Kedarnath
Introduction And History : Kedarnath is situated at an altitude of 3550m in Uttarakhand state of India. It is home to the Kedarnath temple, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, Kalpeshwar and Kedarnath are collectively referred to as Panch Kedar. The majestic temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century amidst lofty snow covered peaks and pristine lakes of the Kedarnath range in the Himalayas It houses one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingam, in which Lord Shiva manifests. The architecture is distinctive and built of heavy slabs of stone. The temple has a ‘Garbha Griha’ for worship and a Mandap for gatherings. At the entrance, as in every other Shiva temple, a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. (A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.)
What To See : Apart from the temple, Gauri Kund attracts trekkers and other tourists. It also has thermal springs and a beautiful temple dedicated Gauri temple. To be mesmerized by the scenic beauty, pay a visit to the Gandhi Sarovar and Vasuki Tal. Situated at about 60 Kilometers from Kedarnath is the Doer Tal, which is also popular with tourists. At Guptkashi visit temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanath. Ukshimath is the winter home of Lord Shiva i.eKedarnath. Chandrashila peak will be a treat to all nature lovers.The best season to visit is from May to October.
Things to do: Apart from a visit to the Kedarnath temple, short excursions to the nearby Deori Tal would be a rewarding experience. A short 1 day trek can be undertaken from Gauri Kund to Mount Bharathekuntha. Trekking excursions in and around the scenic mountains is a common activity.
Accomodations :Not many hotels are available nearby. Accommodation is slightly costly. The Punjab Sindh Awas hotel is among the best here. Dharamshalas, Ashrams, Cottages and Tourist Rest House are the other options. There are several private hotels and Dharmashalas that offer cheap accommodation, but with minimal facilities.
Mode Of Transport : The nearest airport is at Jolly Grant, about 240 Kilometers away in Dehradun while the nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, located about 220 Kilometers. The place can also be accessed by a long trek from Gaurikund. It is connected with other hill stations in the Garhwal Himalayas. Local transport is possible only by ponies and horses.
Related links:
• Official website: http://www.badarikedar.org/
• Tourist information: http://www.gmvnl.com
See also (Nearby places):Rishikesh, Mussourie, Trijuginarayan, Dehradun, Gangotri.
