My trip to kedarnath was a long time coming. For some reason I kept delaying this kedarnath trip but then one day I was done with the mediocre life. I packed a few of my clothes and left for the mountain; it happened naturally. And called it a soul-searching journey. I would be lying, if i say my trip to kedarnath did not change me in person. Now when I look back, I believe it's one of the finest decisions I made in life.
I may not be able to cover all my moments in this blog but this blog surely stores all of my life-changing experiences. Experiences worth taking risks for Kedarnath tour package.
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- Kedarnath: A Journey Through Time
- Kedarnath Open for Visitors: Get the Inside Scoop
- What Are the Best Ways to Reach Kedarnath?
- Traveling to Kedarnath Dham
- Packing for the Journey: Tips for a Stress-Free Experience
Kedarnath: A Journey Through Time
Among the char dhams of the north - Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri is Kedarnath. It's considered one of the highest and sacred of the 12 jyotirlingas in india. They say, it takes sheer patience and dedication to complete the trek in order to reach and upon my visit I can confirm the said fact to be true.
But upon my visit to kedarnath, I learnt that the kedarnath dates back to the time of Mahabharata. It all started with pandavas; right after the war the pandavas along with draupadi were searching for atonement from the Lord Shiva in the majestic mountains. They saw Lord Shiva exactly where the present-day Kedarnath temple stands.
Lord Shiva was not ready to let go of their sins. He dressed as a bull and buried himself in order to prevent his identity from being discovered. It was not yet time for Lord Shiva to pardon them. In order to avoid being recognized, he dressed as a bull and buried himself in the earth. He was recognized by the Pandavas, nevertheless, and Bhima pulled at his tail and rear legs. In five locations—the hump at Kedarnath, the arms at Tungnath, the belly at Madhyamaheshwar, the
face at Rudranath, and the head at Kalpeshwar—Lord Shiva reappeared from a deeper grave. All of these form the Panch Kedar.
At the end, the Pandavas constructed temples at each of these five locations, which relieved them of their crimes.
And so the devotees from around the globe make a trip to this holy place in order to offer prayers and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Kedarnath Open for Visitors: Get the Inside Scoop
Because Kedarnath is based on the Hindu calendar, its opening and closing dates change annually. Currently, the temple is open from April to May on the first day of Vaishakh and closes on the first day of Karthik, which falls between October and November.
The temple is no longer reachable when the winter wind starts blowing. The landscape and the temple get enveloped in thick layers of snow and enter a state of dormancy throughout the winter season.
The temple is open during the day from 4 a.m in the morning to 3 p.m in the afternoon. It closes for lunch, then opens again at 5 p.m. and stays open until 9 p.m. The puja in the morning is held between 4:00.
What Are the Best Ways to Reach Kedarnath?
Guptkashi! Travelers have to travel all the way to Guptkashi and then you will be able to come across several transportation options which will lead you to the Kedarnath Temple.
Reaching Guptkashi
Guptkashi does not have an airport or a railway station. Thus, traveling by road is the only option. The nearest railway station is Yog Nagri Station in Rishikesh, while the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Haridwar is an excellent substitute for Rishikesh if you are unable to locate a direct train there.
It is incredibly easy to reserve a car for yourself if you are traveling with a group. You may reserve a 4-seater or a 17-seater automobile or tempo traveler, depending on how many people are traveling. If you would prefer to travel by public transportation, you can take a bus from Rishikesh from the local bus stop. Daily buses depart from 6 am to 10 pm and travel to most locations in Uttarakhand, including Guptakashi and all the way to Gaurikund. A number of tour operators operate transportation services on this route, and you can easily find them online. Make sure your negotiated cost includes the driver's cost, parking, and toll charges.
Upon reaching Guptkashi, take a short break - I took the much needed break prior to the trek - and then head for your next stop. You can reach Kedarnath from Guptkashi in the following ways:
By trek:
Traveling this way to Kedarnath is the most natural option. The ultimate goal of a pilgrimage is often achieved through a difficult journey. You may locate a man-made route that leads from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, the starting point of the journey. From Sonaprayag or Guptkashi, you can take a shared local jeep to Gaurikund. Around 18 kilometers of foot route go to the top.
Pilgrims now find a safer and more convenient route, having been restored to its prior-2013 flood state. The path you would take would be as follows:
1. Start at Gaurikund (a shared taxi from Sonaprayag)
2. Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti (6km)
3. Jungle Chatti to Bheem Bali (4km)
4. Bheem Bali to Linchauli (3km)
5. Linchauli to Kedarnath Base Camp (4km)
6. Kedarnath Base Camp to Kedarnath Temple (1km)
It's regarded as a challenging trek. even for individuals who are accustomed to exercising. As you increase in altitude, things get more difficult. If you go during the monsoon season, the rain might put an end to any climbing activity. Many pilgrims find out that they have to turn around midway through. If you have to wait until the next day, make sure you have one or two extra days.
Along the journey, there are several eateries, tea shops, and guest rooms. There are sections with nothing but wilderness, yet there is also medical immediate help accessible. Only between the hours of 4 am and 1.30 pm are pilgrims permitted to begin their journey. Therefore, you must begin very early.
By Palkis Or Ponies
This is only a second option to the one mentioned above. You can choose to take a pony if you are still interested in making the trek but aren't sure whether you'll have the time or the physical stamina. You can hire a pony at the Gaurikund booking office and ride it to the camps along the route or all the way to Kedarnath.
Not everyone has access to palkis, which are carried by four men. Palkis is only an option for little children and the elderly. If you are able to walk, you should consider what you can do. Pithu is a third possibility. It alludes to the men from the area who are seen riding about with a big basket on their backs.
As they ascend, they bear you on their back. And even if it seems harsh, it may not be the best decision for many, but it's a desperate one with no other options. Make sure to give them a generous tip.
By Helicopter
Taking the helicopter is the best alternative if you are certain that the trek is not for you. Numerous private organizations in the region have begun to operate in recent years. To reserve a helicopter from a base in Guptkashi to the helipad in Kedarnath, you can choose any of them.
Arrive early to your helipad and check in at the desk. After registering, it can take up to two or three hours for your turn. When you return from Kedarnath, you will also need to follow the same procedure. Thus, if you want to go back the same day, reserve a time slot in advance with the base.
Traveling to Kedarnath Dham
Reaching the top
You have to get off as early in the morning as possible if you are trekking to Kedarnath. In order to have enough time to easily reach the peak by the afternoon, try to be at the trailhead by 6 am. If you don't want to spend the night traveling, try not to start after 8 am. It's best to avoid being on the route after dark.
At Kedarnath
Once you get to Kedarnath, you can go to the main shrine by following the signs posted there. You may hire a pithu at the top if you are too old or physically unfit to travel this distance on your own. For some people, even a small oxygen deficit may result in discomfort.
As soon as you arrive at the shrine, try to get in line. It might take several hours to get your turn for the darshan at the shrine because there is barely any authority over the crowd. A few pilgrims leave without getting the darshan in order to get the last helicopter flight back before it shuts.
During the day, the shrine experiences its busiest hour. Try spending the night there if you want to ensure darshan. After 5 pm, when the helicopter services end for the day, the traffic lessens. Witnessing the aarti late at night or early the following morning is an equally amazing experience.
Take some comfort in the stunning views even if you do miss the main darshan. Adi Shankaracharya's statue is located behind the main temple. It is thought that he is still alive in spirit and that is where he himself got samadhi. Not to be missed is the generous Bheemshila, the large boulder that emerged during the 2013 floods and prevented harm to the temple. It is regarded as a sacred miracle.
Returning from the top
Again, try to get going as soon as you can if you are coming down from the top. It will take you somewhat less time to descend, but the route back is almost as difficult and lengthy. Do not travel after dark, please.
Packing for the Journey: Tips for a Stress-Free Experience
Although my trip to kedarnath was impromptu; i did learn from my experience. A hassle-free trip to nowhere needs a smart packing and i have got you covered:
- Don't travel light while packing for this trip. Bring out your big-guns and prepare for the worst. Even though the weather varies, Kedarnath's mountaintop is often bitterly chilly. Bring clothing appropriate for extremely low temperatures, unless you are traveling in July or August, when the temperature may be a little lower.
- After dark, the temperature decreases dramatically. Therefore, in case of any unexpected events, pack in case you have to spend the night in Kedarnath Camp. If you want to walk, pack in layers so you can easily remove your coats as the weather warms up in the middle of the day.
- You should bring a change of clothes in addition to a sturdy rain jacket during the rainy season as you don't want to get soaked in the cold. Bring thick socks and warm shoes.
- Food and basic facilities should be available at the top, but there won't be a store, regular supplies, or even money along the route. Thus, carry cash.
Conclusion
I believe that this comprehensive kedarnath travel guide answers your queries and serves as a valuable resource for planning your pilgrimage to the holy site of lord shiva. doesn't matter if you traveled to kedarnath for a fresh restart or to witness the power of the almighty or simply for pleasant, aesthetic views; kedarnath crates to everyone. It's simply magnificent and drop-dead gorgeous. The kedarnath shrine top, the sacred rivers, picturesque quaint villages and every teeny-tiny detail of kedarnath is a sight to behold!
