Kedarnath - Lord Shiva ’S Abode In Himalaya


Hindus all over the world believe that the abode of Lord Shiva, The Destroyer One of the Holy Trinity, is in the Himalayas, the mightiest mountain of the world. Of the countless Himalayan temples dedicated to lord Shiva, five are most important; they are called PANCHA-KEDAR (five Kedars). Kedarnath is the 1st of these five Kedars (the others being Madamaheswar, Tunganath, Rudranath & Kalpeswar).
Kedarnath is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 11,780 feet in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. A motorable road runs from Haridwar to Gaurikund (altitude about 6000 feet). From Gaurikund a trek of 14 km brings one to Kedarnath. This trekking route goes through the inner Himalayas with its stupendous natural beauties.
Kedarnath is a small hamlet with several small hotels. The star attraction is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the background is the majestic Kedarnath range of mountains, with two very prominent peaks -- the Kedarnath Peak (6940 metres) & the Kedarnath Dome(6831 metres).
The temple remains closed & snow-covered from the month of November to early May, when it re-opens.
A large number of devotees visit this shrine every year.
Tourists from all over the world also come here to enjoy the beauty of the mountains & feel the eternal spititual culture of India.

Places to see

Shankaracharya Samadhi
Located behind the Kedarnath Temple is the Samadhi or the final resting place where the saint gave up his life.

Gaurikund (14 kms.)
The trekking base to Kedarnath. A temple dedicated to Gauri and thermal springs of medicinal value are noteworthy.

Gandhi Sarovar
Gandhi Sarobar is a lake 1 kms from Kedarnath. The lake has crystal clear water with ice floating on its surface. Vasuki Tal is another lake situated at an altitude of 4,150 m, offering an excellent view of the Chaukhamba peaks and other peaks nearby.

The Bhairavnath temple
Situated to the south of the main temple of Kedarnath, is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, the deity who guards the main temple in winter when it is closed. The trekking base to Kedarnath is at a distance of 15 km and is named Gauri Kund, where there is temple dedicated to Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva. One can also find thermal springs of medicinal value here. At the confluence of the Son Ganga and Mandakani rivers is Son Prayag, at a distance of 20 km from Kedarnath. During the winters, the statue is carried to Ukhimath, and is reinstated in Kedarnath in the month of May. The breathtaking view of the Kedardome peak behind the temple is a major attraction.

Main Attraction
Held in the month of June, nothing could be a perfect manifestation of Hindu religion and culture. The Badri Kedar festival is held in the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath in the month of June. The festivities go on for a stretch of eight days. The festival makes an attempt to bring under one platform, the greatest artists of the country.

Best Season
It is very cold in the winters with the ground being covered with snow. During the winters, the shrine is submerged in snow and hence is closed. The temple opens the first week of May and closes either the last week of October. May-June is the busiest time of the year. Worship of Sri Kedarnath is continued at Okhimath in the winter by the priest from the Kardarnath Temple.

How to reach

By Air
Jolly grant (Dehradun)-239 km away from Kedarnath of which 225 km is by road and rest 14 km is on foot.

By Train
Railhead at Rishikesh, 221 km away of which 207 km is by road and the rest 14 km is on foot. Railhead at Kotdwara, 250 km away, of which 236 km is by road and rest 14 km is on foot.

By Road
Kedarnath is approachable on footfrom Gaurikund, which is connected by road with Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills. Bus This service is available at Rishikesh, Haridwar and Kotdwara for Gaurikund. During Yatra season, some special Yatra services are also arranged to Gaurikund.

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