Kedarnath, a one-day trip to live in an air of spirituality
As per Hindu mythological belief, there is a total of 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among 12 Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath is seated in the Himalayas’ lap on the bank of Mandakini river, at an altitude of 11000 feet. The beauty and glory of the Kedarnath temple are both incredible. The Himalayan range, backdrop of snow-covered mountains, Mandakini river, and the green valley are like poetic natural beauty; the history, origin, and belief of Lord Shiva present in the temple’s rocks is divine.
A one-day trip to Kedarnath is enough to experience something unusual, mystic, and promising in the air, as well as every rock in this Kedar valley.
Overview of Sri Kedarnath Ji Temple
The divine temple of Kedarnath is believed to be the land of magic and miracles. In the last tragedy in 2013, the people witnessed the supreme power and blessing of Lord Shiva, which ruined the entire valley and washed away more than thousands of people, trees, rocks, and everything. Still, this stone structure temple was not damaged slightly or an inch. Not a single temple rock lost its intact with other stones, and many of the devotees present inside the temple were able to save their lives. Lord Shiva is believed to be present here to bless the devotees coming to this rugged terrain in the Garhwal Himalayan range.
History and origin of Kedarnath
Kedarnath has many stories and beliefs about its origin. It is believed that after the war of Kurukshetra and the bloodshed of their brothers and relatives, Pandavas were asked to please Lord Shiva and seek blessings from heaven. Pandavas and his wife, Draupadi, went on a journey to heaven. On their journey, they came to this place and found Lord Shiva in the form of a bull, and when he was spotted, Lord Shiva went underground to escape from the Pandavas. The hump was left on the surface at this spot, and this temple was built originally by Pandavas in the same place.
One day of the Kedarnath tour is enough to experience the divine spirituality of the temple. The temple has gone through several disasters and was ruined many times, and again, in the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya rebuilt this temple for Hindu pilgrims.
Morning in Kedarnath
The temple gates open at 4 am, which is quite early. The ringing bells, power drum, conch shells, and many more, all devoted to Lord Shiva, energize the ambiance and valley and open the temple with aarti. The architecture of the stone and rock temple looks stunning with aarti and sounds of all divine instruments used for aarti. Morning time is relatively peaceful and energizes devotees to connect with Lord Shiva.
Post darshan, you are on your own to enjoy the morning beauty of Kedar Valley Mandakini River and the blue sky Himalayas.
Kedarnath’s local shops and eateries always offer devotees fresh food. Pure vegetarian meals are only available, and enjoy a cup of tea in this biting cold region.
Suggested Itinerary: Kedarnath tour during Char Dham Yatra
Afternoon in Kedarnath
The same-day Kedarnath tour can be more exciting if you gear up your shoes for adventure. A short trek to Bhirkhi Tal, or Madhyamaheshwar, is the best option to explore the Himalayan mountains and sunset views.
The Bhirki tal is a stunning place 5 km from the Kedarnath temple, giving a spectacular view of lakes and the Kedarnath temple. The Madhyamaheshwar trek leads to another Shiva temple, around 18 km from Kedarnath temple, with a sunset view.
Evening in Kedarnath
The evening in Kedarnath is like soaking in devotion and spirituality. The mantras, chants, and aarti, again with the sound of power drums, ringing bells, conch shells, and many more, fill the air with the essence of spirituality and great devotion to Lord Shiva. The lighted lamps and diyas and finally closing the door after evening aarti is just a magical experience of spirituality. Several local shops for poori sabzi, aloo paratha, tea, and much more pure veg served for the devotees are operational at night.
Cultural experience in Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a unique place to experience culture, spirituality, and nature’s beauty. It is believed to be the second home of Lord Shiva. Commuting with locals allows one to explore several untold stories of Kedarnath temple, which is exclusively with locals. It is not dense, but there is a small market near the Kedarnath temple for eatery and local handmade craft purchases as a token of memory from Kedarnath.
Best time to visit Kedarnath:
The geographical location and high altitude have strict timing for Kedarnath temple. Every year, the temple opens from the last week of April until Diwali, mainly in November. The remaining six months of the year remain closed, and no one can reach here if the temple remains closed.
How to reach Kedarnath:
Kedarnath temple is a divine and spiritual place that is the dream of every Hindu pilgrim to visit once in a lifetime. Kedarnath can be reached by helicopter, bus, and trekking. Choose according to your stamina and budget.
Helicopter: the operational Helicopters for Kedarnath are from Phata and Sersi. It is also the best option for a same-day Kedarnath tour. Children, older people, and those who desire to explore the Ariel view of the Himalayan range must choose Helicopter service.
By Road: Gaurikund is the last and base point for Kedarnath trekking. Buses and taxis are available from Rishikesh and Haridwar. Here at Gaurikund, you will find many options for Kedarnath, like Palki, Khacchar, and others.
By trekking: the adventure-loving people can choose trekking from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. It is a total 16 km trek from the Gaurikund, which takes a minimum of 6 to 8 hrs to reach Kedarnath temple.
Travel tips for Kedarnath
- Compared to other dams, the route to Kedarnath is the toughest and longest. Before starting, always be prepared mentally for this trek.
Summers are also significantly cold, and the evening observes a dip in temperature. Advisable to carry essential warm clothes. - At a high altitude, there is a chance of high altitude sickness. Always carry needed medicines.
- During monsoon season, the trek becomes challenging. It is advisable to ensure a complete safety kit, like shoes, raincoats, medicines, first aid kit, and everything needed.
- Always carry something energizing like glucose or chocolates along with little snacks.
- Always carry light baggage but enough to overcome the cold in the temple.
Conclusion:
The Garhwal Himalayas are serene for their beauty and divine for having the Kedarnath temple. A trip to Kedarnath is not just a journey to a temple. However, it is a journey to pass through the alluring beauty of the Himalayas and still go high to reach the valley of magical air of spirituality. This home of Lord Shiva is unique for its temple architecture, resting in the midst of utmost natural beauty and an escape till Vasuki tal for exploring the enthralling magic and beauty of the Himalayas.