Kalpeshwar, Hindu temple in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

Kalpeshwar is a Hindu temple in the Kalpganga Valley in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, standing at an elevation of 2,134 meters amid dense forests and mountain peaks. The structure was built inside a natural cave, whose narrow entrance leads to a small interior space with a lingam emerging from the rock.

The site belongs to the Panch Kedar group, constructed by the Pandavas according to Hindu tradition after the war recounted in the Mahabharata. Pilgrims have reached the shrine for centuries using steep paths laid out by villagers and herders through the remote valleys.

Devotees worship the matted locks of Lord Shiva at this temple, where he is known as Jateshwar, referring to his hair manifestation. Pilgrims walk around the sacred stone inside the cave and light oil lamps while priests from nearby villages conduct the rituals.

The temple is reachable throughout the year. A road now runs up to Devgram village, from where the trek is only 300 metres; the road suits bicycles and small cars except during the monsoon. The longer bridle path from Helang passes the confluence of the Alaknanda and Kalpganga rivers, and the Dhyan Badri temple at Urgam village lies on the route.

The cave lies at the foot of the Kalpeshwar rock, whose surface resembles matted hair, and the lingam inside is held to be self-manifested. Beside the temple is the Kalever Kund, a spring whose water pilgrims take and drink, and sadhus use it to pour offerings to Shiva.