There is a Hindu temple located in Triyuginarayan village in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Triyuginarayan temple is also known as Trijugi Narayan temple among locals. Triyuginarayan temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni temple.
Triyugi Narayan temple provides a peaceful and picturesque evening. The beauty of the Triyuginarayan temple is quite cool to the eyes. It is mentioned in the Vedas that this Trijuginarayan temple was established in Treta Yuga, while Kedarnath and Badrinath were established in Dwarpara Yuga.
Triyuginarayan is made by three words; Tri means three, Yugi means a long period of time (Yug) and Narayan is the name of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that The fire igniting inside the temple is burning for three ages (Three Yug), hence the name of this place is called Triyugi and the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu so the complete name became Tri Yugi Narayan.
The Tri Yugi Narayan temple is mainly famous for Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati’s marriage. Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati tied the knot considering the sacred fire burning for three ages as a witness. Pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath Dham also can visit the Triyuginarayan temple as it is on the way.
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About Triyuginarayan Temple or Akhand Dhuni Temple in Uttarakhand
Lord Vishnu performed the duty of brother of Parvati in this divine marriage, while Lord Brahma became a Priest.
It is said that the sacred fire which is igniting for centuries started to burn at the time of this divine marriage. Thus, the temple is also called the Akhand Dhuni temple.
Pilgrims carry the ashes of Havan Kund with them and believe that it will make their married life happy. Brahmashila in front of the temple is considered to be the real place of this divine marriage.
Triyuginarayan was the capital of Himavat. Here Lord Shiva married Mata Parvati in Tretayug. Lord Vishnu followed all the rituals in the marriage of Shiva Parvati as the brother of Goddess Parvati. While Lord Brahma became a priest in the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
At that time all saints and monks attended this ceremony. The fixed place of the marriage venue is called Brahm Shila, which is located right in front of the temple.
All the deities also bathed here before this divine marriage hence there are three Kunds (Pools), called Rudra Kund, Vishnu Kund, and Brahma Kund.
The water supplies on these Kunds from the Saraswati Kund. Saraswati Kund was formed from Lord Vishu’s navel. It is believed that bathing in these pools gives freedom from childlessness
There is a temple of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in Triyuginarayan Temple. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his Vamana form in the Triyuginarayan temple and at the same time, the statues of Shri Badrinath and Lord Ramchandra Ji are also present in the sanctum sanctorum. Deepdan (दीपदान) remains unbroken in the temple; near this lamp, there is a statue of Goddess Parvati built.
Triyuginarayan Temple Havan Kund
The Havan Kund located in the temple is also ignited continuously; wood, ghee, barley, and sesame are offered in its fire. People use the ashes of the Havan Kund on the forehead which people accept as prasad. There are four pools on the courtyards of the temple known as Brahakund, Rudrakund, Saraswatkund, and Vishnukund. There is a tradition of bathing and tarpan in it. It is also believed that the ashes emanating from Havanakund make the married life of devotees happy.
According to another ancient story, King Bali had to perform 100 Yagyas to get Indrasana. The king performed 99 Yagyas, then Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatar and stopped King Bali, which disrupted the sacrifice of King Bali, therefore Vishnu is worshipped as a Vamana deity at this place.
How To Reach Triyuginarayan Temple?
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant (233 km) which is located in Dehradun.
- By Train: Rishikesh (219 km) is the nearest railway station.
- By Road: The temple is 12 km away from Sonprayag. Sonprayag is well-connected by road. The Triyuginarayan temple is also accessed by trekking.
