Do you have a dream place?
I want to share with you about my dream place- Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand. It is a place, which is here in India but it is a little difficult to reach. A Divine place surrounded by beautiful mountains showcasing nature’s beauty.
Can you guess the place?
It’s Kedarnath Dham, my Lord Mahadev’s Dham.
Reaching Kedarnath is a long-long trip.. You have to climb huge mountains and will need to survive in the freezing weather. Well, if Mahadev is with you, trust me you can do it all..
Today, we are going to talk about everything about Kedarnath Dham, let’s ride onto an imaginary journey of Mahadev’s Dham..
The History and story of Shri Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple
There are many stories of Kedarnath temple but we will talk about two of them.
Firstly, I wanna tell you all that I have personally read Shiv puran. So, I am telling you the same which is written there.
The First Story of Kedarnath
According to Shiva Purana, In Badarikashram Tirth, two incarnations of the supreme Lord Vishnu- Nar and Narayan performed penance. They made an Earthy Shivlinga and prayed to Lord Shiva to reside in the Shivlinga and accept their Worship. After that, Lord Shiva started coming every day to be worshipped in the Shivlinga made by them.
Many days passed and Nar- Narayan continued to worship the earthy Shivlinga. One day Shiva said, “I am satisfied with your devotion and worship. Now, I want to give you a boon.”
Nar-Narayan asked Lord Shiva, “Hey Lord Mahadev”. If you are pleased with our dedication, then please reside here forever. They also ask shiva to allow everyone to worship him. Lord Shiva agreed and gave the boon. Since then he took the form of a Jyotirlinga, and that place is now Kedarnath Dham.
The Second Story of Kedarnath Temple
Another story says that after the war of Mahabharatha, Pandavas with Draupadi were looking for penance. They were in guilt and so they came to get forgiveness from Lord Shiva in the Himalayas. They found Lord Mahadev there. Shiva wasn’t ready to forgive them, he take the form of a bull and buried himself in the ground.
Though, the Pandavas recognised Lord Shiv and Bhima pulled at his tail. Later on. Mahadev reappeared in five places. The hump in Kedarnath, arms in Tunganath, the belly in Madhyamaheshwar, the face in Rudranath and the head in Kalpeshwar. These are “Panch Kedar.
It is still unknown who built the Kedarnath Dham. So, all we can tell is that Kedarnath is one of all the mysterious temples of Lord Shiv.
Kedarnath Dham is one of the divine Char Dham of Uttarakhand, which are popular as Chota Char Dham. It includes- Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
How to Reach Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand?
Before starting the journey, first we need to understand what we should plan beforehand?
Yatra Registration for Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
At present, the most important thing that you need to start your journey to Kedar Dham is your Yatri Pass. Every person who wants to visit Kedarnath must have to register online at the official website of Chaar Dham.
Get your yatra e-pass before you start..!!
You need this e-pass and registration to book a helicopter ticket online as well.
To start your journey to Kedar Dham, you first need to reach Rishikesh or Dehradun. It is because the journey starts from there.
Rishikesh to Guptakashi
After reaching Rishikesh, you can hire a private vehicle like car/tempo traveller to reach GuptaKashi. Yes, it is the place from where you start your divine journey. There are many transportation services available for the same.
The average price for a 4-wheeler starts from ₹3,500/day whereas for a tempo traveller it is ₹6,000/day. These prices may vary as per the season and time.
Read More: Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi With Mesmerising View
Guptakashi to Kedarnath Jyotirlinga temple Uttarakhand
After reaching Guptakashi, you have to decide whether you want to stay or continue the journey on the same day.
There are there ways to reach Kedarnath from Guptakashi;
- By Trek
- By Palkis/ Ponies
- By Helicopter
By Trek
Let’s talk about the way, when you choose to reach Kedarnath Jyotirlinga by Trek. In my opinion, you should reach there in the most natural and the best way, go there on foot.
Take a Jeep from Guptakashi or Sonaprayag to reach Gaurikund, this will cost you around Rs. 30. Gaurikund is the place where your route to reach your destination by trekking starts, the track is around 18km.
Before the floods of 2013, the track was different but now the track has changed, so you can consider the following:
- Gaurikund to Jungle Chatti (around 6km)
- Jungle Chatti to Bheembali (around 4km)
- Bheembali to Linchauli (around 3km)
- Linchauli to Kedarnath Base Camp (around 4km)
- Kedarnath Base Camp to Kedarnath Jyotirlinga (around 1km)
So, we have shared the details about the track. Now I want to share more, the Kedarnath Trek is very difficult for everyone. As you climb to the top, the route becomes difficult. Do you know why?
It’s Kedarnath, the heaven and to reach heaven, you must pass the test. Right?
Sometimes, there is heavy rainfall, snowfall which makes the journey harder. Just Pray to Lord Shiv and start..
You will find restaurants, tea stalls, and guest houses on your way. Medical help is also available at Kedarnath. One more important thing, make sure that you start your journey between 4 am to 1:30 pm. It is because after that you are not allowed.
If you are travelling during the peak season, you will face difficulties in finding transportation and accommodation.
By Ponies or Palkis
If you wish to travel through Ponies or Palkis then you can book one for yourself at Gaurikund Booking Counter. It will cost an average of Rs. 2500 to Kedarnath. During the peak season, the prices will be higher.
Moreover, if you are someone who can’t walk on a trek and needs a comfy way, then choose a helicopter. You can easily book a helicopter from any base in Guptakashi to the helipad near Kedarnath Temple. This will cost around Rs. 7,750.
Interesting Facts about the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand
Let’s me share some astonishing facts about the Kedarnath Dham;
- Kedarnath Temple of Lord Shiv is one of the ancient temples of India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Lord of Lords.
- The Mesmerising Temple is located at a high altitude of 3,583 meters (about 11,755 feet) above the sea-level. It is one of the highest temples of Lord Shiva.
- The temple is so beautiful and its magnificent architecture wonderfully combines ancient and modern styles. It showcases convoluted carvings with an exceptional design.
- In Kedar Dham, several unique rituals take place, like Abhishekam ceremony. In which the Lord has been offered water, milk, curd, honey, etc.
- The Shivlinga in the Kedarnath Dham is very unique; it is about 3.6 meters in height and with a circumference of about 5.7 meters.
- There is a Sadashiv idol of Lord Mahadev which is made of a conical stone. The height of which is around 3 feet and it is so beautiful and captivating.
- There are other idols of Lords and goddesses like Maa Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Nandi Maharaj. These beautiful and divine idols add more significance to the place and make it even more heavenly.
- There is Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi with Hot water springs behind the Kedarnath temple (Around 600meters). It is said that Shankaracharya attained moksha at an early age of 34.
- There is a giant pillar called Bhim Shila. It is the same pillar that stopped just behind the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple during 2013 floods and sheltered the Dham.
- The Kaal Bhairav temple, Kedarnath is situated on a higher elevation of around 1 km from the main Kedarnath Temple. It is a must-visit place to complete the journey.
Best time to visit Shri Kedarnath Jyotirlinga temple Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple is not a temple that can be visited anytime of the year. The Kapats of the temple gets open in May month and the yatra continues till October.
You can visit there in May-June as the weather is pleasing. It is because the snow starts melting and the route becomes a little accessible. The temperature during May-June is minimum 10°C to Maximum 20°C, which can be considered best.
Moreover, you can also visit during the ending season, September-October. It is the time when the temperature ranges from 5°C to 15°C, and you can get mesmerising views.
Make sure to check the weather forecasting before starting your journey.
Step into your divine journey
Everyone must visit Kedarnath once in a lifetime. It is a place that has a divine power and to experience this you have to step up. Make sure to pack some winter essentials while planning your yatra. Take an extra pair of woollens and perfect trekking shoes.
Visit Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand, capture the beauty of mountains, and experience spirituality. Try to avoid palki and Helicopter, if you are physically fit. Trekking is the best way to experience the endless charm of Kedar Dham.
Just say HAR HAR MAHADEV and plan your way.. !!
Also Read: Somnath Jyotirlinga | Explore the Sacred 1st Jyotirlinga
FAQs:
Q: What should we wear in Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Uttarakhand?
A: You must wear cozy winter sweaters; jackets etc., but try to dress yourself in decent clothes.
Q: How long is the Kedarnath Trek?
A: The divine Kedarnath temple Trek is around 16 kms but it is a hard track and not easy to climb.
Q: What is the Peak Season?
A: The peak season for Kedarnath Temple starts during July and August. There is a heavier crowd during this time.
Q: Can we reach Kedarnath temple from Rishikesh in a single day?
A: Absolutely, you can reach Kedar Dham in one day but only by using the Helicopter.
