Guptkashi is a picturesque town situated on the banks of River Mandakini and snuggled between the Chaukhamba peaks of Garhwal Himalayan range. As per mythological legends, Gupt Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva proposed Goddess Parvati for their marriage. A second legend behind Gupt Kashi goes back to the days of Mahabharata when Pandavas, after the battle, prayed to Lord Shiva to relieve them from the agony of fratricide. Lord Shiva avoided meeting them and hid himself in Gupt Kashi in the form of Nandi bull. When Pandavas reached Gupt Kashi, they recognized Shiva in the form of bull and tried to hold him by its tail and hind legs.That very moment, Lord Shiva disappeared from Gupt Kashi. As Lord Shiva secretly hid himself here, the town has got the prefix of ‘Gupt’ to its name.Following are the Main Attractions in Guptkashi

• Vishwanath Temple – As mentioned above, the ‘Vishwanath Temple’ is home to the original Shivlinga of Lord Shiva that is believed to have been brought from the Vishwanath Temple in Kashi when the temple was attacked by the Mughal Emperor,Aurangzeb. Many pilgrims gather here is huge numbers to seek blessings of the God.

• Ardhanarishwar Temple – The ‘Ardhanarishwar Temple’, located near the main Vishwanath Temple, houses the deity of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the form of half man and half woman.Manikarnika Kund– Manikarnika Kund also holds a great religious significance as the Shivlinga residing in the centre of the kund is bathed by waters of two springs representing Ganga and Yamuna.

• Sonprayag – It is another small enchanting town situated on the confluence of holy rivers Basuki and Mandakini. The ‘Triyuginarayan Temple’ in the village of Triyugi near Sonprayag is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. As per the puranic legends, this is the place where Lord Shiva married to Goddess Parvati in front of Lord Vishnu.

• Gaurikund – This place is located 15km. ahead of Gupt Kashi and is the base site from where the trek of around 20 km. needs to be commenced to reach Kedarnath. Pilgrims first take bath in the hot waters of the Gaurikund and pay homage in the ‘Gauri Temple’ before proceeding with their journey to Kedarnath. As per mythological beliefs, Gaurikund is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to attain Lord Shiva as her husband. According to a second belief, Lord Shiva blessed Lord Ganesha with the elephant head at this sacred site of Gaurikund.