Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand · temple
Kilkileshwar Mahadev is one of the older and quieter Shaiva shrines of the Garhwal Himalaya, standing on a rock outcrop above the Alaknanda in the Chauras belt, just across the river from the old kingdom-capital and university town of Srinagar (Garhwal). The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in linga form, and local tradition counts it among the five Shiva Siddhpeeths of Garhwal — a devotional cluster it shares with Kyunkaleshwar, Bindeshwar, Ekeshwar and Tadkeshwar. Regional accounts describe the site as very ancient, with roots reaching back to Puranic and Mahabharata-era legend; other accounts credit later rebuilding under the Garhwal (Tehri) royal line. Whatever the precise chronology, it has long functioned as a living place of worship rather than a monument, and pilgrims heading up the Alaknanda toward the Char Dham have historically paused here.
Kilkileshwar Mahadev is one of the older and quieter Shaiva shrines of the Garhwal Himalaya, standing on a rock outcrop above the Alaknanda in the Chauras belt, just across the river from the old kingdom-capital and university town of Srinagar (Garhwal).
a plain stone sanctum on rock, the grey-green Alaknanda sliding past below, and the terraced Chauras flats and forested ridges rising behind. It is an unhurried, contemplative stop — bells, bilva leaves, sandal paste and the river's steady rush, without the press of a major pilgrimage hub. Mondays and the month of Shravan (July-August) draw more local worshippers, and Mahashivratri (February/March) is the most animated day of the year.
Verified: August 2026
Address
Chauras belt, east bank of the Alaknanda, opposite Srinagar (Garhwal), Pauri Garhwal, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, 246174
How to Reach: The shrine sits in the Chauras belt on the east bank of the Alaknanda, opposite Srinagar (Garhwal). Srinagar is about 105 km up the valley from Rishikesh on NH-7 (roughly 3.5-4 hours by shared taxi or bus). From Srinagar town, cross the Alaknanda bridge toward Chauras (HNB Garhwal University campus side); the temple is a short auto-rickshaw or taxi hop of about 2-4 km, followed by a brief walk down to the riverside rock. Shared jeeps and buses serve Srinagar from Rishikesh, Kotdwar and Pauri; the nearest railhead is Rishikesh and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), both roughly 4-5 hours away.
It stands on a rock above the Alaknanda in the Chauras belt, on the east bank of the river opposite Srinagar (Garhwal) in Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. Note that this is Srinagar in the Garhwal Himalaya — not Srinagar in Kashmir. It is only a short distance across the Alaknanda bridge from central Srinagar town.
No. Like almost all active Himalayan Shiva shrines, Kilkileshwar Mahadev is free to enter and open to visitors of every faith. There is no admission ticket; any offering is entirely voluntary.
The shrine is tied to the Kirata legend from the Mahabharata: Lord Shiva is said to have appeared here disguised as a Kirata (a Himalayan hunter) to test Arjuna during his penance, and — pleased with his devotion and courage — granted him the Pashupatastra, the great weapon of the epic. The temple is also counted among the five Shiva Siddhpeeths of Garhwal, alongside Kyunkaleshwar, Bindeshwar, Ekeshwar and Tadkeshwar.
From Srinagar town, cross the Alaknanda bridge toward the Chauras side (the HNB Garhwal University campus area). The temple is roughly 2-4 km on, reachable by auto-rickshaw or taxi, with a short walk down to the riverside rock at the end. Srinagar itself is about 105 km up the valley from Rishikesh on NH-7, around 3.5-4 hours by bus or shared taxi.
October to April brings clear mountain weather and a calmer river. Mondays and the month of Shravan (July-August) are auspicious for Shiva worship, and Mahashivratri (February/March) is the most vibrant day of the year. Avoid the peak monsoon, when the Alaknanda runs high and hill roads can be slide-prone. Remember to remove your footwear, dress modestly, and stay quiet during aarti.
Srinagar Garhwal is a mixed hill town, so choose carefully and stick to clearly marked pure-vegetarian places. Look for shudh shakahari thali bhojanalayas along the main bazaar and near the bus stand, simple satvik dhabas serving dal-roti-sabzi, and basic prasad and tea stalls near the shrine itself. Confirm a kitchen is fully vegetarian before ordering, and keep expectations modest at this quiet riverside site.
Categories