Kedarnath, also known as the ‘Abode of Gods’ is an idolised temple town located in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas, in the district of Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. Positioned at an altitude of 3553 metres from the sea level, it is considered as a significant pilgrimage in Hinduism. The peregrination towards Kedarnath temple includes a trek which starts from Gaurikund. It's said to be a challenging pilgrimage to reach the Shrine of Lord Shiva.
The temple remains submerged under the snow for 6 months, when Lord Shiva is shifted to Ukhimath Dham.
• The opening date of the Kedarnath Dham is declared on Maha Shivratri every year, and it is opened in the month of April, the month of Baisakh according to the Hindu Calendar.
• The closing of the temple is declared on the day of Dussehra, and the doors are closed every year exactly after 2 days of Diwali, on the day of Bhai Dooj and the month of Kartika as in Hindu calendar.
• The best time to plan Kedarnath Dham Yatra is from April to May during the summers and September to October, when there is less crowd of pilgrims.
Trek Route to Reach Kedarnath
The 16 km trek to Kedarnath is set from Gaurikund. Reach Sonprayag from Haridwar / Rishikesh / Guptkashi via road. You can also avail bus services directly from Delhi to Sonprayag. Air route is available via Dehradun, and there is also the option for Kedarnath Helicopter Yatra. In short, if you are planning for a long trip then you can route your plan in the following way - Delhi→Haridwar→Rishikesh→Devprayag→Rudraprayag→Guptakashi→Sonprayag→Gaurikund→Kedarnath
The trek route towards Kedarnath is designed as follows:
• Sonprayag to Gaurikund (6km) by transportation
Now the trek begins,
• Jungle Chatti from Gaurikund through Rambara bridge (4 km)
• Jungle Chatti to Bheembali Linchauli (4 km)
• Bheembali Linchauli to Kedarnath base camp (4 km approx)
• Kedarnath base camp to the Kedarnath Temple (1 km)
The Kedarnath Temple trek includes several locations of scenic beauty throughout the trek route and beyond the temple as well.
1. Gaurikund: It is the starting point of the Kedarnath trek, located at an altitude of 1,982 metres (6,503 feet) above sea level. It is believed that Goddess Parvati meditated here to win Lord Shiva’s love.
2. Rambara: Located at an altitude of 2,835 metres (9,301 feet) above sea level, is a picturesque and ideal spot for a short break for the trekkers. Rambara is 7 kms from Gaurikund and is surrounded by waterfalls and beautiful valleys.
3. Kedarnath Temple: The central attraction and usually the final destination of the trek. It is at an altitude of 3,583 metres (11,755 feet) above sea level. Kedarnath is one of the sacred religious sites in India and considered to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Hindu mythology.
4. Vasuki Tal: This serene lake is located 6 km from Kedarnath, at an altitude of 4,150 metres (13,615 feet) above sea level. Vasuki tal is a famous spot for camping , surrounded by mountain peaks.
5. Gandhi Sarovar: 2 kms from Kedarnath, it is a glacial lake located at an altitude of 3,900 metres (12,795 feet) above sea level. Named after Mahatma Gandhi, Gangi Sarovar contains pristine views of the mountain ranges.
Facilities to Avail at Kedarnath Trek
The 16 km long trek takes 6-8 hours to complete and various facilities are arranged for the pilgrims on their way to Kedarnath.
Accommodation: Several guest houses, lodges and hotels are available throughout the Kedarnath yatra. These accommodations provide a comfortable stay to the pilgrims with the basic amenities. The Hotels in Kedarnath need advance booking.
Food and Water: Multiple shops and restaurants are set up along the trek route to provide the pilgrims food and refreshments along with bottled water.
Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are available at Gaurikund and Kedarnath in case of any medical emergency. Medical aid posts are also set up along the yatra route.
Mobile Network Coverage: The mobile network coverage is quite proper throughout the entire trek, except for a few areas.
Few Things to Make Sure for Kedarnath Trek
• Go through a medical fitness test to ensure that you are physically fit for the trek. The trek is not suitable for individuals with high blood pressure and breathing issues.
• 4:00 am to 1:30 pm is the trekking time, and the pilgrims are supposed to follow the same.
• You can avail for Palki and Pony services for which the bookings are done at either Sonprayag or Gaurikund.
• Avoid carrying heavy luggage, it will cause difficulty in the trek.
• Follow your trek guide for a hassle free trek to Kedarnath base camp and the Shrine.
