Kartik Swami, Rudraprayag

Kartik Swami is one of the holy places located in the Rudraprayag District. Located at a distance of 38 km from the Rudraprayag town, this place has a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Kartikeya, son of the Lord Shiva. Nestled at an elevation of 3048 m above sea level, this place is surrounded by the mighty Himalayan ranges.

According to mythology, once Lord Shiva asked his two sons to take a round of the universe and announced that the winner would get the opportunity to worship the parents first. Lord Ganesh, another son of Shiva, won the competition by encircling his parents (which meant the universe to him) and made Kartikeya very angry.

As a result he gave away his bones to his father and his flesh to his mother. These bones are still there in the temple, which are worshipped by numerous devotees. Situated on the Rudraprayag-Pokhri route, this temple can be reached by a trekking of 3 km from the Kanak Chauri village.