Kedarnath Temple
One of the most significant temples dedicated to Lord Shiva worldwide is Kedarnath. At a height of 3583 meters, Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India, in the Garhwal Himalayas. One of India's twelve Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham and Do Dham Yatra circuit. Due to bad weather in the area, Kedarnath Temple is closed for six months out of the year. The temple deity is brought to the Ukhimath for worship when the Kedarnath Temple is closed. The temple is open on Akshay Tritiya and closes on Bhai Dhuj, which falls in November. When the temple opens, a large number of devotees wait to begin their Kedarnath Yatra. Even one month prior to the temple's opening, they reserved their Kedarnath Yatra package.
The temple survived destruction during the 2013 flash flood, but the entire Kedarnath area was destroyed. There are less number of cracks in the temple walls because of the rocks that flow down from the higher mountains. There was a big rock that served as a flood barrier to keep the temple safe. The surrounding area experienced significant damage while the temple itself escaped major harm, leading some to believe that a divine power was guarding the temple.
Important things to remember while Kedarnath Yatra
- You can take a direct bus to Sonprayag from Delhi ISBT. It departs at nine-thirty in the night.
- Go to Rishikesh if you miss that. From there, a private bus stand is where you can catch a bus.
- If you are driving, don't forget to pause at Devprayag to witness the union of two rivers.
- Don't worry about food; you can easily find it in Kedarnath and Sonprayag.
- There are multiple restrooms scattered throughout the trek, but they lack water and are extremely dirty.
- If you are traveling during the busiest time of year, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
- When trekking, make sure you are drinking enough water.
- Make your reservation for a khacchar (mule) trek right at the base.
- Reservations are available for the government rest houses in Kedarnath and Gaurikund.
- There are also Dharamshalas available.
- There is a bus reservation counter in Sonprayag. Thus, you can purchase your tickets to return to Rudraprayag or Rishikesh.
- Since it can rain at any time, be sure to pack extra clothing and socks.
- A helicopter ride from Sirsi, Phata, and Guptkashi is also available.
- Keep in mind to bring cash because there is a 10% fee on Google Pay for cash at Kedarnath.
How to reach Kedarnath
There is no direct car access to the Kedarnath temple. Gaurikund is the last place you can drive to reach the Kedarnath. Following Gaurikund, pilgrims must hike 16 km in order to receive Lord Shiva's blessings.
By Air: There isn't an airport in Kedarnath. Jolly Grant Airport, located in Dehradun, is the closest airport to Kedarnath. The major Indian cities are well-connected to Jolly Grant Airport. Pilgrims can take a bus or taxi to Sonprayag from Jolly Grant Airport.
By Train: There isn't a train station in Kedarnath. Rishikesh Railway Station is the closest train station to Kedarnath. Additionally, Rishikesh has excellent access to the nation's largest cities. Pilgrims can take a bus or reserve a taxi to go to Sonprayag from Rishikesh.
By Road: Kedarnath has excellent access to all major cities' road networks. Anyone can drive their own car or take a bus from the ISBT Kashmiri gate to Rishikesh to begin the Kedarnath Yatra.
You will arrive at Sonprayag using all available modes of transportation. You can take a shared taxi (₹25 per person) from Sonprayag to the Gaurikund. The actual Kedarnath Yatra now begins after arriving at Gaurikund. This 16-kilometer trek begins at Gaurikund. The hike passes through meadows and lush forests. Trekking to Kedarnath is a moderately difficult task. The pilgrims' endurance and devotion are put to the test on the trek. To finish their journey, anyone can reserve a pony, palanquin, or peethu, among the numerous other options available for the trek. There are helicopter services available for the Kedarnath trek as well. Due to the temple's height, those who suffer from respiratory conditions should see a doctor before embarking on this holy pilgrimage.