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Visiting Kedarnath Dham and witnessing the darshan of Baba Kedarnath amidst the snowy Himalayas is a dream for every Indian Hindu. Located in a very challenging place, the journey to Baba Kedarnath Dham is not easy. You travel through the narrow valleys of the Himalayas all day, followed by a 16 km trek. Expert trekkers categorise the Kedarnath trek as moderate, meaning the trek itself is not easy.
Kedarnath is one of the Char Dhams located in Uttarakhand and is considered one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. Many devotees visit all four Dhams—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—while some are particularly devoted to Baba Kedarnath and come mainly for his darshan. Baba Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also one of the Panch Kedar located in Kedarnath.
Devotees from...
Kedarnath Dham opens for devotees in the first week of May and closes on Bhai Dooj, the festival celebrated two days after Diwali. During this period, Kedarnath Dham is crowded with devotees. Even during the fearful and dangerous monsoon season, devotees do not stop coming and continue to reach for Baba Kedar’s darshan.
The construction style of the Kedarnath temple resembles other temples built in Garhwal, Uttarakhand, which is unique in itself. However, the credit for the construction of these temples is given to the rulers of the Katyuri dynasty. Built by breaking rocks and using large stone blocks, these temples are examples of ancient construction art and strength.
The journey to Kedarnath is so full of natural beauty that it brings immense peace and stability to your mind. During the trek, you encounter high mountains, waterfalls, the Mandakini river, and the mas...
To reach Kedarnath, you first need to arrive at Haridwar or Rishikesh. From there, you can either drive your own car or bike, or use buses and shared taxis. Haridwar and Rishikesh are considered the gateways to the Garhwal Himalayas. To begin the Kedarnath trek, you need to reach Gaurikund, which is approximately 220 km away.
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Rishikesh. You can hire a taxi or get a bus from Dehradun, Rishikesh, or Haridwar to reach Gaurikund, the starting point of the trek.
By Train: Yog Nagri Rishikesh (YNRK) is the last railway station towards the Garhwal Himalayas. From there, you can take a bus, hire a private taxi, or opt for a shared taxi to Gaurikund.
By Road: The magnificent Char Dham Highway offers a great driving experience amidst the beautiful and dense Himalayan valleys. Taxis and buses are readily available at Rishikesh to reach Gaurikund if you prefer public transport.
Trekking: The trek to Kedarnath starts from Gaurikund. From the parking area or the bus terminal, you need to take a taxi to reach the trekking starting point, which is about 5 km away. The trek itself is moderately challenging, covering 16 km each way and requiring significant effort.
Final Darshan: You may encounter a long queue at Kedarnath and it may take another 3-4 hours for Darshan.
Note: If you don't find a direct bus to Gaurikund, you can plan a break journey via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Sonprayag.
Tip 1: Buses that travel directly to Gaurikund start around 4 am from Haridwar and Rishikesh. Make sure to secure your seat by reaching the bus station on time.
Tip 2: You can also rent a bike from Haridwar or Rishikesh, which is more convenient. Riding a two-wheeler allows you to avoid traffic jams that are common on this route.
Kedarnath: The ultimate destination of your journey, Kedarnath, is a place of immense spiritual significance. After reaching Rishikesh or Haridwar, you will traverse the entire Lesser Himalayan ranges.
The final leg of the journey requires covering a 16-kilometre trek from Gaurikund, either on foot or using facilities like ponies, palanquins (Palki), or porters (Pitthu). This sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva offers stunning 360-degree views that will leave you mesmerised and instil a sense of calm and joy.
Triyuginarayan: According to legend, the wedding rituals of Lord Shiva and Parvati were performed at this temple, with Lord Vishnu himself officiating as the priest. Locals claim that the sacred fire in the temple has been kept burning for thousands of years. Known for hosting weddings, the temple typically sees 4-5 weddings every day. It is located just 8 kilometres from Sonprayag.
Vishwanath Temple, Guptakashi: According to legends, Lord Shiva settled in the Himalayas to distance himself from the Pandavas and established another Kashi here. This place, secretly established, came to be known as Guptakashi. The Vishwanath Temple and the Shivling here are believed to be thousands of years old. Guptakashi is a beautiful human settlement nestled in the valleys of the Himalayas. You can spend a wonderful time at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple here.
Tungnath: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and the second most significant of the Panch Kedar temples, this is the highest Shiva temple in the world. From Ukhimath, you proceed towards Chamoli-Gopeshwar, where you quickly reach the Chopta Valley.
The valley's beautiful meadows and fragrant hills laden with rhododendron flowers captivate your heart. From Chopta, you can easily trek 4 km to reach Tunganath (3,680 metres) and the Chandrashila summit (4000 metres).
Dhari Devi Temple: Located on the banks of the Alaknanda River between Srinagar and Rudraprayag, the Dhari Devi Temple is a significant site in Uttarakhand. It is believed that this divine power maintains the balance of the Alaknanda, Mandakini, and other tributaries of the Ganges, making life possible in the Himalayas.
Locals attribute the 2013 floods in the Mandakini River to the removal of the Dhari Devi idol from its original place. The temple has since been rebuilt and now stands in the middle of the river.
Rishikesh: Known as the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas, this city is famous as the Yoga Capital of the World. Additionally, Rishikesh is renowned in India for adventure activities. The city boasts several beautiful ghats along the Ganges where you can take a holy dip. Besides visiting Triveni Ghat, Laxman Jhula Bazaar, and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, you can also enjoy river rafting here.
If Travelling from the Kumaon Region:
Ranikhet: This well-planned and beautiful town in Kumaon is known for its military cantonment. The town's layout and maintenance are truly remarkable. Ranikhet has many beautiful resorts where you can savour authentic Pahari cuisine. You can spend the whole day exploring charming spots like the Mankameshwar Temple, Haidakhan Babaji Temple, Kumaon Regimental Museum, and Rani Jheel.
Nainital: This vast lake is the main attraction of Kumaon, drawing crowds of tourists. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 metres and surrounded by hills, it offers a stunning view. The food stalls around the lake and the boating facility make this place even more appealing.
Adibadri: Moving forward from Gairsain towards Simli, you will find the Adibadri Temple on the main road. It is one of the five Badri temples in Uttarakhand and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Adibadri temple complex comprises 16 ancient temples, dating back to the Gupta period (5th to 8th century). The five Badri temples include Badrinath, Vridha Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri, and Dhyan Badri, each located at different sites in Uttarakhand.
Enjoy the Powerful Journey from Rishikesh to Kedarnath
Before the construction of highways, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand was considered extremely risky. However, now you can enjoy driving through the valleys here. As you proceed from Rishikesh, the Ganga River flows alongside you.
At Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Sonprayag, you can witness the confluence of major rivers of Uttarakhand originating from the glaciers of the Himalayas. Continuing the journey to seek the blessings of Baba Kedarnath, while savouring tea, fritters, mountain cucumbers, mountain lemon water, hemp chutney, etc., is an adventure in itself.
Absorb Pure Himalayan Vibes
When you travel through the sacred valleys of the Himalayas, it’s evident that the fresh air and cool mineral-rich water rejuvenate you from within. The cool breeze flowing through the snowy mountains under the bright sunshine helps you fully enjoy the journey. The holy land of Uttarakhand, renowned as the land of gods, not only strengthens you physically but also spiritually.
Witness Magnificent Himalayan Peaks
As you proceed beyond Rudraprayag, you start to see views of the Himalayan peaks, notably Chaukhamba and Meru-Sumeru. Additionally, when you start the Kedarnath trek, you can see the vast Kedar Dome, which becomes prominently visible upon reaching the temple. The grandeur and importance of the Kedarnath Temple are greatly enhanced by the towering Kedarnath mountain standing behind it.
Experience a Blend of Rich Nature and Culture
Compared to other regions of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand offers a magnificent blend of civilization, culture, and traditions. The small villages perched on the high mountains of the Garhwal region give you a sense of a fantasy world. You can see how life here revolves around deities and associated folk tales. Learning about the Garhwali lifestyle and understanding their culture can change your perceptions about life.
Tips to consider when planning trip to Kedarnath Jyotirlinga:
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