Guptkashi

Guptkashi that is also addressed as Guptaskashi is an important religious place for the Hindus just like Kashi due to its association with Lord Shiva and also recites the Indian mythological history of Mahabharata. Guptkashi is an important stop for pilgrims as it falls en route to Kedarnath, one of the Char Dham. Guptkashi being a village doesn’t have many attractions but that doesn’t mean it is any less interesting with its already existing attractions like the ancient Vishwanath temple, Manikarnika Kund and Ardhanareshwar. A legend that goes around Guptkashi is that Lord Shiva proposed Mata Parvati for marriage here and the conjugal ceremonies were carried out in Triyuginarayan which is a small village near the confluence of River Mandakini and Son Ganga. Another legend is that during the Mughal rule when Aurangazeb demolished Kashi Vishwanath temple in the year 1669 to build the Gyanvapi mosque, for the safety of Shivlinga it was shifted to Guptkashi and has remained here since the date it was shifted. According to the Puranic literature Kashi and Kanchipuram are believed to be two eyes of Lord Shiva, keeping this nuance six more Kashi were made with equal sacred and spiritual importance so that the pilgrims who cannot travel to Kashi- Varanasi can visit the nearest Kashi to them. Out of the six Kashi, two of them are Uttarkashi and Guptkashi in Uttarakhand. Guptkashi is also related to Mahabharata as after the battle Pandavas tried reaching out to Lord Shiva to seek his blessing but lord Shiva avoided the meet by disguising himself as the Nandi Bull to Guptkashi but later Pandavas pursued him later recognizing the Nandi Bull as Lord Shiva. Many Lingas can be seen in and around Guptkashi as they believe ‘jitne pathar utne Shankar’ which translates to ‘as many stones those many Shivas’.

Best time to Visit Guptkashi

Guptkashi in Summers (March - June)

Guptkashi in Summers has pleasant weather with a moderate temperature ranging from 15℃ to 30℃. The best time to visit Guptkashi is Summers where the breezy winds and clear sky give a spectacular view of the Himalayas. The maximum exploration of Guptkashi can be done during this season the temples and the nearby places have majestic environments. The weather is not too hot due to its high altitude and is bearable.

Temperature:

• Guptkashi in March: The temperature of Guptkashi in March maximum rises to 18℃ and minimum falls to 16℃
• Guptkashi in April: The temperature of Guptkashi in April maximum rises to 23℃ and minimum falls to 11℃
• Guptkashi in May: The temperature of Guptkashi in May maximum rises to 27℃ and minimum falls to 13℃
• Guptkashi in June: The temperature of Guptkashi in June maximum rises to 29℃ and minimum falls to 17℃​

Guptkashi in Monsoon (July- August- September)

Guptkashi in Monsoon doesn’t receive heavy rainfall, the place receives moderate rainfall and refreshes the land carpeted in with green grasslands. Guptkashi does attract nature lovers during the monsoons but still, there is a risk of Landslides in the monsoon. The temperature of Guptkashi in Monsoon ranges from 16℃ to 26℃.

Temperature:

• Guptkashi in July: The temperature of Guptkashi in July maximum rises to 26℃ and minimum falls to 18℃
• Guptkashi in August: The temperature of Guptkashi in August maximum rises to 26℃ and minimum falls to 18℃
• Guptkashi in September: The temperature of Guptkashi in September maximum rises to 26℃ and minimum falls to 16℃​

Guptkashi in Winters (October- February)

Winters in Guptkashi sets from late October. The weather remains chilly till November and from December Guptkashi sees snowfall.  People willing to experience extreme cold and want to see this place covered in snow like a white canvas should visit Guptkashi in winters. However, treks to Kedarnath and Badrinath are closed in this season, Guptkashi remains as the winter Kedarnath for pilgrims willing to pay their visits to Kedarnath.

Temperature:

• Guptkashi in October: The temperature of Guptkashi in October maximum rises to 24℃ and minimum falls to 12℃
• Guptkashi in November: The temperature of Guptkashi in November maximum rises to 21℃ and minimum falls to 10℃
• Guptkashi in December: The temperature of Guptkashi in December maximum rises to 16℃ and minimum falls to 05℃
• Guptkashi in January: The temperature of Guptkashi in January maximum rises to 13℃ and minimum falls to 03℃
• Guptkashi in February: The temperature of Guptkashi in February maximum rises to 16℃ and minimum falls to 04℃​