Introduction
Hindus use Kedarnath Dham as a major pilgrimage destination. One of Uttarakhand's four holiest places, along with Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath, is Kedarnath. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas that hold great significance for Hindus is the Kedarnath Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva.
At 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand's magnificent Upper Himalayan Region, is the temple of Kedarnath. The Satya Yuga king Kedar is thought to have had the temple constructed in his honor. Hindus believe that visiting Kedarnath Dham on a pilgrimage can aid in achieving Moksha, or freedom.
The difficult walk to Kedarnath is caused by the remote location of the Himalayas and the erratic weather, which can include heavy snowfalls, Rain, hailstorms, and temperatures that may drop as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius are all possible. The Temple and the surroundings are quite gorgeous, so the trip is worthwhile.
About Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath Temple Opening and Closing Time
On the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which happens annually at the end of April or the first week of May, the Kedarnath Dham Mandir opens. Due to excessive snowfall throughout the winter, the temple is closed for six months. Every year, after the temple closes in April or the first week of May, the Shiva statue is brought from Kedarnath to Ukhimath for worship before being returned to Kedarnath.
Is Registration required for Kedarnath?
It is required of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath to register. Registration was completed by the Uttarakhand government for each Chardham location. Due to cloud bursts, there were disastrous floods in 2013 that claimed thousands of lives. Numerous thousands of people vanished from sight. The Chardham Yatra, which includes Kedarnath, required registration in 2014, according to the Uttarakhand government.
How to Register for Kedarnath Yatra Online
Kedarnath Yatra 2023 registration is free. You can do it online using a laptop, desktop computer, or mobile device by going to the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board's official website and taking a few easy steps:
Go to the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board's official website.
Select the "Registration" hyperlink.
Enter your information here, including your name, residence, ID proof, age, and gender.
An image of your ID proof should be uploaded.
Decide on the day and time you want to visit Kedarnath.
Apply.
You will receive a confirmation message with a unique registration number as soon as the form has been submitted. During the Yatra, you must have a hard copy or soft copy of this document together with a valid form of identification.
How to reach Kedarnath Dham Uttrakhand?
1. By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is roughly 238 kilometers away, is the closest airport to Kedarnath. To go to Kedarnath, you can take a taxi or cab from the airport.
2. By Train: Haridwar or Rishikesh Railway Station, which is roughly 216 kilometers away, is the closest train station to Kedarnath. To go to Kedarnath, you can take a bus or hire a taxi from the railway station.
3. By Road: Kedarnath has excellent access to important cities in Uttarakhand and other regions of India via the road network. To go to Kedarnath, you can take a bus or hire a taxi from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or other neighboring places. Sonprayag, the final motorable point, is roughly 16 kilometers from Kedarnath.
After arriving at Sonprayag, you must wait in a large line to get onto a local vehicle that will transport you to Gaurikund, the starting point of your journey to Kedarnath.
Darshan Timings
The Kedarnath Dham Mandir welcomes guests at 6:00 AM. From approximately 3 to 4 PM, a unique Aarti ceremony is held during which Lord Shiva is worshipped. Aarti concludes shortly after that, and the temple doors are shut for a predetermined amount of time. The temple reopens at 5:00 PM, and guests are welcome. After an evening Aarti at 7:30 or 8 p.m., the doors close once more at 8:30 p.m
Accommodation Facility in Kedarnath
In Kedarnath, there are plenty of rest places and guest home options for people looking to reserve a room for a few days or an overnight stay. In Kedarnath, there are private accommodations as well as government-run rest places that one can book. Check out some of those well-liked choices that are listed below.
1) Char Dham Camps: These camps are located in Guptkashi and offer stunning views of the Himalayas in the distance. Additionally, they provide delectable meals to all of their guests, and the opulent surroundings would entice you to reserve one of them.
2) Hotel Priyadarshini: You won't have much trouble finding this hotel because it is situated on the banks of the Mandakini River. This motel provides outstanding services and has clean rooms. This hotel offers a variety of dining options, including vegetarian and continental dishes. You can reserve any kind of room here, including premium and regular rooms.
3) Hotel Marwad House: This is the place to go if you want to receive therapy similar to what you would receive at home. This hotel room comes in a variety of combinations, ranging from a room with two beds to a room with four beds. It will also provide you with a reasonably priced, spotless treatment.
4) GMVN Kedarnath - If you're searching for an inexpensive, tidy spot to stay the night, GMVN is your best bet. The motel is reasonably accessible and conveniently situated close to the temple. You can make the most of your travel by staying close to the temple by booking a room here.
Where to eat
In Shri Kedarnath Dham, there are several well-known restaurants that you should try. Check out the many well-known restaurants on the list below while you're on your way.
1) Hariyali restaurant - Two persons can savor some delicious North Indian cuisine here for Rs 500. The restaurant has a stunning backdrop of verdant mountain ranges, providing an idyllic setting for both dining and taking in the scenery.
2) Mayadeep Restaurant: Located near Kedarnath, this well-liked eatery serves South Indian, Chinese, and North Indian food to its patrons. The restaurant's calming atmosphere is maintained by the attentive and kind personnel. This eatery charges about Rs 300 for two people.
3) Snow View Restaurant: It serves Chinese, North Indian, and quick food. Therefore, choose this restaurant if you're looking for somewhere to eat sandwiches and burgers. Your eyes will be treated to some stunning sights in this restaurant's open environment. This eatery costs about Rs 350 for two people.
Cleanliness and Toilet facilities on Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra
Keeping oneself clean and hygienic is crucial during the Kedarnath Yatra. The officials work tirelessly to maintain the cleanliness of the walk route and guarantee that restrooms are available regularly. Nonetheless, in certain instances, the preparations and efforts fall short of expectations. When considering the amount of pilgrims that come throughout May and June, the arrangements are inadequate.
How difficult is Kedarnath Dham Yatra on foot?
The chosen form of transportation and each person's degree of fitness can have an impact on how challenging the Kedarnath Yatra is. The journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is the most popular path; it is officially 16 km long, but we used an app to track the distance, and it turned out to be 21 km. Even if the app hasn't convinced me to display such a sharp shift in distance, I think 16 kilometers is most definitely incorrect. The authorities ought to reassess the distance and provide an accurate estimate. It is more than 20 km, in my opinion.
It is necessary to disclose the actual distance since there is a chance that some elderly or less physically fit individuals may attempt the walk on foot, believing they can cover the 16 km, and find it difficult to get to their destination. There are steep inclines and uneven roads, making the terrain difficult at times. However, devotees of all fitness levels can complete the yatra with appropriate planning and timing.
Gaurikund to Kedarnath Trek:
Depending on the weather and your degree of physical endurance, the 16-kilometer formal hike from Gaurikund to Kedarnath might take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to accomplish. There are steep inclines to climb and small pathways to follow along the walk.
The following are some roadblocks along the way:
Four kilometers separate Jangle Chatti/Bhairon Chatti and Gaurikund.
Three kilometers from Jangle/Bhairon Chatti to Bheembali
From Bheembali to Linchauli: 4 km
Kedarnath Base Camp to Linchauli: 4 km
Kedarnath Temple to Kedarnath Base Camp: 1 km
Places to visit in Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath offers a variety of attractions for all types of tourists. For those who enjoy the outdoors, there are Chopta and Son Prayag in addition to Gandhi Sarovar, Chandrashila, Vasuki Tal, Gauri Kund, Sankaracharya Samadhi, Ukhimath, Panch Kedar, Tungnath, Rudra Nath, and Deoria Tal.
There are various Kunds at Kedarnath that are well-known for their religious significance; the most significant ones are Rudhirkund, Hanskund, Udakkund, Retkund, and Shivkund.
Gandhi Sarovar: It is a tiny lake where it is said that Yudhishthir, the eldest Pandava, ascended to heaven.
Shankaracharya Samadhi: Shankaracharya Samadhi presents itself to devotees as a serene and dreamlike setting. Its tranquility is enhanced by the majestic temple in the distance. It is thought that this is the location where Adi guru Shankaracharya attained samadhi.
Bhairavnath Temple: Kedarnath Temple and Bhairavnath Temple are separated by one kilometer at Bhairon Mandir. The entire Kedarnath Valley and Kedarnath Shrine are visible from this location. The god known as Bhairavnath is said to guard the entire Kedarnath valley and the temple complex when Kedarnath Dham closes for the winter owing to excessive snowfall.
Ratus Kund: About 200 meters from the Kedarnath temple lies a tiny kund, or water source, called Ratus Kund. Because there is sand in this tiny tank, Ratus Kund is also known as Ret Kund.
Gaurikund: This town, which features hot springs and a Gauri shrine, is the starting point for a walk to Kedarnath and also acts as a roadhead.
Six kilometers is Vasuki Tal. This lake is remarkable, rising 4135 meters above sea level encircled by towering mountains and providing a stunning vista of the Chaukhamba Alps.
Sonprayag: Triyuginarayan's diversion is located at the confluence of the Son Ganga and Mandakini rivers.
Conclusion
We hope that our thorough guide to walking the Kedarnath Dham Yatra has encouraged you to take on this enlightening journey. The pilgrimage to Kedarnath Dham is more than simply a physical one; it's also a profoundly moving event that strengthens your bond with the divine. The yatra is full of magic and happiness at every turn, from the captivating scenery to the profound spirituality.
Let the spirit of Kedarnath fill your heart and fan the flame of spirituality within, regardless of how you decide to complete the yatra—on foot or via virtual modes. Get registered online, get ready, and experience Kedarnath's profound spirituality. Begin your path of transformation right now!
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