Kedarnath

Kedarnath is one of the holiest pilgrimage centers visited by Hindu devotees from for all over the world. It has an enthralling beauty with the surrounding lofty, snow-capped mountains and the towering Kedarnath peak that can be seen from long distances.

Kedarnath got its name from King Kedar, the pious king who ruled the seven continents in “Satya Yuga”. Located in the State of Uttarakhand, India, at an altitude of 3584 mts above the sea level, it happens to be the remotest of the “Char Dhams”. It is from where the river Mandakini originates and mingles with Alakananda at Rudraprayag.

Legend

According to legend, Nara and Narayana, the two incarnations of Vishnu performed penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand in front of a Shivalingam made of earth. Lord Shiva was satisfied with their devotion and wished to grant them a boon. Nar and Narayan requested Shiva to make Kedarnath his permanent abode as a Jyotirlingam to enable people to get rid of their miseries by worshipping him. The Lord granted them the boon.

Kedarnath occupies a special place in the hearts of the devotees because great mythological figures in both Satya Yuga and Dwapar Yuga offered prayer to Lord Shiva in this place.

May and June is the ideal time for visiting Kedarnath. Kedarnath Temple opens on the day of “Akshaya Tritiya” in April-May and closes on “Bhai Doos” in October- November.

How to go

Tourists have to go to Gaurikund by bus from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehra Dun and other important hill stations in Uttarakhand. The early morning buses reach Gaurikund in the early evening. Those going by a later bus have to halt for the night at a suitable place.

From Gaurikund, it is a steep 14 km trek to get to Kedarnath. Horses and palanquins are available for rent. Pawan Hans Helicopter Service has been introduced from Agastyamuni and Phata to Kedarnath. The journey along the river Mandakini is particularly tiresome. It is advisable to stay the night at Kedarnath, as it is difficult to go up and come down on the same day.

Some visitors stop for the night halfway up at Rambara, which has several simple eating places and some basic rest houses.

Places to visit

Kedarnath Temple

It is believed that the original temple was constructed by the Pandavas. Later, in the 8th century, Sankaracharya reconstructed the present temple.

A three-faced linga, resembling the hump of a bull, is placed inside the temple. Lord Shiva took the form of a bull to hide himself from the Pandavas. There is no bar to the pilgrims touching, worshipping and massaging the linga with ghee. The images of Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, Lord Krishna, the five Pandavas, Draupadi and Kunti are placed at different positions.

The story associated with the temple is that after the great battle of “Kurukshetra”, the five Pandavas were laden with a feeling of guilt. They felt that they had committed a grave sin by killing the kith and kin and went to Kashi to get Lord Shiva’s blessings to get rid of the sin. Before they reached Kashi, Lord Shiva had gone into hiding, moved to Uttarakhand and lived in disguise. When the Pandavas finally found Him after a prolonged search, he took the form of a bull to conceal his real identity. However, when recognized by Bhima, Lord Shiva appeared before them to express his satisfaction at the Pandava’s devotion. He wished that the hump of the bull be worshipped by the Pandavas. The Pandavas constructed a temple and worshipped Lord Shiva.

There is a tradition that before visiting Kedarnath, devotees visit Gangotri and Yamunotri to bring holy water to perform “abhishekam” of Kedareshwara.

Mahapanth Trail

It is located behind the Kedarnath Temple. Mahapanth Trail is the starting point of a path that leads to “Swargarohini” or the path to Heaven. According to the folklore, the Pandavas performed a great “Yagna” and ascended Heaven along this path.

Bhairav Temple

This temple is located to the right of Kedarnath Temple. When Shiva was in fury, his form was called Bhairava. It takes 20 minutes to walk from Kedarnath Temple to Bhairav Temple.

Chorabari Tal Lake

It is a green lake next to a glacier about 4 kms away from Kedarnath Temple. Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were sprinkled on this lake, which is why the lake is also called Gandhi Sarovar. The origin of the river Mandakini is about a kilometer away from the lake.

Vasuki Tal

It is located at 4135 mts above sea level. Surrounded by mountains, tourists get a spell-binding view of the Chaukhamba peaks. It is a favourite spot of the trekkers.

Sonprayag

It is the confluence of the rivers Son Ganga and Mandakini.

Triyuginarayan

According to mythical belief, the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati was solemnized here. The flame of their marriage “Yagna” is burning till date.

Gupt Kashi

The temples of Ardhnariswar and Viswanath are visited by a large number of devotees every year.

Ukhimath

During winter, when Kedarnath Temple remains closed, the worship of Kedareswara takes place at Ukhimath.

Where to stay

The Nigam Tourist bungalow is a good place to stay in but booking should be done in advance. Kedarnath has a number of “dharmashalas”, guest houses, “Ashrams”, nameless private lodges. Room rent ranges between Rs. 200 and 600 a night.

Basic resting places are also available to stay at Rambara, where many visitors halt for night on their way to Kedarnath.

Older, physically weaker visitors stop for the night at Rambara. Eating places and basic rest houses are available at Rambara.

Gaurikund

Gaurikund is located 210 kms from Rishikesh and 334 kms from Gangotri. It is believed to be the birthplace of Parvati, also named Gauri, who undertook austerities for hundreds of year to achieve her goal of marrying Shiva. It is 210 km from Rishikesh and 334 km from Gangotri.

The ancient Gauri Devi Temple, dedicated to Gauri or Parvati, is visited by thousands of devotees. Metallic images of Parvati and Shiva are placed inside the temple.

There is a hot spring where devotees take holy bath after undertaking a strenuous trek to Kedarnath on their way back. They visit the Gauri Devi Temple located next to the spring.

Sirkata Ganesh Temple

This temple is located half a km from Gaurikund. According to mythology, Ganesh, the son of Parvati, was guarding his mother when she was bathing in Gaurikunda. His father, Shiva, came to the place and Ganesh stopped him from going farther. Shiva could not recognize his son and got angry at his behaviour. He cut off the head of Ganesh. After finishing her bath, Parvati came to the spot and found her beloved son beheaded by his own father. She prayed to Shiva to bring Ganesh back alive. Shiva fulfilled Parvati’s desire by putting the head of an elephant on beheaded Ganesh and giving him a rebirth.

Where to stay at Gaurikunda

Many expensive private guest houses are available in Gaurikund but most of them are shabby.

Ashrams and guesthouses managed by religious trusts provide staying facility at reasonable prices. There are a few well-maintained private hotels by the side of the river Mandakini. However, the best place to stay in is GMVN Tourist Centre where booking should be done in advance at its office in Rishikesh. It provides both double room accommodation and dormitory. Tourist can relish good vegetarian foods at some well-managed restaurants.