Kedarnath:
Kedarnath is one of the most respected temple destinations of India and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. Located at an altitude of 3,580 m on the banks of Mandakini River, which flows down from the Chorabari glacier. Temple is built of large-sized rocks on a rectangular platform; the temple houses a Shiva Lingam in an unusual pyramidal form.
Historically, this region is called as “Kedar Khand” from Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata, came for seeking blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption of their sins of committing fratricide (killing own brothers and sisters) etc. The Lord avoided to meet them and escaped. Bheema captured him in Kedarnath when he was in the form of a bull. He dived into the ground leaving his hump on the surface at Kedarnath Temple. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four different places where they are worshipped as his manifestations.
The arms appeared at Tungnath (Rudraprayag), the face showing up at Rudranath (Chamoli), the navel and stomach at Madmaheshwar (Garhwal) and his hair at Kalpeshwar Cave Temple (Garhwal). The Pandavas built the temples at these five places for worshiping Shiva. However, ancient sage Adi Shankaracharya, around 8th century AD, established the present temple. These five shrines make the revered Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is situated at the confluence of two sacred rivers, Vasuki Ganga and Mandakini. It is en route 20 km before the Kedarnath, which offers a brilliant view of snow-capped mountains and the lush green Sonprayag valley.
Gaurikund:
Gauri Kund is the base camp for trek to Kedarnath Temple. Situated at an altitude of 6502 feet above mean sea level. It offers panoramic view of the Kedarnath dome in the Himalayan Mountains. The Kedarnath Temple trek is a 16-km route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple. The trail passes through forest-covered mountains, river streams but most of it has well maintained walking route. From Gaurikund, you have to first reach Jungle Chatti, then Bheembali, Chhoti Lincholi, Badi Lincholi and Chanicamp before the Kedarnath Temple. Gaurikund is also associated with beheading of the Lord Ganesha by Lord Shiva.
Chorabari Bamak Glacier
Known as Chorabari Glacier, the origin of Mandakini River, is located about 2 km upstream from Kedarnath. It is a popular trekking trail leading from the Kedarnath temple to the snout of glacier, which is about 3,820 m above the sea level.
Mount Kedarnath
Kedarnath peak or Kedarnath Main is visible behind the Kedarnath temple. Considered as auspicious by pilgrims, the snow-capped peak at an altitude of around 6,940 m is a challenging climb for professional mountaineers. The Kedarnath peak and the Kedarnath Dome are part of the Gangotri group of peaks. Kedarnath is the highest peak on the south side of the Gangotri glacier, and Kedarnath Dome is the third highest. The trek to Kedar Dome is easy for high altitude trekkers. It offers great views of the Gangotri glacier, Gangotri peaks, and the stunning Mount Kedarnath.
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
Sprawled over an area of 975 sq km, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest protected area in this region of the Himalayas. Best known for the home of endangered musk deer that’s why it is called as the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary.
Stunning natural beauty, amazing views of valleys, forests, grasslands, glaciers, colourful flowers, butterflies mesmerise you. It falls on the trekking route from Gauri Kund to the Kedarnath Temple. Animals like snow leopards, jackals, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, red fox, snow partridge, Himalayan monal, Koklass pheasant, little-pied flycatcher, grey-cheeked warbler etc. can be seen in the Sanctuary.
Rudra cave
Rudra cave, an underground meditation area constructed by the Nehru Mountaineering Institute, at a distance of about 2 km from the Kedarnath Temple complex. It is a part of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam’s guesthouses. The cave offers facilities for meditation. It is popularly known as the “Modi cave” and meditation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019.
Brief about Char Dham Yatra:
Uttarakhand is often referred to as the “Devbhumi” i.e., ‘the land of the Gods’ because to its religious significance. The State is home to numerous temples, religious sites and circuits that devotees visit throughout the year. One of the most prominent religious tour is the Char Dham Yatra (‘Char’ means ‘Four’ and ‘Dham’ means ‘religious sites’) which covers four holy sites situated in the Himalayas viz. Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These sites open up for six months every year from April/ May to October/ November. Devotees complete this pilgrimage in clockwise direction by starting from Yamunotri to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and finally to Badrinath. Sometimes devotees prefer two destinations only, then do pilgrimage to two shrines – Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Deities of these religious sites:
- The Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is located very close to the source of River Yamuna in Uttarkashi district. A dip in the River Yamuna is said to protect one from untimely death. The temple is located at around 3,233 m above sea level. (Part-I)
- The Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the most sacred of all Indian rivers. (Part-II)
- The Kedarnath is located in the Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district and the deity is Lord Shiva. (Part-III)
- The Badrinarayan Temple is located in Badrinath, Chamoli District and the deity is Lord Vishnu. (Part-IV)
Best Time To Visit
Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple remain closed from November to April. Hence, it is open from May to October, which is the best time to visit Kedarnath.
How To Reach:
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. Hire a cab or get a bus to reach any of the site. Part of the journey can also be completed by helicopter service.
By Train
Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun are nearest railways stations and regular trains are available from major cities of the country, across the year. Rest of the journey can be performed by cab or bus and partly by helicopter.
By Road
Journey by road may be a good option that can take a time to reach your destination but you will enjoy the journey once you starts climbing in the mountain. From New Delhi, Yamunotri is 420 KM (10.15 Hrs), Gangotri – 501 KM (12 Hrs), Kedarnath – 448 KM (10.30 Hrs) and Badrinath 526 KM (13Hrs, approx.).
You can reach the Kedarnath by two ways, one from Rishikesh to Kedarnath via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Gaurikund. This route is around 210 Km long that will take around 6 hours to reach Gaurikund i.e., the last motorable point and beyond that by trekking, horses or palanquins etc.
And the other one, in continuation of your journey from Gangotri to Kedarnath via Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, Sonprayag, Gaurikund. Since, the distance from Gangotri to Gaurikund is about 325-340 Km that will take around 12 hours, hence, you take a halt at night in Srinagar or Rudraprayag.
Part-I: Details of journey from Delhi to Rishikesh to Yamunotri i.e., 1st place to be visited on Char Dham Yatra, may be read at: https://www.singhontrek.in/yamunotri
Part-II: Details of journey from Yamunotri to Gangotri i.e., 2nd place to be visited on Char Dham Yatra, may be read at: https://www.singhontrek.in/gangotri
- Part-IV: Details of journey from Kedar Nath to Badrinath i.e., 4th place to be visited on Char Dham Yatra, may be read at: https://www.singhontrek.in/badrinath
