The Kedarnath Yatra is a pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Kedarnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The pilgrimage is considered extremely significant for devout Hindus.
“Kedarnath” is one of the best tourist places in India. Visiting Kedarnath is the dream for every devotee. In Kedarnath, Lord Shiva is worshipped. There are many ways to reach Kedarnath. But the best route to reach our destination to Kedarnath is:
Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Sonprayag → Gaurikund → Kedarnath.
It doesn’t matter how difficult we can face during the journey, but our ultimate goal is to reach our destination. It takes 3 days to reach Kedarnath from Noida, Delhi. As it is 220 km from Delhi to Haridwar. It takes 264 km from Haridwar to gaurikund. Haridwar to Gaurikund takes us through the towns of Rishikesh, Devprayag, Sonprayag. Apart from these we must have to halt at Devprayag which is around 90 km from Haridwar to be an eye witness of the beautiful place of the convergence of rivers named Bhagirathi and Alakananda, As these are combined together as holy Ganga river. As a part of the trip, it is an advice to not to plan a Char Dham trip on weekends and 1st week of June. Because it is the time when the operating visitors are just starting and it will be a heavy crowd at that time. After reaching Gaurikund by travelling from Haridwar to Sonprayag, There will be around 23 km for trekking to reach Kedarnath. In the early days, it might be 16km of trekking, but due to floods that occurred in 2013, it became more difficult to trek. So the journey becomes longer. If anyone isn't able to trek the 23 km, there will be availability of ponies, pitthus and palkis as well. They will take you to a certain place from where we are able to walk by charging some amount which is based on our weight. As the ponies will also work very hard, So if we are able to trek, then choosing for trekking is the best option. Though it is difficult to trek 23 km, it gives the best experience and memories. As it will remain as a life-time experience in the Kedarnath trip.
At what time kedarnath should not be visited
As this is how it looks. It will become very dangerous to go to Kedarnath in Winter or in the Rainy season. As there will be heavy cold temperatures. Though it is a tiring journey to Kedarnath, the beautiful vision of snow fallen mountains will make us forget about all the tiredness that we faced. There will be many beautiful places to see in kedarnath like waterfalls, snow fallen mountains, rivers, etc. The Kedarnath temple which is made of a stone edifice is known as one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India which is believed from our ancestors since 1200 years. Inside the temple, it is decorated with an ancient idol of Lord Shiva. The inner walls of the temple are assembled and decorated with beautiful architecture of a variety of deities and mythological idols and scenes in the form of architecture. During the season of winter the deity of Lord Shiva is carried out to the village in the Ukhimath and it will be again brought back to the temple at Summer. So the devotees are not allowed to visit Kedarnath in Winter Season. After all the rituals of worshipping God, the temple will be closed at 9:30 Pm.
beautiful temples
It is one of the beautiful temples which is built with large and heavy grey slabs and stones that gives perfect architecture to the temple that are built strong enough which withhold the occurrence of floods in 2013. Before entering the temple there is a statue of “Nandi” which is made of the same stone that is used in building the temple. Before entering the temple we will worship the Nandi and we will enter into the temple. There will be a long queue to enter the temple, But after reaching the final destination of seeing the beautiful deity of Lord Shiva and worshipping, that is the time where we will feel very relaxed and holy and forget all the difficulties that we faced in the journey and tensions. That is the magic of the Lord Shiva.
After the vision and holy trip of Kedarnath, we feel complete and that gives the best life-time experience in our life. Therefore “Kedarnath will be the best everlasting life time experience for everyone”. I would give a small advice that while going to Kedarnath yatra, just follow the measures and instructions that will be given on the trip. By this you will enjoy this beautiful Yatra.
