on the architectural style, the main temple was built between the ninth and eleventh centuries AD and probably by the Katyuri rulers.
It’s said that while Kamdev tried to disrupt lord Shiv, meditation, lord Shiv burnt him here with his trident, which can be seen near entry to temple on right side. It’s is also said that when anyone touches it with a single finger with pure heart it vibrates. The metal of the trident is not weathered by the elements over a long period of time.