Triyuginarayan Temple (Sanskrit: त्रियुगी-नारायण) is a Hindu temple located in the Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India. The ancient temple is dedicated to god Vishnu. Its fame is credited to the legend of god Shiva’s marriage to goddess Parvati witnessed by Vishnu at this venue and is thus a popular Hindu pilgrimage site. It is believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya.
A special fact of this temple is a perpetual fire, that burns in front of the temple. The flame is believed to burn from the times of the divine marriage.
The term “Triyugi Narayan” is derived from three words “tri” meaning three, “yugi” denoting a period of time – a yuga and “Narayana” another name for Vishnu. Pilgrims have been offering wood to the fire in the havan-kund (fireplace) for three yugas – hence, the place is named “Triyugi Narayan”.
The name “Akhand Dhuni temple” also originates from the eternal flame legend, “Akhand” means perpetual and “Dhuni” means flame.
According to Hindu dharma, goddess Parvati was daughter of Himavat or Himavan – the personification of the Himalayas. She was the rebirth of Sati, the first wife of Shiva – who sacrificed her life when her father insulted Shiva. Parvati initially tried to allure Shiva by her beauty, but failed. Finally, she won Shiva by practising rigorous penance at Gaurikund.
Triyuginarayan is believed to be the capital of Himavat. It was the venue of the celestial marriage of Shiva and Parvati, during the Satya Yuga, witnessed in the presence of the holy fire that still burns eternally in front of the temple in a Havana-kund or Agni-kund, a four-cornered fireplace on the ground. Vishnu formalised the wedding and acted as Parvati’s brother in the ceremonies, while the creator-god Brahma acted as the priest of the wedding, that was witnessed by all the sages of the times. The exact location of the wedding is marked by a stone called Brahma Shila, in front of the temple.
The shrine houses a silver, 2-foot image of god Vishnu (Narayana), accompanied with wife – goddess of wealth Lakshmi and the goddess of music and learning – Saraswati.
Distance of Sonprayag from Dehradun is approx. 260Km Via Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Guptkashi – Sonprayag. Last stretch of 12 Km from Sonprayag to Triyugi Narayan is single road.
Contact Enchant Aviation for Triyugi Narayan Marriage arrangements.