Eight Years, No Plan: Finding Peace at Kapileshwar Mahadev

Namaste, Dosto! Our unplanned journey to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary continues, proving that sometimes, the best trips are the ones that just happen. As we always say, the rush of life will always be there, but it’s essential to steal moments like these to truly find the real happiness in life.

This vlog captures the quiet morning of our second day—a day dedicated to devotion, simple pleasures, and maybe a little drama over a bath!

The Cold Morning Rituals

We woke up at 6 AM to the soft, gentle light and a beautiful cloudy atmosphere. Our campsite was completely silent overnight, offering a deep sense of peace. But peace quickly gave way to the universal struggle: the mountain chill.

My husband and our little Shivraj, our huge devotees of Shiva, had apparently made a plan the night before to take a proper bath. But when they awoke to the brisk mountain air, that plan evaporated! "I'm not bathing! I'll just wash my face and I'll be handsome!" my husband joked. And honestly? He truly was glowing after a simple face wash!

I, however, wasn't letting the cold win. I set a small vessel of water on the gas stove to warm up. I knew I'd have to take a "crow bath"—a quick five-liter sponge bath—but it was necessary before heading to the ancient temple. The simple act of brushing our teeth while enjoying the flowing water from the natural spring was an incredible start to the day.

A Sacred Stop: Mata Shailputri

Our main destination was the Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple, a place renowned as a site of salvation (moksha ka sthaan). Before we could reach Lord Shiva, tradition (and our hearts) led us to the nearby temple of Mata Shailputri, where she is believed to have been born.

We encountered a fascinating rock formation and learned a local legend: two rock deities were transformed into these stones, but the focus was on the Mother Goddess.

I have a strange habit: I love finding quiet, empty temples to clean and serve. The Mata Rani temple was just that—a peaceful, slightly unkempt spot. I immediately got to work, cleaning the sacred space, including the diya stand which hadn't been scrubbed in ages. My husband was thrilled, joking that I'd taken on the whole responsibility of cleaning the temple. My only wish in return? "I just want your company and your support, that's my only blessing!"

The Ancient Kapileshwar Mahadev

Finally, we reached the majestic Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple. The surroundings alone are humbling; the towering trees and ancient mountains make you feel incredibly small.

This temple is truly a marvel. It sits at the confluence of three rivers, a Triveni Sangam where the Kumiyai and Kharak rivers meet before flowing into the Kosi. This location itself adds to its sanctity.

The history is stunning: it is believed that this entire temple was built by the Katyuri Kings in a single night during the 7th or 8th century! Legend also holds that Kapil Muni performed deep penance here, achieving spiritual powers, and the kings built the temple to honor Lord Shiva at this very spot.

Walking among the ancient statues, the Samadhis of great saints, and the old temple structure (which has been preserved for 1200 years!), you feel connected to a timeless power.

Our unplanned trip was truly blessed. It combined the joys of traveling with our family, the quiet comfort of camping, and the divine energy of these sacred, ancient Himalayan sites.

That was a beautiful experience to write about! I loved the personal moments, like the "crow bath" and your cleaning mission at the temple.