About Bansi Narayan Temple
The Bansi Narayan temple is located in Urgam valley in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. This temple of Bansi Narayan is an 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple lies 10 km ahead of bansa which is last village in this valley, hence there is very less human settlement to be found there.
This temple is around 3600 meters above the sea level in the Bugyals. This temple also occupies an inhabited spot for the local language (Shaily Katyuri) mountain in the Urgam valley which is surrounded by the divine Himalayan ranges of Nanda devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti. This temple has a sight of dense oak and rhododendron forest that no nature lover can resist. The ten-foot-high temple houses a quadrangular statue of Lord Vishnu.
The Bansi Narayan temple opens only once a year, on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) and devotees visit the temple to tie Raksha sutra to Lord Narayana.
History of Bansi Narayan Temple
The Bansi Narayan temple has its roots in Hindu mythology and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The time when the entire world was ruled by the demon King Bali, lord Vishnu sought to help the plight of other gods, troubled by the great conquest of king Bali.
Lord Vishnu attained the Avtar of a dwarf Vamana. On there encounter the Vamana asked king Bali to measure the land up to three steps. King Bali granted the Vamana’s wish as he was unknown. Shri Hari Vishnu then acquire a gigantic form and covered the entire universe with two strides.
The pride of King Bali was shattered by the lord, he then asked the Vamana to place his third stride on Bali’s head. King Bali was then sent o the underworld with the pressure of Vamana’s foot. The form of Lord Narayana was also known as Trivikrama. Bali requested for the protection of the Lord and so Lord Vishnu accompanied king Bali to the underworld, assuming the role.
Mata Lakshmi consulted to Shri Narada Muni to locate the whereabouts of the lord as she was unable to find the lord. Shri Narada Muni then narrated the whole plot to Mata Lakshmi and suggest her to travel to the underworld on a full moon of the Shravan month and tie a Raksha sutra on king Bali’s wrist.
The Bansi Narayan temple was believed to be the place where Lord Narayana emerged from the underworld.
What is Bansi Narayan Temple Famous for?
The Bansi Narayan temple is famous for many reasons
- It is the only temple in Uttarakhand that opens once in an entire year.
- It is famous for the idols of lord Narayana and lord Shiva, situated in this temple.
- Lord Ganesha and forest goddesses’ sculptures grace this temple.
- It is famous for its temple, architecture, culture
- It is famous for its surroundings and weather.
- It is famous for the festival that is celebrated here.
- It is famous for its Hindu mythology and rich history and many more.
Best Time To Visit Bansi Narayan Temple
The best time to visit Bansi Narayan temple in Uttarakhand is the spring seasons and the summer seasons. The winters are cold and snowy and there are chances of landslides. Apart from that it also makes trekking difficult.
It is highly recommended to visit this temple at the time of Raksha Bandhan since the doors of this temple opens only at that day only.
Raksha Bandhan Celebrations at The Bansi Narayan Temple
It is believed that Deva rishi Narada worships Lord Narayana at the temple of Bansi Narayan for 364 days and humans have the right to visit and worship this temple only for one day, the day that the humans can worship this temple is the day we celebrate Raksha Bandhan. On the day of Raksha Bandhan every household in the village of Kalgoth donates butter to the temple, and festivities are preparing with this butter, which is later given to the devotees and other priests as ‘prashad’.
Trek To Bansi Narayan Temple
The trek to the Bansi Narayan temple starts from the place called as Devgram which is a village in Urgam valley. The trek is around 12 to 15 km long and it generally takes about 6 hours to 8 hours to finish with water and snack breaks. The trek to Bansi Narayan temple is easy to moderate in difficulty but you will surely have some problem if you are not a regular hiker.
The trekking route to Bansi Narayan temple can make you see some rare and beauteous species of birds such as the red billed blue magpie, Himalayan monal, scaly breasted woodpecker, khalif pheasant, or a streaked laughing thrush.
- This trek to the Bansi Narayan temple is divided into two phases, Devgram which 6614 ft height to Mulakharak with 8907 ft which will take you 2 – 3 hours to reach then via Bansa village and Uruba Rishi temple.
- Mulakharak (8907 ft) to Bansi Narayan temple (11772 ft high) which will take you 4 hours via Jadgi Mata temple – Chetarpal Mandir and Nokchuna Dhar.
If you wish to enjoy your trekking to the fullest, it is advisable that either you start the trek early in the morning or book a camping trip with you so that they can help you reach to the Bansi Narayan Temple, which would be a 3 to 4-day excursion.
Location of Bansi Narayan Temple
The Bansi Narayan temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in the Urgam valley.
How To Reach Bansi Narayan Temple
The Bansi Narayan temple can only be reached by foot.
You have to make your way till Joshimath, which is at a distance of about 293 km from Dehradun. From Joshimath, head toward helang which is about 22 km away and finally head towards Devgram, 15 km away from helang. The trek to Bansi Narayan temple begins at Devgram which is 12 to 15 km long.
The Bansi Narayan temple is situated approx. 12 km from Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple, the last of Panch Kedar.
- Nearest Airport : The nearest airport to the Bani Narayan temple is Jolly grant airport of Dehradun, which is located at 265 km away from helang (Urgam road). From there you can always take bus or taxi to reach to your desired location.
- Nearest Railway Station : The nearest railway station is Haridwar railway station, which is 283 km away from Devgram, the trek to the temple starts at Devgram.
- Road Connectivity to Bansi Narayan Temple : The road to Devgram can be accessed from Haridwar, Dehradun or Rishikesh.
Motorable Routes to Bansi Narayan Temple
- Dehradun – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Gopeshwar – Joshimath – Helang – Devgram.
- Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Gopeshwar – Joshimath- Helang – Devgram.
Public Transport To Bansi Narayan Temple
- You can always take a bus or shared taxi from either Dehradun or Rishikesh or Haridwar to Joshimath.
- You can also Get off at Helang.
- Take a shared taxi to Devgram.
The journey to the Joshimath by the public transport can be quite exhausting for you. So, it is advisable that you stay in Joshimath for the night and head towards Devgram early the next morning. The next morning you can take a shared taxi from Joshimath to Devgram.
Visit Bansi Narayan Temple During Your Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is one of the famous journeys in the state. It is also known as Chhota Char Dham. It is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. It is located in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand. The circuit consists of four sites- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It is believed every person should visit all these sites for once in their lifetime. It is also believed that if they worship in all these sites the devotees can get ultimate moksha.
Bansi Narayan temple is a very special kind of temple. If you are travelling during Raksha Bandhan time, then you should visit this temple as a part of your journey. This temple holds a great importance in Hindu mythology and history. So, if you ever visit these Char Dham sites during Raksha Bandhan time or even during summer or spring time you should visit this temple.