About Kedarnath

Kedarnath is an important Hindu temple located within the Garhwal Himalayas 221 km away away from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand It is one of Lord Shiva’s 12 Jyotirlinga temples. The magnificent Kedarnath Dham, situated against the majestic Kedarnath Mandir Range at an altitude of 3580m it is where people gather to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have constructed Kedarnath Mandir in the 8th century A.D. The surroundings Mandakini River, hypnotic vistas and breathtaking views with mountain peaks that are snowcapped, rhododendron trees and a good climate make Kedarnath Dham Yatra a serene and picturesque place to visit.

On a visit to the spiritual side at Kedarnath temple, Kedarnath temple, those who seek it find immense peace of mind. The surroundings and the temple are so beautiful that they inspire people to trust in God’s power. The temple escaped one of the most devastating flash floods in the history of the state in 2013, further enhancing its sacredness and the mystical appeal among worshipers. Each year in the Chardham Yatra tour, pilgrims are gathered at the Kedarnath place of pilgrimage. In fact, Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is an extremely popular destination for pilgrimage specifically for Hindus and spiritual seekers.

What I learned from my experiences

The Kedarnath trip in the beginning of June 2020 was an entire year ago, and yet the memories are as fresh as if was there just this week! It was, to put it mildly it was an unforgettable memory that lingers in my mind.

We were allowed to travel, despite the fact that the status of the country was not what it should be that time. We were the only two people in the room. We decided to hire an automobile in Rishikesh and drive towards Kedarnath and then stop for four nights on the route. We could have driven right into Gaurikund in the beginning however we didn’t want to hurry.

We planned to depart Rishikesh at the early hours of morning, and then drive up to Srinagar which is where we’d stay for the night. Srinagar is around 112 kilometers away, and is an easy drive. We arrived in Srinagar at around twelve p.m. We visited Srinagar’s Dhari Devi Temple, which is about 15 kilometers away from Srinagar. The Goddess is the protector God of Uttarakhand The temple is situated in the central part of the river. The temple has an interesting story and a myriad of stories that go with it. At the end of the day we were back in Srinagar. The excursion to Kedarnath was an unforgettable trip.

It was another early start on the next early morning with the intention to reach Gaurikund at sunset. We had lunch and then went to Agastyamuni. We reached Gaurikund at around 3:30 pm. The Kedarnath trek became more enjoyable each minute.

We left to Kedarnath the following morning at 7:15 a.m. The plan was to make it an easy hike of 16 kilometres. We didn’t feel tired in the initial 7 or 8 km. Then came the tough section. The slope gradually grew more steep, and we needed to stop every 15 or 20 minutes to replenish. We were lucky to be in good condition. There are many rivulets and smaller waterfalls along the route. At last, the final destination was within sight and we could view the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple in the distance. Our fatigue was gone and we were headed toward the holy temple! Even though the temple was closed it was still open. We sat outside, and lowered our heads. We thank God for arranging the Kedarnath pilgrimage.

The remainder time was spent visiting the Kedarnath’s Bhairava Temple, Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and other tourist spots. We stayed overnight in Kedarnath and then began our descent at around 8 a.m. The descent is less strenuous than climbing, however it’s still a challenge.

We arrive in Gaurikund at the beginning of the afternoon. The two-way travel was challenging, and all we could do was unwind. The excursion from Kedarnath can be cherished and revisited whenever it is possible. We recommenced our way. We made a quick detour off the main highway and then stayed at Chopta to spend the night. Chopta is a wonderful community that has stunning views everywhere. This will have to wait until an additional time! The final day of our Kedarnath pilgrimage draws to an end in Rishikesh.

Go to Kedarnath Temple at the Best Time

Kedarnath Temple remains open to pilgrims for six months because of its altitude and geographic location. The gates of this high-altitude sacred Hindu temple are usually opened at the end of April or start of May. Following Diwali the temple is closed as the God is then taken to Ukhimath which is where it’s honored for the following 6 months in winter. The best timing to go to Kedarnath Dham is between April to November, with the months from April to mid-June and October through mid-November being the best.