Spiritual Places To Visit In Kedarnath, Uttarakhand | Pilgrimage Destination India

Spiritual Places To Visit In Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Kedarnath is a holy town located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The town is situated in the lap of the Himalayas and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. It is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus and attracts thousands of devotees every year.

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important spiritual places to visit in Kedarnath. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The temple is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level and can only be reached by a trek of around 14 kilometers from Gaurikund.

Bhairav Temple

Bhairav Temple is another important spiritual place to visit in Kedarnath. The temple is dedicated to Bhairav, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. It is located near the Kedarnath Temple and is believed to protect the main temple from evil spirits.

Gandhi Sarovar

Gandhi Sarovar is a beautiful lake located at an altitude of 4,900 meters above sea level. It is named after Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, who visited this place in 1947. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and is a popular trekking destination.

Vasuki Tal

Vasuki Tal is another beautiful lake located near Kedarnath. It is situated at an altitude of 4,150 meters above sea level and is surrounded by lush green forests and snow-capped peaks. It is believed that Lord Vishnu took a bath in this lake after killing the demon Shankhachuda.

Shankaracharya Samadhi

Shankaracharya Samadhi is the final resting place of Adi Shankaracharya, one of the most important philosophers and theologians in Hinduism. The samadhi is located near the Kedarnath Temple and is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

Gaurikund

Gaurikund is the starting point of the trek to Kedarnath. It is located at an altitude of 1,982 meters above sea level and is named after Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The town is surrounded by natural hot springs and is a popular destination for pilgrims.

Sonprayag

Sonprayag is a beautiful town located on the banks of the Mandakini River. It is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Kedarnath and is a popular stopover for pilgrims. The town is surrounded by lush green forests and is a popular destination for nature lovers.

Triyuginarayan Temple

Triyuginarayan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located near Kedarnath. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. The temple is

situated at an altitude of 1,980 meters above sea level and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty.

Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including rare species like snow leopard, musk deer, and Himalayan black bear. It is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Guptkashi

Guptkashi is a small town located at a distance of 49 kilometers from Kedarnath. It is considered to be one of the holiest towns in Uttarakhand and is home to several ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town is also known for its scenic beauty and is a popular destination for tourists.

Chandrashila Peak

Chandrashila Peak is a beautiful trekking destination located near Kedarnath. It is situated at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the Himalayan range. The trek to Chandrashila Peak is considered to be a moderate level trek and is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts.

Tungnath Temple

Tungnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located at an altitude of 3,680 meters above sea level and is considered to be the highest Shiva temple in the world. The temple is surrounded by stunning natural beauty and is a popular destination for pilgrims and nature lovers. 

Kedarnath is a holy town located in the Himalayas and is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus. The town is home to several spiritual places that are considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hinduism. From the Kedarnath Temple to the Chandrashila Peak, there are plenty of places to explore in Kedarnath for both pilgrims and adventure enthusiasts.

Hidden facts about Kedarnath, Uttarakhand:-

Here are some hidden facts about Kedarnath:

Kedarnath is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest Shiva temples in the world.

The temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, and it is believed that the Pandavas also visited this place during the Mahabharata era.

The temple is made of massive stone slabs and is believed to have been constructed using a technique called "interlocking," which doesn't require any cement or mortar.

Kedarnath was hit by a massive flood in 2013, which caused extensive damage to the town and the temple. However, the temple remained unharmed, which many believe was a miracle.

The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the vicinity of the temple and is home to several endangered species such as the snow leopard, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr.

The town of Kedarnath is accessible only by foot or on horseback, and there are no motorable roads leading to it.

The temple is closed during winters due to heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions. It is usually open from April to November.

Kedarnath is also known for its hot springs, which are believed to have medicinal properties and are a popular attraction among tourists.

The town is located on the banks of the Mandakini River, which is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.

The trek to Kedarnath is considered one of the most challenging and rewarding treks in India, and it takes about 14 km from Gaurikund to reach the temple.

How to travel by road to Kedarnath and the nearest bus stand

Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas and can only be reached by a trek of around 14 kilometers from Gaurikund. However, if you want to travel by road, you can reach Gaurikund by taking a bus or a taxi from major cities in Uttarakhand.

The nearest bus stand to Kedarnath is the Gaurikund Bus Stand, which is located at a distance of around 14 kilometers from Kedarnath. From the bus stand, you can either take a shared taxi or a private taxi to reach Kedarnath.

If you are traveling from Delhi, you can take a bus to Rishikesh, which is located at a distance of around 230 kilometers from Kedarnath. From Rishikesh, you can take a bus or a taxi to reach Gaurikund. The journey from Delhi to Rishikesh takes around 6-7 hours by bus.

If you are traveling from Dehradun, you can take a bus or a taxi to reach Rishikesh and then take a bus or a taxi to reach Gaurikund. The journey from Dehradun to Rishikesh takes around 1-2 hours by bus.

It is always advisable to check the bus timings and availability before planning your trip to Kedarnath. Also, it is recommended to book your bus or taxi in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.

How to travel by train to Kedarnath and the nearest railway station

Kedarnath does not have a railway station of its own, and the nearest railway station is located in Rishikesh, which is located at a distance of around 230 kilometers from Kedarnath. Rishikesh Railway Station is well-connected to major cities in India and is served by several trains.

If you are planning to travel to Kedarnath by train, you can take a train to Rishikesh Railway Station and then take a bus or a taxi to reach Gaurikund, which is located at a distance of around 215 kilometers from Rishikesh.

Some of the popular trains that run between major cities in India and Rishikesh Railway Station are Dehradun Express, Haridwar Express, Shatabdi Express, and Mussoorie Express.

How to travel by air to Kedarnath and the nearest airport

Kedarnath does not have an airport of its own, and the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, which is located in Dehradun, at a distance of around 250 kilometers from Kedarnath. Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected to major cities in India, and several airlines operate regular flights to and from the airport.

If you are planning to travel to Kedarnath by air, you can take a flight to Jolly Grant Airport and then take a taxi or a bus to reach Gaurikund, which is located at a distance of around 215 kilometers from the airport.

Once you reach Jolly Grant Airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Gaurikund, which is the base camp for the trek to Kedarnath. The journey from Jolly Grant Airport to Gaurikund takes around 7-8 hours by taxi or bus.

It is always advisable to check the flight timings and availability before planning your trip to Kedarnath. Also, it is recommended to book your taxi or bus in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.

FAQs

Q.1 What is Kedarnath famous for?

Kedarnath is famous for its spiritual places, including the Kedarnath Temple, Bhairav Temple, and Tungnath Temple.

Q.2 How can I reach Kedarnath?

Kedarnath can only be reached by a trek of around 14 kilometers from Gaurikund.

Q.3 What is the best time to visit Kedarnath?

The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June and September to October.

Q.4 Is Kedarnath safe for tourists?

Yes, Kedarnath is safe for tourists. However, it is always advisable to take necessary precautions and follow the guidelines provided by the authorities.

Q.5 What are some other places to visit near Kedarnath?

Some other places to visit near Kedarnath include Guptkashi, Triyuginarayan Temple, and the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.