Treks by
April–June & September–November: Pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing and river visits. Avoid: Peak monsoon (July–August) due to rain and possible landslides; winters are cold but clear—suitable for spiritual retreat
By Road Located on NH 58, between Rishikesh and Badrinath. Approx. distances: Rishikesh to Karnaprayag: ~172 km by road via Devprayag–Rudraprayag Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) to Karnaprayag: ~212 km via Rishikesh. By Air Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~212 km). Chandigarh (~237 km) and Delhi (~277 km) airports are alternatives By Rail Closest station: Rishikesh (smaller). Mainline connections via Haridwar Junction (~24 km from Rishikesh). Ongoing railway extension to Karnaprayag
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860 meters
Located at the sacred confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers, Karna Temple is a revered shrine in the town of Karnaprayag, Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Karna, the legendary warrior from the Mahabharata, the temple is believed to be the site where Karna meditated and worshipped the Sun God. It is also associated with the tale of Lord Krishna cremating Karna on the Karnashila rock after his death in the Kurukshetra war. The temple features traditional Himalayan stone architecture and offers a serene spiritual ambiance surrounded by natural beauty. Pilgrims visit this temple not only for its mythological significance but also to experience the tranquility of one of the Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand.
Karna Temple is a sacred and historically significant temple located in the town of Karnaprayag, one of the five Panch Prayags of Uttarakhand where the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers meet. The temple is dedicated to Karna, the noble yet tragic hero of the Mahabharata. According to legend, Karna performed intense penance here and worshipped Surya Dev (Sun God) to receive his divine armor (Kavach) and earrings (Kundal).
Another local belief states that after Karna's death in the Kurukshetra war, Lord Krishna, in the guise of a Brahmin, cremated him at this very spot—on a sacred rock known as Karnashila.
Karna Temple in Karnaprayag holds deep mythological and spiritual significance. According to Hindu epic Mahabharata, this is where Karna, the son of Surya (Sun God), meditated and offered prayers. It is believed that Surya blessed Karna here with the divine armor (Kavacha) and earrings (Kundala), making him nearly invincible. Another important tale suggests that Lord Krishna cremated Karna at this very spot after the Kurukshetra war. The sacred boulder known as Karnashila near the temple is considered the exact place of Karna’s cremation. Though its exact origin is unclear, the temple is believed to be ancient and possibly re-established by Adi Shankaracharya during his journeys in the Himalayas, making it an important pilgrimage spot in Uttarakhand.