Koteshwar Mahadev Temple (Devbhoomi Uttarakhand -The lands of gods)

Koteshwar Mahadev Temple - This Temple of Lord Shiva is located at a distance of appx 03 kms from rudraprayag main which is 15-20 mins drive from here(as the name suggest rudra-prayag)  this place also consider as the Stay place of  Lord Shiva (Rudra) and Prayag -Confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini river could be seen Here Hence Rudraprayag .

This place  is also one of  the Panch Prayag  which are in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.(other four are Devaprayag , Nandaprayag , Karanprayag & Vishnuprayag.

 This  temple is considered to be first been built  in 14th century and than rebuild in 15th & 16th Century , this is a very important spot for the pilgrimage for char dham yatra and pilgrimages do pay a visit before heading to Shri Kedarnath dham and Panch kedar circuit.

                                                           Koteshwar Mahadev Temple

At  Koteshwar Mahadev Temple  there are Many stairs which goes down to the confluence spot  of rivers where the temple is located and just steps near to the temple there is a Holy cave with Shiv-linga and various idols carved in the rocky surface this is believed to be from centuries at this places protected by snakes (as snakes being the companion of lord shiva) there is a big fair happened every year in Maha-Shivratri when many followers come across from different  part of India  to pray at this temple and get the blessing of lord Shiva this place is also considered to be very effective for the couples without children they offer special pooja to get the blessings of Lord Koteshwar mahadev.

As per Mythology this temple of Koteshwar Mahadev is associated  with the Story of Demon called Bahsmasur (when lord Shiva was Delighted with the Very Hard penance of Bhasmasur he offered him a boon of killing just in mere second anyone be it  king/man/god/ or any other creature by just putting his hand on the head of his opponent he would be turned into ashes there & than.

But the Demon want to testify the power of the boon , despite of the fact he received this boon from lord Shiva He want to try it with lord Shiva itself on identifying his intentions lord Shiva vanished and took shelter under this cave and meditate here until the time when Lord Vishnu took the only femine Avatar called  “Mohini” and Killed Bhasmasur .

  In Some other stories also  Lord Shiva Hidden & Mediate here to escape from Pandavas reach,  who were in Search of The Lord After the battle of kurushetra so In order to get the ‘Moksha’ (The ultimate liberation) and  from here only lord shiva  make his  further way to Shri kedarnath and other panch kedars when discovered by Pandavas.

 Koteshwar Mahadev Cave

People who wish to visit  Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, "mahashivratri "  could be the best time or in summer Season / winter season except for monsoon time(Due to Heavy Rain-fall and water-level in the river) one could visit here ,this place is very sacred and deities from around the village and the regions also being took here for the holy bath as per their rituals.