Travel Sites in
Uttar Pradesh
&
Uttaranchal

Lucknow
Taj Mahal
Varanasi
Allahabad
Chardham
Gangotri
Yamunotri
Kedarnath
Badrinath
Rishikesh
Hardwar
Corbett Park
Rajaji Park
Kumaon
Mussoorie
Dehra Dun
Nainital

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KEDARNATH

      A 14 km trek from Gaurikund, Kedarnath shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in the country. Kedar is another name for Lord Shiva. Mythology says the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva's blessings for redemption from the sin of killing of Kauravas. But the Lord eluded them by taking the form of a bull in Kedarnath and when followed further by the Pandavas, he went down into the earth, shedding the hump there. Other parts emerged at four other places: arms at Tungnath, face at Rudranath, belly at Madmaheswar and the locks of hair with head at Kalpeshwar. All the four shrines are worshiped as Panch Kedar. The old temple seen here is said to have been built by the Pandavas The new temple standing beside was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD. It has large, neatly cut stones. The samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya is just behind the Kedarnath temple.

 

Kedarnath Temple

How to Reach: Jolly Grant is the nearest airport, 239 km from Kedarnath. The nearest rail head is in Rishikesh, 221 km from Kedarnath. Kotdwara is another rail station, 236 km away. The nearest bus station is in Gaurikund. From Gaurikund to Kedarnath, a distance of 14 km one has to trek. Ponies, horses and dandies are also available. Gaurikund is connected to Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehra Dun and other towns by bus.

Altitude: 3,581 mts.

Climate: May to October: average maximum temperature is 15 deg. C and average minimum temperature is 8 deg. C. At other times the mercury touches zero. Rainfall is 1475 mm. The best season to visit Kedarnath is May to October.

Clothing: May - heavy woollens, June to September - light woollens, October to November - heavy woollens.

Languages: Hindi, Garhwali and English; Accommodation: Plenty of lodges available.

EXCURSIONS

Vasuki Tal is situated at a height of 4,150 mts. The lake is in the midst of high-rising mountains.Sonprayag is at the confluence of sone Ganga and Mandakini rivers. From here the road takes one to Triyuginarayan. The wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvathi was solemnized here. It is said the flame at the temple was witness to the wedding. The distance from Sonprayag is 12 km, by vehicle.Guptkashi on Kedarnath route has Ardhanariswar and Vishwanath temples. Down Guptkashi, a little away from the main route is Ukhimath, on Chamoli road. Ukhimath is the winter home of the deity of Kedarnath temple. On way to Kedarnath, Agastyamuni comes immediately after Rudraprayag. The temple of sage Agastya muni is here. Twenty-five km from Guptkashi is Madmaheshwar, one of the Panch Kedars. The road is motorable only up to Kalimath. The site is at a height of 3,289 mts. At Kalimath temple there is Har Gauri statue. Trekking from here one comes to the confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Markanda Ganga. At Madmaheshwar, Lord Shiva's belly is worshiped.Tungnath represents the arms of Lord Shiva. It is at an altitude of 3,680 mts. It is easy to reach there from Chopta on Ukhimath-Chamoli road. The road is motorable. The face of lord Shiva is worshiped at Rudranath temple. It is at an altitude of 2,286mts. It is 23 km from Gopeshwar out of which only first 5 km is motorable. Peaks like Nanda Devi can be sighted from here. Rudranath has holy places like Suryakund, Chandrakund, Tarakund etc. A little diversion from near Kedar is Anusuya Devi temple. At Kalpeshwar lies the locks of Lord Shiva. It is at an altitude of 2,134 mts, in Urgam Valley. The temple is 10 km trek from Rudranath on way to Helong a point on Rishikesh-Badrinath route.