Of all the chardham pilgrimage
sites, Kedarnath has the remotest location, a 2-day journey from Gangotri in
Uttarakhand. The sanctity of the site also lies in the fact that it is one of
the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, a powerful deity of the Hindu Trinity.
The temple town of Kedarnath is snuggled up at an altitude of 3,584 meter above
sea level. Picturesque mountain ranges and snow-laden peaks wonderfully circle
the pilgrimage town of Kedarnath. The shrine of Kedarnath is at the source of
the Mandakini River, near the Indo-Chinese border. The ideal time to visit
Kedarnath is anytime between the months of May and October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude: 3,584 mts
Climate: Summer: Cool during the day and cold at
night.
Winter: Snow-bound touching sub-zero.
Clothing: Summer-Light woollens, Winter- Heavy
woollens.
Languages: Hindi, Garhwali, English.
HOW TO REACH US
Air: Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant, 251 kms
Dehradun.
Rail: Nearest railhead is Rishikesh 234 kms,
Haridwar 254 kms.
Road: Road Approachable on foot form Gaurikund,
which is connected by stations of Garhwal and Kumaon region. Kedarnath is near
to Rishikesh 234 kms. and Dehradun 250 kms.
POPULAR PLACE
Panch (Five) Kedar |
|
There are Five Kedars in all including Kedarnath. The origin of the Panch Kedars
has an interesting legend associated with it. Hindu mythology states that when
the Pandavas wanted to perform penance in the wake of the great battle of
Mahabharat, they came here looking for Lord Shiva. Seeing that Shiva has taken
up the form of bull, Bhim followed Shiva but all he could get hold of was his
tail. Shiva emerged, with the remaining parts of his body, at the four other
kedars. |
|
Kedarnath |
|
It is the first of all the Kedars. It was at Kedarnath that Bhim, the most
powerful of all the Panadava brothers, grabbed hold of Shiva's tail, after the
latter transformed himself into a bull, known as Nandi in the Hindu mythology.
|
|
Madhyamaheshvra (or Madhyamaheshwara) |
|
Lord Shiva's navel appeared at this place. Madhyamaheshwara (one of the Panch
Kedars) can be reached by covering a distance of 30 km from Guptkashi. Around 6
km of the route is motorable while the rest 24 km can be covered by trekking.
While you travel here, do remember to visit the Shiva Temple, located at 3,490 m
above sea level.
|
|
Tunganath |
|
It is the site of the Tunganath Temple. According to the legend, Lord Shiva's
arms appeared at Tunganath after he dived into the ground at Kedarnath. The
temple stands at a height of 3,680 m above sea level. This Kedar also happens to
be the most elevated of all the Five Kedars or Panch Kedars.
|
|
Rudranath |
|
It is the Kedar where emerged the face of Lord Shiva. To commemorate the legend,
Lord Shiva's face is worshipped at the Rudranath Temple. If you are reaching
Rudranath from Gopeshwar, you need to cover 5 km by a private vehicle and the
rest 18 km by trekking. Rudranath feature many sacred tanks or kunds and also
affords absorbing views of the surrounding peaks. The Rudranath temple is at an
elevation of 2,286 m above sea level.
|
|
Kalpeshwar |
|
The place is dedicated to Lord Shiva's hair. The name Kalpeshwar has been
derived from 'kalpvriksh' tree. Sage Durvasa is also believed to have meditated
under the Kalpvriksh tree here. The Kalpeshwar temple lies at an altitude of
2,134 m above sea level on the banks of River Kalpeshwar. The Badrinath
Kedarnath Mandir Samiti looks after this temple.
|
|
SPIRITUAL PLACES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HARIDWAR |
|
|
|
DETAILS
: The sacred Himalayan town of Haridwar represents a
living lesson on Hinduism.
PLACES TO VISIT : Har ki Pauri
- Mansa Devi |
|
|
|
|
RISHIKESH |
|
|
|
DETAILS : The holy town of Rishikesh has the
eminence of being the International capital of Yoga and
meditation.
PLACES TO VISIT : Laxman Jhula
- Bharat Mandir |
|
|
|
|
BADRINATH |
|
|
|
DETAILS : It is one of the four destinations that
constitute the chardham, a sacred pilgrimage for every
devout Hindu.
PLACES TO VISIT : Panch Badri- Vishal Badri |
|
|
|
|
KEDARNATH |
|
|
|
DETAILS : Kedarnath has the remotest location, a 2-day journey from
Gangotri in Uttarakhand.
PLACES TO VISIT : Tungnath -
Rudranath |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GANGOTRI |
|
|
|
DETAILS : sIt is the place from where originates
the Ganges, one of the most sacred rivers of the Hindus.
PLACES TO VISIT : Gaumukh - Gaurikund |
|
|
|
|
YAMUNOTRI |
|
|
|
DETAILS : Yamunotri is an highly significant
Hindu pilgrim's destination
among the four Hindu shrines
PLACES TO VISIT : Surya Kund - Divya Shila |
|
|
|
|
TUNGNATH |
|
|
|
DETAILS : Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in
the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar
temples.
PLACES TO VISIT : Himalaya View |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|