Recently, I was sifting through my previous posts, and I realized that many of my articles feature pictures of the mighty four-pillared peak, Chaukhamba. Spotting Chaukhamba is not difficult; if you travel to the central Garhwal region, particularly in Rudraprayag, this peak stands out distinctly. Spiralling up into the horizon, it appears as a giant, unleashing its raw beauty with its pristine snow-capped top, sparkling as the sun gently hammers the soft rays on its surface.

I, therefore, had the urge to gather all the interesting pictures of Chaukhamba and pen down a dedicated post about it.

About Chaukhamba

Chaukhamba or “four pillars”, is a Himalayan peak located in the Garhwal region. This peak is situated between the Gangotri glacier to the west and the Satopanth glacier to the east. Two of these four pillars rise above 7,000 metres. These two peaks, Chaukhamba I (7,138 metres) and Chaukhamba II (7,058 metres), are among the 15 peaks over 7,000 metres located within the state of Uttarakhand.

Some of the famous treks that offer pristine views of the Chaukhamba peaks include

1. Madhmaheshwar Trek
2. Deoria Tal trek
3. Tungnath – Chandrashila
4. Kartik Swami Temple

Except for Madhmaheshwar, all treks are single-day hikes, allowing you to return to your base on the same day. For Madhmaheshwar, you may require more than a day. All these 4 treks are located in Rudraprayag district.

Let’s scroll down and see how Chaukhamba unleashes its raw beauty from these places.

View from Madhmaheshwar Trek

Madhmaheshwar is one of the panch (five) kedar temples situated in Uttarakhand. I have written a dedicated post on this trek (click here if you wish to read). From Madhmaheshwar, we trek further for about 1 km to Budha Madhmaheshwar, which is at the top of the same mountain. The views from here are magical. When I trekked here, it was early in the morning. The night was receding with the rising sun, and as the sun kissed the top of the Chaukhamba peaks, I captured the ensuing magic.

View from Deoria Tal

The trek to Deoria Tal begins from the small village of Sari. Although the trek is relatively short, it offers breathtaking views. At the center of the meadows, there is a small lake, and towering before you is the majestic Chaukhamba.

Tungnath – Chandrashila

This trek is particularly interesting as it leads you to one of the highest Shiva temples. Starting with a 3 km uphill walk from the nearest roadhead at Chopta, you reach Tungnath. From Tungnath, a further 1 km hike brings you to Chandrashila. Here, you are rewarded with stunning 180-degree views of the Garhwal Himalayas. This trek is popular among adventure seekers and is accessible throughout the year.

Kartik Swami Temple

Dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the trek to Kartik Swami Temple starts from Kanakchauri village and is a 2.5-3 km walk one way. The views from the temple are spectacular, with the mighty Chaukhamba standing prominently behind the temple as if guarding it with all its might. For more details, you can check out my dedicated post on this temple (click here).

While these locations are handpicked, there are many other places from where one can witness the grandeur of Chaukhamba. The captivating vistas of Chaukhamba await your discovery.

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