| Description:
Gowrikund is a popular Himalayan shrine at about 4000 Meters above sea level where it is
believed that Gowri (Parvati) meditated upon Shiva. Surya and Chandra are also
believed to have worshipped Shiva here.This shrine is located on the route between
Rishikesh and Kedarnath. The route
between Kedarnath and Gowrikund is a picturesque one. Gowrikund has several hot springs.
Gowri is believed to have taken a bath here after giving birth to Kartikeya. Legend has it
that, at Triyuginarayan, south of here Shiva and Parvati were married. The fire kindled
during their wedding is said to be burning at Agnikund. Also nearby, is the temple
to Mundkatta Ganesh - without a head. Shiva is believed to have cut off the head of
Parvati's son Ganesh and then revived him to life here.
Four shrines to Shiva in the Himalayas have been glorified by the Tevaram hymns of the
Tamil Nayanmar saints of the 1st century CE. They are Indraneela
Parvatam, Gowrikund, Kedarnath
and Mount Kailash. Although none of the
Nayanmars has visited this Gowrikund, Sambandar has sung about Gowrikundam from Kalahasti.
Gowrikund or Anekatankaavadam is the first of the Tevara Stalams
hailed by the Tamil hymns of the Nayanmars, located outside of Tamilnadu/Kerala/Karnataka
i.e. in Vada Naadu (the northern lands). |
