Augustmuni Travel Guide (Char Dham)
Agastyamuni, a small town that falls under the hilly district Rudraprayag of Uttarakhand state, the devbhoomi, is famous for the temple of Maharshi Agastya. The temple was earlier the place where Saint Augusta worshipped and includes the sacred August Kund and a Lord Shiva temple. Agasteshwar Mahadev, a temple by the name of the saint is dedicated to sage Agastya. This temple is also of archaeological significance; here, figures of Gods and Goddesses have been carved out on stones. On the occasion of Baisakhi, a large fair is held and many devotees come here to worship and pay their homage to God.
This place is also believed to have been Saint Augusta’s asylum where he used to offer his austerities to the Lord. It is said that the temple was once flooded with water and was brought to ruins. It was then seen by a local in his dream.
When people visited the temple, they found Rishi Augusta’s Kund and established his idol at the same place which is still worshipped in the form of Rishi Augusta. There is also a temple of Saint Augusta’s Guru Mahadeva in this place.
Augustyamuni is a town dedicated to one of the most revered teachers in Indian mythology - Rishi Augustya. Augustyamuni is important for the Char Dham yatra as it has a helipad from where helicopter tours of the Char Dham are undertaken.
This ancient temple is made in the South Indian style, in which later there are changes made for the revival. In the main temple is the kund of Agastya Muni and the idol of his disciple Bhogajit.
Augustmuni Temple
Augustmuni is a holy place situated in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Augustmuni temple is situated in this place and this is the reason why this place came to be called Augustmuni. The temple used to be Saint Augusta’s place of worship and includes August Kund and a Lord Shiva temple.
A temple by the name of Agasteshwar Mahadev is dedicated to sage Agastya and this temple is also of an archaeological significance; figures of Gods and Goddess have been carved out on stones. On the occasion of Baisakhi, a large fair is held and many devotees come here to worship and pay their homage to God.
Augustmuni Temple Ancient Form
This place in Rudraprayag is believed to have been Saint Augusta’s asylum where he used to offer his austerities to Lord. It is said that the temple was once flooded with water and was brought to ruins. It was then seen by a local in his dream.
When people visited the temple, they found Saint Augusta’s Kund and established his idol at the same place which is still worshipped in the form of Saint Augusta. There is also a temple of Saint Augusta’s Guru Mahadeva in this place.
Mythology / Importance of Augustmuni
There are many legends associated with this place. One such legend says that it is believed that when Saint Augusta visited this place, it was terrified by two monsters who were called Aatapi-Vatapi. These monsters used to disguise themselves and invite people to their place for lunch. Innocent saints used to accept their offer and visit their place.
It is believed that when people used to visit their place, one monster used to turn himself into a dwarf and used to hide in the food being offered. Doing this, he used to enter the person’s body and then cut it out from the inside when called by the other monster. The two monsters then ate the person. People were terrified by the two monster brothers and asked Saint Augusta for help.
Listening to the people’s problem, Augusta went to the monsters’ place to eat food. The monsters used the same trick and Rishi Augusta started doing some spells. This killed one of the monsters. The other was killed in a battle with Saint Augusta later on. This is how the people living in this place got rid of the two monsters with the help of Saint Augusta.
Helipad in Augustmuni
Pawan Hans Helicopters operate flights to Kedarnath from Augustmuni and Phata. The route from Augustmuni goes like this: Augustmuni – Kedarnath – Augustmuni.
The flying time is around 45 minutes for a round trip to visit Kedarnath from Augustmuni in Helicopter.
Best Time to Visit – Weather in Augustmuni
Except for the three months of monsoons from July till September, the rest of the year is perfect for visiting Augustyamuni. The quaint village town is beautiful throughout the year with extraordinarily cold winters which will require you to cover yourself adequately with woollen. Augustmuni is the great place to stay or visit during your Char Dham Yatra tours Package. Many pilgrims during their Char Dham Yatra, stay at Augustmuni for some duration. There is also an open ground where helicopter facilities are available for Char Dham pilgrims.
A fair is organised at the festival of Baisakhi in Augustmuni. During this fair, many people come here to join the fair.
Due to heavy rains in the rainy season, it is a bit difficult to travel here because of heavy rains threatening landslides. The temperature here ranges from 5°C to 15°C in the winter season and the temperature in the summer season is between 20°C to 30°C.
How To Reach Augutmuni
Augustmuni is a small town situated on the banks of Mandakini River in Rudraprayag at a height of 1,000 metres above the sea level. The town is known as the place where Rishi Agastya meditated for several years. Tourists visiting the town can see Agasteshwar Mahadev Temple dedicated to the Rishi.
Being a hilly place there are many facilities available at Agastyamuni for tourists and pilgrims. Helipad in AugustMuni There is an open ground where helicopter & chopper facility is available for the famous Hindu religious place Kedarnath Temple.
Route 1 : Delhi – Augustmuni via Haridwar
By Road:– Augustmuni is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for travelling to Augustmuni from Delhi via Haridwar. You can also drive your car to travel Augustmuni.
Augustmuni does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Haridwar via train then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Augustmuni. It will take approximately 5 hours to reach Augustmuni.
Route 2 : Delhi – Augustmuni via Dehradun
By Road:– Augustmuni is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to Augustmuni from Delhi via Dehradun. You can also drive your car to travel Augustmuni.
Augustmuni does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Dehradun via train or air then hire taxi, cab or local bus to reach Augustmuni. It will take approximately 6 hours to reach Augustmuni.
By Rail : The nearest rail head is at Rishikesh which is 87 km away from Augustyamuni. Taxis and buses are easily available for Augustyamuni from outside the railway station.
By Road : Augustyamuni is well connected by motor-able roads which connect it to other major tourist centres of the state. There are public and private buses that ply in and out of the city on a regular basis connecting it to nearby cities.
Char Dham Distance Chart From Augustmuni
From this place many pilgrims visiting Kedarnath by Helicopter, continues their road journey to Badrinath. As there are few hotels, it act as night halt for Char Dham Pilgrims as well.
Augustmuni – Yamunotri
Distance : 280 kms | Time:– 10 hrs
Route:– Augastmuni – Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Chinyalisaur – Dharasu Band – Barkot – Jankichatti – Yamunotri
Augustmuni – Gangotri
Distance : 288 kms | Time : 10 hrs
Route : Augustmuni – Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Naughar – Uttarkashi – Gangotri
Augustmuni – Kedarnath
Distance : 75 Kms | Time : 5 hrs
Route:– Augustmuni – Guptkashi – Phata – Sitapur – Sonprayag – Gaurikund – Kedarnath
Augustmuni – Badrinath
Distance : 174 kms | Time : 7 hrs
Route:– Augustmuni – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Govindghat – Pandukeshwar –Hanuman Chatti – Badrinath
Top 5 Places To Stay In Augustmuni
There are few options for accommodation in Augustmuni during Char Dham Yatra. Following is the list of hotels, resorts, guest houses in Augustmuni.
1) Kedar Camp Resorts
This resort is located at a calm place which is surrounded by greenery where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful view of Himalayn peaks.
Address : Village Rudrapur, Jahkdhar Road, Guptakashi, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.
2) GMVN Phata Toruist Rest House
This rest house provides confortable stay with the all essential facilities. It is popular for providing helicopter services to Kedarnath Temple.
Address : GMVN Tourist Rest House Phata, Phata, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, India.
3) Monal Resort
It is the only resort situated in Rudraprayag district on the route of Badrinath temple. This luxury resort offers world class amenties with warm hospitality.
Address : Monal Resort, Main Badrinath Road, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
4) Shangrila Resort
This resort offers its guests the old world charm with the all new mordern amenties. This budget offers 3 types of rooms and warm hospitality.
Address : Shangrila Resort, Raintole, Rudraprayag – 248171, Uttarakhand, India.
5) Hotel Paradise
It is the best hotel for the night halt for the pilgrims who are visiting Kedarnath temple. This hotel offers their guests confortable stay with all the essential amenties.
Address : Near Helipad, Kedarnath Rd, Phata, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
Places To Visit In Augustmuni
- Phata : Phata is a small village located on the Gopeshar – Gaurkund Road in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand state of India. Phata is at an altitude of 1500 mts and famous for its helipad, which is used by many pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Temple.
- Chopta : This place is popularly known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ in Uttaranchal and Northern India. Chopta is rich in varied flora and fauna. Chopta is situated amidst thick forest of pine, deodar, and rhododendrons
- Augustmuni: : Augustmuni is a small town in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India. It is situated on the Mandakini river and is 18 km. from Rudraprayag.
- Kedarnath : It is one of the most popular temples in Uttarakhand. It comes under the Chota Chardham circuit. Pilgrims have to trek 16 km to visit this holy temple.
- Dugalbitta : Dugal Bitta means the space of location between the two mountains. It is a part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and it is a natural treasure itself.
- Tungnath : It is the highest temple of Hindu Lord Shiva. It is a one of the five temple which comes under the Panch Kedar circuit.
- Gaurikund Temple : This is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Parvati who is the wife of the Hindu Lord Shiva. In this temple, pilgrims offer their prayers. Pilgrims on their way or yatra to Kedarnath Temple makes it a point to stop here to visit this holy religious temple.
- Sitapur : Sitapur is located just 7 kms from Gaurikund and 26 kms from Guptkashi on-road towards Kedarnath. Sitapur can be a good place to halt during heavy seasons for Char Dham Yatra.
- Chandrashila Trek : Chandrashila trek is started from Chopta. This trek offers you the beautiful view of some snow-covered mountains.
- Sonprayag : It is situated on the confluence of two sacred rivers which are Mandakini and Vasuki river. This place is located on the route of Kedarnath Temple.
- Ukhimath : Ukhimath is a pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 1311 meters and at a distance of 41 km from Rudraprayag. It is the home or winter seat of the idol of Kedarnath Temple and Madhyamaheshwar.
- Gauri Kund : This Kund is also known as Gauri Lake, the Lake of Compassion or Parvati Sarovar, Hindu people consider this lake as a sacred lake and believes that this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha.
- Chamoli : Chamoli is the largest districts in Uttarakhand and a town located on Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway. It is situated at a height of 1300 m above from the sea level. The land of Chamoli is said to be a favorite of Lord Shiva.
- Gopeshwar : Gopeshwar is a township and the headquarters of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is situated at an altitude of 1550 m above sea level.
- Guptkashi : It is famous for the ancient Vishwanath Temple dedicated to god Shiva similar to the one in Varanasi (Kashi). Its religious importance is considered next to that of Varanasi, believed to be the most pious of all Hindu pilgrimage places.
