Kalp Kedar temple is a small and obscure but a very important and ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated at Dharali, a small village about 6 km from Harshil and 20 km from Gangotri in the Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is associated with the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame and said to be constructed originally by them. Legends go that the famous temple of Lord Kedarnath in the high Himalayas was constructed, also by the Pandavas, following the pattern of this temple.
Location
The temple is situated by the side of the Gangotri Road on the left bank of the river Bhagirathi at Dharali. There is a small gate by the side of the highway indicating the way to the temple.
Just on the opposite bank of the river, upon the hill, there is the white colored Mukhimath temple in Mukhwa village. This temple is the winter abode of the goddess Ganga. When the Ganga temple at Gangotri is closed for heavy snow and inaccessibility during the winter months, a replica of Goddess Ganga is brought here from Gangotri and the Puja is performed here. The replica is returned to Gangotri in the month of May, and the Puja is continued at the Ganga temple, Gangotri.
River Bhagirathi at Dharali
The gate of the temple of Kalp Kedar
The temple
The temple of Kalp Kedar is constructed in the North Indian "Pahadi" (Pahari) style. It has a square base, with the sanctum housing the Shiva Lingam. A tall curvilinear tower is built over the sanctum.
There is a small ante-chamber or Mandapa in front of the sanctum.
On the front facade of the tower, there is a humanoid face inscribed. This is the face of Kal Bhairav, the fierce attendant of Lord Shiva.
In front of the Mandapa there is a square tank filled with water.
The sanctum with the lower portion of the Mandapa is totally submerged in water. The door of the temple can be seen but the Shivalingam inside is not visible.
The temple was partially excavated in 1980's but 6-9 ft still remains