India is a famous tourist destination for millions due to the variety that this land can offer. From snow-peaked mountains to rivers, deserts, and beautiful beaches- the country has everything that a travel list should consist of. India is also a popular religious site, Kedarnath being one of the most attractive ones.
About Kedarnath
Kedarnath is located in Uttarakhand near the river Mandakini at 3,500mts above sea level. The temple submerges under snow during the winters. At other times of the year, pleasant weather characterizes this holy place.
केदारनाथ एक प्रमुख धार्मिक स्थल है जो उत्तराखंड राज्य के गर्हवाल हिमालय में स्थित है। यह हिंदू धर्म में महत्वपूर्ण माना जाता है क्योंकि यह श्री शिव के पवित्र मंदिर का स्थान है। केदारनाथ मंदिर को पंच केदारों में से एक माना जाता है, जिसमें भगवान शिव की पूजा की जाती है।
यह मंदिर गहरी हिमालयी श्रृंग में स्थित है और उसके आस-पास एक प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य से युक्त पर्वतीय परिदृश्य मिलते हैं। केदारनाथ मंदिर का निर्माण गहरे धरातल पर स्थित एक बड़े पत्थर के बने मंदिर में हुआ है। यह मंदिर गौरीकुंड के निकट स्थित है, जो प्रशांत गंगा की एक उपनदी है।
केदारनाथ हिमालय की गोद में स्थित एक महत्वपूर्ण धाम है जो उत्तराखंड राज्य में स्थित है। यह चार धामों में से एक है और यहां हिन्दू धर्म में महत्वपूर्ण शिव मंदिर स्थित है।
- केदारनाथ मंदिर को बड़ी ऊँचाई पर स्थापित किया गया है, यहां तक पहुंचने के लिए चार दिन की ट्रेकिंग की जानी पड़ती है।
- यह मंदिर गर्भगृह में विशेष रूप से शिवलिंग को समर्पित है, जिसे वास्तविक शिव प्रतिमा माना जाता है।
- केदारनाथ ब्रजमाता, उत्तराखंड में स्थित चार धामों में सबसे ऊँचा स्थान है।
- यहां का मंदिर अर्चिटेक्चरली सुंदर है और उत्कृष्ट कार्यक्षेत्र के रूप में मान्यता प्राप्त है।
- केदारनाथ के आसपास आप प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य का आनंद ले सकते हैं, जैसे कि शिवलिंग घटना, वासुकी ताल, त्रिपुंठ पट्टी और चंद्रशिला पर्वत।
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Kedarnath Tourism
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Kedarnath is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in North India. This holy pilgrimage attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The infamous Kedarnath temple flood that occurred in 2013 had damaged the earlier trek route from Rambara. This was a well-being trek route with proper facilities. But following the disaster, the government had to shift the trek route to Gaurikund.
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Apart from the religious significance, a trip to Kedarnath offers tourists other experiences too. The trek to the temple has a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks that remains covered under thick layers of snow. Some adventurous activities in Kedarnath that can give you a thrilling experience include rock climbing, snow trekking and skiing, and rope ladder.
Kedarnath Temple
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The Kedarnath temple houses a huge shrine of Lord Shiva that is made of grey stone. A conical rock is considered the primary idol of the Lord and is placed in what is called a Garbha Griha. A grand statue of Nandi Bull is built opposite the temple’s entrance. Near the shrine is a Mandapa section where the idols of Pandavas, Draupadi, and Lord Krishna are placed. An idol of Shiva is shifted to the Omkareshwar temple of Ukhimath on the 1st day of Karthik. The idol is returned to the main temple at the start of the Vaishakh month.
A visit to the temple involves a journey across steep paths that are surrounded by beautiful rhododendron forests and snow-capped mountains. Though the temple has witnessed various natural calamities, it remains unaffected and still operational.
History of the Temple
According to the Kedarnath temple history, the Pandavas had built the temple to honor Lord Shiva. Adi Shankaracharya had rebuilt the temple in the 8th AD, and the temple has continued to serve as a sacred place for the worship of Shiva.
Kedarnath Dham
The Kedarnath darshan involves a tour of the temple as well as the Char Dhams, all of which are located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal division. Gaurikund is the starting point of the journey towards the Kedarnath temple. This place is regarded as the meditation land of Goddess Parvati before she married Shiva.
Kedarnath Timings of the Kedarnath Temple
Tourists can visit the Kedarnath temple only between April and November due to the extreme. In 2022, the Kedarnath temple will open at 5 am on 17 May. The temple timings have been announced by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Samiti to observe the Mahashivratri, Kedarnath Dham, and Gangotri Yamunotri Dham. The temple opening timing will be 7 in the morning. It will continue to be open until lunchtime, after which the temple gates will close. Visitors can again enter the temple from 5 pm to participate in the evening aarti that starts around 6 pm. Once the Aarti is over, the temple will finally close for the day.
Kedarnath Travel Guide – Fooding and Lodging
There are several dharmshalas and budget-friendly hotels in Kedarnath where you can get accommodation. Rooms must be booked in advance if you are visiting the place during the peak seasons of April to July. However, for a visit in September and onwards, you can easily get rooms for as low as Rs 600 per night.
As the place strictly follows a vegetarian diet, meat-eaters will have to manage with the all-veggie cuisines. Along the trek to Kedarnath, there are some dhabas and local restaurants that serve food from 4 am.
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Kedarnath Trek Guide
The trek to Kedarnath is a journey of 16km that begins from Gaurikund. You can hire a shared cab from Sonprayag and cover a distance of 6km to reach Gaurikund. From Gaurikund the trek will take you to Jungle Chatti, a distance of 6km, via the Rambara Bridge. This route is only open between 4 am and 1.30 pm. The next point is Bheembali at 4km, then Linchauli at 3km, and then the Kedarnath Base Camp at 4km. The temple is 1km away from the base camp.
Checkpoints for Trekking
● Get a medical checkup done before embarking on the journey
● Avoid trekking if you have high blood pressure or respiratory disorders
● Carry the essential trek gears, along with a sufficient supply of water
● Begin your trek from Gaurikund between 4 am and 1.30 pm as that is the specified time
● To avail of palkis, Kandis, or ponies on the trek route, pre-booking at Gaurikund or Sonprayag is a must
● Kedarnath temperature is very harsh with heavy rainfall and sub-zero temperatures. The ideal time to plan your trek is between May and June or September and October
Must Know – Kedarkantha Trek 2021: A Detailed Guide to All You Should Know!
How to Reach Kedarnath?
You can plan your journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath on roads. You can take a bus or shared taxi directly from Rishikesh to Guptkashi. Alternately, you can reach Rudraprayag from Rishikesh and then reach Guptkashi. Take a shared cab or bus to reach Sonprayag. You can either spend a night at Sonprayag and then head towards Gaurikund, or stay overnight at Gaurikund before you begin the trek to Kedarnath.
In case your route involves traveling from Dehradun to Kedarnath, you have the option of trains that runs between Dehradun and Delhi. You can also avail yourself of the air route by reaching Kedarnath’s nearest airport, the Jolly Grant airport.
Thus, a visit to Kedarnath is an adventurous journey across a thrilling trek route. The stunning view that accompanies the trek route amplifies the experience of the pilgrims. But remember to follow the checkpoints related to trekking to avoid unwanted issues. Also, ensure that you are visiting the place when the temple gates are planned to remain open.
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