Kedarnath is possibly the most famous and well-traveled Dham in the Chaar Dham yatra. According to old legends, Kedarnath is the place where Lord Shiva granted the Pandavas redemption after many prayers and requests, upon the end of the Kurukshetra war. “Kedar” is one of the many other alternative names for Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is also the abode of the northernmost Jyotirlinga. The Kedarnath shrine boasts the entire robust Kedarnath mountain range in the background and is situated at one of the most majestic locations possible. The Weather in Kedarnath is usually cold. The summers are rainier than the winters. The average temperature in Kedarnath is 2.4 degrees Celsius (36.4 degrees Fahrenheit). The winters in Kedarnath start in November and stay till April. The winters are so cold here as the place gets heavy snowfall because of this the roads get blocked. So the Kedarnath Temple remains closed during the Winter.
Kedarnath is thousands of years old, a very ancient temple which is located in the Rudra Himalayan Range. The temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya. The inner walls of the temple are covered with figures of various mythology. According to the legends, the Pandavas seek the blessings of Lord Shiva to wash away their sins after the battle of Mahabharata. There is a statue of Nandi Bull outside the temple that is known as the guard for the temple.
Kedarnath is one of the most sacred and holiest places in India. Kedarnath is the most important Dham in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is surrounded by mountain peaks which makes this place so beautiful. Kedarnath stands for the power of Lord Shiva. The surroundings of the temple look like heaven. The Shiva Temple is a major attraction here. The natural beauty and the religious vibe here attract a number of tourists. The Kedarnath temple remains open from the end of April to the beginning of November.
THE KEDARNATH TEMPLE
Every year thousands of people visit Kedarnath Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and have a spiritual experience. This is the best place for adventure seekers and religious people along with some mesmerizing views.
KEDARNATH TEMPLE HISTORY
According to the beliefs, the Pandavas constructed the Kedarnath temple which was reconstructed by Adi Shankara in the 8th AD. The Kedarnath temple is more than 1000 years old. The Kedarnath temple was under the snow for 400 years according to geologists.
KEDARNATH TEMPLE FROM INSIDE
The hall in the front of the temple has images of Parvati and the Pandavas. The hall at the entrance has statues of many gods and goddesses from Hindu Mythology including Lord Krishna, Pnadavs, Draupadi, Nandi, and many others. The big statue of Nandi guards the temple from the outside. There is a rock structure inside the temple that is worshipped as the form of Lord Shiva.
LOCATION OVERVIEW
Kedarnath is located in the state of Uttarakhand at the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini Temple. This place is close to the holy Mandakini River. This temple opens up during the eve of Akshaya Tritiya and closes during the holy day of Kartik Purnima. This place is located 11,755 feet above sea level. This place cannot be fully accessible by road and it can be covered through the 18 km trek starting from Gaurikund. There are options of Ponies and Palkis available for making your journey more comfortable.
DO’S AND DON'TS
Do’s
-Remove shoes while visiting the Hindu Temple.
-Eat only what is cooked there at a high altitude
-Carry enough woolen clothes. Also, carry raincoats and an umbrella along with warm clothes.
-To avoid hill sickness and cold, cover your head with warm caps or any warm cloth.
-Carry water bottles along with a few snacks like biscuits, chips, and other items according to your preference.
-Avoid trekking on the valley side as the pony (horse) coming from an opposite direction can push you down to the valley. Trek only on the hillside.
-Make sure to hire registered pony walls.
-Take care of your luggage and keep your things with you.
-Maintain discipline, Trek in slow steps, and move steadily.
-Follow the instructions of the leader.
-Carry your own personal and medical kit.
Don’ts
-Don’t throw any wrappers on the road while trekking. Make sure to throw it in the dustbin, if you can’t find any dustbin keep it in your pockets. Don’t make the road dirty.
-Don’t use the warning signs as places for relaxation.
-Don’t break the discipline and traffic regulations.
-Avoid heavy jewelry during the journey.
-Don’t wash anything on the rivers on the way. Keep the rivers clean.
-Non-veg and alcohol are strictly not allowed in these holy places.
-Never overtake any vehicle.
-Never drive an overloaded vehicle.
-Don’t compete with the local drivers as they know the area very well.
-Avoid taking pictures if the camera is not allowed at any place.
HOW TO REACH KEDARNATH
From Delhi: The distance from Delhi to Kedarnath is 452 km. You can reach Kedarnath directly by car on the road trip. After landing in New Delhi, the best way is to take a bus to reach Dehradun which is about 260 km from the Indian capital. The two main bus stands are Kashmere Gate Bus Terminal and Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in Delhi which runs regular bus services to Dehradun. After reaching Dehradun, take a bus to Kedarnath. Another option is to take a bus to Haridwar from Delhi as there are regular buses leaving there every hour.
BY AIR: The Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport which is only 250kms away from Kedarnath and does not have its own airport. There are plenty of flights from the major cities. After reaching Dehradun, you can take a direct bus or book a cab to reach Kedarnath.
BY ROAD: Kedarnath is directly connected to the road by Delhi and there are plenty of buses from Dehradun. Also, you can take a bus from Haridwar. The buses usually take 5 hours as the distance between Kedarnath and Haridwar is 125 km.
You can also hire or book a cab directly from Dehradun if you want to enjoy the road trip.
BY TRAIN: Kedarnath does not have any Railway Station. Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station to Kedarnath which is well-connected to all the major cities. The Rishikesh railway station is 210 km from Gaurikund and it has regular trains on a daily basis. You can take a bus from Rishikesh railway station to reach Gaurikund, which is 9.9 km from Kedarnath.
HOW TO REACH KEDARNATH BY TREK
The trek to Kedarnath begins from the Gaurikund. The total trek distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 18 km. After the 2013 disaster, the trek has completely changed. The 14kms trek has been changed to 16 km after that. The trek to Kedarnath required good physical fitness. People going on the trek have to be checked before whether they are capable of trekking or not. You are not allowed to trek anytime because the Kedarnath is located at the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Therefore, the trek timings are 4:00 am to 1:30 pm. This is a high-altitude trek so people with breathing difficulties should consult a doctor first before going for the trek.
THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE THE TREK
-Get a check-up before going for the trek.
-People with respiratory problems should avoid trekking to Kedarnath.
-You can also travel through ponies and palki. Make sure to book them before.
-Trek according to the trekking time allowed is 4:00 am to 1:30 pm.
-If you are not able to complete the trek till late evening, take a palki or pony.
-Also, you can stay in the camps in between and start your journey again the next morning.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KEDARNATH
The best time to visit Kedarnath is May-June and September-October because the temperature is moderate during these months which is suitable for the Kedarnath yatra. However, it is advisable to avoid winters and the monsoon season because of the path connected to the Temple during monsoon season as landslides and floods are very frequent during this time of the year.
PLACES TO SEE IN KEDARNATH
There are so many places to explore in Kedarnath which will add an extra element to your trip and make your trip memorable.
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GANDHI SAROVAR
Gandhi Sarovar is a small lake with crystal clear water. This is a treat for all travelers as it gives beautiful views of the Himalayan Peaks. The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 14Kms. The 3Kms trek from the iron bridge of Kedarnath finishes at the Gandhi Sarovar, which gives the most breathtaking views of waterfalls and oak and deodar forest.
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PHATA
This is a small village located on the route to Kedarnath. Phata is popular for its Helipad which is used by tourists in their Kedarnath Yatra. Phata to Kedarnath is an 8-minute journey from Helicopter. Many tourists make Phata a one-night stop on their Kedarnath journey for some refreshment and relaxation.
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SONPRAYAG
‘Prayag’ means confluence and Sonprayag lies on the confluence of two rivers Basuki and Mandakini. Sonprayag offers the most beautiful greenery views and snow-covered mountains which makes this place a must to visit.
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GAURIKUND
Gaurikund is the meeting point of a trek of 16Kms to the Kedarnath shrine. A temple named Gauri is also situated here as the Gaurikund is named after the Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. This place is famous for its greenery and the Vasuki Ganga flowing from below.
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Kedarnath Temple
The most important and must-visit place on your Kedarnath trip is the Kedarnath Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is most important among the Panch Kedars.
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VASUKI TAL LAKE
The Vasuki Tal Lake is located at an altitude of 14,200 feet above sea level and it is a high glacial lake. According to the Beliefs, Lord Vishnu has bathed in this lake, which makes this place even more popular for spiritual beliefs. Also, the Vasuli Tal trails are perfect for Trekking.
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BHAIRAV TEMPLE
Bhairav temple is located on south of the Kedarnath Temple. This temple is described as the protector of the Kedarnath temple and the Kedarnath Valley. The tourists who visit this Kedarnath temple offer their prayers to the Bhairav temple too. Also, this place offers some breathtaking views of the Kedar Valley and the Himalayas.
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RUDRA CAVE KEDARNATH
This place is located one and a half kilometers from the Kedarnath Temple. This is an underground cave made for meditation. This place offers a peaceful and spiritual experience along with the holy site of Kedarnath.
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TRIYUGINARAYAN TEMPLE
This is the village where the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place in front of Lord Vishnu, Therefore the Triyuginarayan temple was built in honor of Lord Vishnu. This temple is the major attraction of this place. This place offers mesmerizing views of the snow-covered mountains.
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SHANKARACHARYA SAMADHI
Adi Shankaracharya was a philosopher who gave so many things to Hinduism, through his teachings and beliefs. He decided to take Moksha at the age of 32 at Kedarnath mixed under the land near the Kedarnath Temple. That's why this place is a must to visit to complete the spiritual journey of Kedarnath.
