Uttarakhand Information Centre

Kalpeshwar is situated in the Urgam Valley in the state Uttarakhand in north-western India. It lies at an altitude of 2,134 meters.

the Kapeshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and. is one of the Panch (five) Kedars.

In this small rock temple entered through a cave, 2 km from Urgam or 11 km from Helang,. The 14 km distance from Joshimath to Helang is motorable and the rest 11 km bridle path via Urgam begins with the crossing of the Alaknanda river at Helang. Most of the trek is a gradual climb. Just 2 km before Kalpeshwar is the friendly village of Urgam (2134 mtrs) set amidst delightful natural surroundings. Urgam is a picturesque valley with terraced fields, lust green forests and gentle, warm and friendly people.

According to a popular legend, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone their sins after the battle of Kurukshetra. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and hid himself at Guptkashi. When the Pandavas spotted him at Gupatakashi, Shiva tried fleeing and took the form of a bull at Kedarnath. On being followed by the Pandava brothers, he dived into the ground and disappeared; only his humps could be seen. Bhim, the second Pandava brother, jumped on this hump and tried to catch hold of the bull by his hump. It is believed that just as bull’s hump appeared in Kedarnath, his belly appeared in Madmaheshwar Temple, his limbs at Tungnath Temple, his head and hair at Kalpeshwar, and his face at Rudranath Temple. All these five temples are together known as Panchakedar and a pilgrimage of all these five shrines is considered holy by the Hindus.