Koteshwar Temple Rudraprayag

Koteshwar Temple

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple  is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva, and is located approximately 3 kilometres (3,000 m) from the centre of the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, a little above the Alaknanda River.

Legends

The location is presumed to be the spot where Lord Shiva had stopped for meditation on his way to Kedarnath. According to local mythology the temple has existed since the time of Bhasmasura.

This was the demon who turned to ashes anyone whose head he touched. Lord Shiva went into hiding to escape this threat, resting in various places before coming to the cave at Koteshwar Mahadev. Shiva rested here for some time, meditating, before confronting and defeating the demon. A similar legend is associated with Shrikhand Mahadev and Kinner Kailash in Himachal Pradesh.