In the year 2021, when the entire country was under the restrictions of lockdown. We all were working from home, especially IT people. During that time a thought came to my mind to explore the Uttarakhand because states border were having tight security, without Vaccination certificate nobody allowed to visit anywhere. People were in fear by COVID. Finally I have chosen a Place that is completely Divine and shrine. Place named Kedarnath Dham.
Where is Kedarnath Dham:
Kedarnath Dham, located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, is one of the most sacred places for Lord Shiva devotees. Situated at 3,580 meters. Kedarnath Dham is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a key site in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.
Story Of Kedarnath Dham:
According to Hindu mythology, the story of Kedarnath begins with the Pandavas, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata. After the great Kurukshetra War, the Pandavas were filled with guilt for killing their relatives and loved ones. Seeking redemption, they decided to visit Lord Shiva, as they believed that only his blessings could absolve them of their sins.
Shiva, however, did not want to face them and hid in the form of a bull (Nandi) in the mountains. The Pandavas searched for him and eventually found Shiva in the form of a bull. To escape, Shiva dived into the earth, but his body parts appeared in different places. The hump of Lord Shiva is said to have appeared at Kedarnath. The Pandavas then built the Kedarnath Temple to honor this manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Thus, Kedarnath Dham became an important pilgrimage site for those seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings, particularly for forgiveness and redemption from their sins. The temple’s construction is also attributed to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, who established the shrine as a center of spiritual significance.
Chamatkar/ Miracle In Kedarnath Dham:
In 2013, when one of the worst ever flash floods happened in Uttarakhand, We all saw the Miracle and God’s power or existence in this place. Everything in the surroundings gets destroyed by the water, only the temple, the place where Pooja happens, remains safe. With the heavy flash flood one very big giant stone came and stuck just before the main temple and it diverted the water route from the left and right side of the temple. the temple was not even touched by the flood and the people who managed to secure them inside the temple are the one who all survived.
Later, the giant stone beneath the temple was named Bhima Shila, and now people worship it as well. The stone is named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas
Ok coming back to the story now, When I planned to take two days leave and cover two days of weekends Saturday & Sunday, can I complete my journey in four days? After doing a lot of research on the itinerary, I found out that it can definitely be done. Now I was 100% sure about my tight plan, and i have decided to experience my most awaited journey.
Now the question was whether I should do this journey alone or should I take some very special friends of mine with me.
The answer is very clear to me that I want to be there with my dearest Bro’s/friends only. And from there we all three planned this with great enthusiasm. I spent 2 weeks doing research and preparing a proper itinerary. One reason for doing research was so that I want to have a clear idea of what all are the things or places we can cover within the limited time and also so that I want to have an idea of the expenses like accommodation and local travel.
Now the day has come when we need to start our journey, So we all have decided we will meet at the center point that was Almora for us. And we started our Journey from Almora district to Kedarnath Dham.
How to Reach Kedarnath Dham by Road –
While there is no direct road to the temple itself, you can reach Gaurikund, the last motorable point, and then trek or take alternate transport options to the shrine. Here’s a detailed guide on how to reach Kedarnath by road.
| Kedarnath Road Route | Distance(in Km) | Time | Conveyance |
| Delhi – Rishikesh | 238 km | 6-7 hrs | Bus/Taxi/Car |
| Rishikesh – Rudraprayag | 141 km | 5 hrs | Bus/Taxi/Car |
| Rudraprayag – Sonprayag | 72.8 Km | 3 hrs | Jeep/Taxi/Car |
| Sonprayag – Gaurikund | 5 km | 20 mins | Jeep/Taxi/Car |
| Gaurikund – Kedarnath | 16 km trek | 5 hrs | On foot//Helipad/Mule/Pony |
How to Reach Kedarnath Dham by Train
| Kedarnath Train Route | Distance(in Km) | Time | Conveyance |
| Delhi – Rishikesh | 238 km | 7-8 hrs | Train |
| Rishikesh – Rudraprayag | 141 km | 5 hrs | Bus/Taxi/Car |
| Rudraprayag – Sonprayag | 72.8 Km | 3 hrs | Jeep/Taxi/Car |
| Sonprayag – Gaurikund | 5 km | 20 mins | Jeep/Taxi/Car |
| Gaurikund – Kedarnath | 16 km trek | 5 hrs | On foot//Helipad/Mule/Pony |
How to Reach Kedarnath Dham by Air
| Kedarnath Train Route | Distance | Time | Conveyance |
| Delhi to Dehradun | 204 Km (Aerial) | 1 Hour | Airplane |
| Dehradun to Sahastradhara Road | 30 km | 50 Minutes | Taxi/Car |
| Sahastradhara – Gaurikund | 105 Km | 30 Minutes | Helicopter |
| Gaurikund – Kedarnath Dham | 16 km trek | 10 Minutes | Helicopter |
As we decided to start from Almora, So we chose the Almora , Dwarahat route to enter for Garhwal reasons. Via gairsain chamoli we travelled to Rudraprayag and finally reached Sonprayag. It was a complete 8 to 9 hour journey. Sonprayag is a place where your personal vehicles should need to get parked and from there local taxis are allowed only to travel till Gaurikund which is 5km run.
We searched for a hotel room and luckily found the best room to stay there. It was a dream come true for us. We can feel the divinity of that place. Kedarnath Himalaya range was clearly able to be seen from Sonprayag.
Very next day we boarded a local taxi and reached Gaurikund. Gaurikund is the palace from where Trek starts. We started the 18KM baba kedarnath trek. People used to carry lathi with them but we are born Pahadi so we don’t need that as such.
Before starting the Kedarnath Dham trek people used to bathe in Tapt kund which is near to Mandakini river a little down side road walk from Gaurikund.
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham is approximately 16-18 km, and on average, we completed it in about 6 hours. We took breaks along the way for tea and lemonade (Nimbu Pani). Every kilometer, you’ll find local vendors selling various items. Since Kedarnath Dham is situated at such a high altitude, things along the route can be quite expensive. For example, a 20-rupee water bottle may be sold for anywhere between 60 to 100 rupees. It’s not that they are taking advantage of people, but due to the difficulty of transporting goods to such a high location, the higher prices reflect the effort involved.
I was about to reach Kedarnath Dham, and the feeling is something that can’t be described in words. I was emotional and had completely surrendered myself to Bhole Baba. The sounds of the Mandakini River and Sarasvati Mata River are the first things you’ll hear when you enter the Kedarnath Dham boundary. Just before the entry, about 500 meters away, there is a helipad. We had already set a target in our minds: attend the evening aarti first and then look for a place to stay if we were delayed. If we reached on time, we would freshen up and then attend the aarti. So, we decided to attend the aarti first and then look for a room. Since the crowd wasn’t that huge, we were able to get a room easily. The weather was very cold, as it was the month of October, and snowfall had started in the mountains.
Evening Aarti at Kedarnath Dham and Timings ( 6PM to 7.30PM):
As the evening sets in, devotees gather and sit in front of the Kedarnath Temple, eagerly awaiting the sacred evening aarti. The Pandit Ji begins the pooja with reverence, and the aarti lasts for about an hour. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, and the sound of bells, drums, and chants creates a deeply spiritual ambiance. There is a special way to perform this aarti, with specific rituals and mantras that invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva.
The evening aarti at Kedarnath is an unforgettable experience. The sound of the conch shells and the deep chants of “Har Har Mahadev” echo across the mountains, creating a powerful connection to the divine. The cold mountain air, the glowing temple lights, and the presence of fellow devotees enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
Kedarnath Temple Darshan Timings:
Temple opens for general darshan at 6:00 am.
Temple Closses between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
Evening darshan is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Stay At Kedarnath Dham:
Kedarnath offers a range of accommodation options, from guesthouses and dharamshalas to campsites. These stays provide the essential comforts needed to make your time in the mountains more pleasant. Whether you’re staying in a humble dharamshala or a cozy camp, each option offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the spiritual and natural beauty of the region. The simplicity of these stays, combined with the breathtaking surroundings, creates an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after your journey ends.
After attending the evening aarti, we looked for dinner and then, on time, booked a room and went to sleep. I woke up early at 4:30 AM. We had to buy hot water there if it wasn’t included in the room service, as geysers were not available. Despite the limited lighting at such a high altitude, it was manageable.
I took a bath, stepped out of my room, and felt the divine presence around me. I meditated for 30 minutes, and that feeling still lingers within me. The place was still quiet, with most people staying in their rooms because, in temperatures of 1 or 2 degrees, no one dared to venture outside at 5 AM. I considered myself fortunate to meditate in peace and felt a profound sense of inner stillness. I felt a sense of emptiness, a calm within me. The experience at Kedarnath Dham is truly unique.
After about an hour, people started lining up for the morning darshan. My friends joined me, and we queued up for our darshan. It was a very quick darshan experience; we weren’t held inside the temple for long. So, we queued up again and did the darshan twice, which was an interesting way to experience it. Afterward, we performed the parikrama and worshiped at Nandi Baba and Bheem Shila. We sat near Baba’s and offered him coffee. It was truly an amazing experience at Kedarnath Dham.
The Bhairavnath Temple in Kedarnath Dham, also known as Bhairon Baba Mandir, is a short, 800-meter uphill trek from the Kedarnath Temple, offering views of the Kedarnath Temple and the valley.
After doing all darshan we head back to gaurikund and people used to stay there one more day and they usually explore Vasuki tal trek which is 8km trek from Kedarnath Temple.
Where Is Vasuki Tal Located
The trek to Vasuki Tal is generally completed in the day itself from Kedarnath, with trekkers returning to Kedarnath to spend the night. Trekking to the enchanted Vasuki Tal is considered to be a moderately difficult trek, especially for first time trekkers. Some adventurous trekkers can start trekking right away while others can take a pony ride till Kedarnath shrine and then trek towards Vasuki Tal. It is an 8 km trek from Kedarnath and a 24 kms trek from the nearest road head at Gaurikund.
According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Vishnu bathed in this lake at the auspicious Raksha Bandhan festival. Hence, it was named as Vasuki Tal.The travelers can also savor a majestic view of the Chaukhamba peaks from Vasuki Tal. In addition, the luscious terrains around the Vasuki Tal are suitable for trekking.
Let’s Wrap Up Guyzzz
This trip was not just about exploring places; it was a journey of faith, self-discovery, and unforgettable experiences. Every step taken on these sacred trails felt like a blessing, filling me with a sense of peace and gratitude. The memories during this pilgrimage will stay with me forever. Oh I remember one more incident, surely Last but not least, I must mention one of the most interesting aspects of our journey — our cab driver. Initially, he was with us just to drop us off and pick us up, but the bond we created and the atmosphere we shared made him a part of our journey. Not only did he drive tirelessly the entire day, but he also joined us for the trek and darshan the next day. Despite being completely exhausted, he showed incredible devotion and strength. After returning from Kedarnath to Gaurikund, he once again drove over 100 km on challenging roads. Hats off to his ‘bhakti’ and ‘shakti.’
This was my journey to the sacred Baba Kedarnath Temple for darshan. There’s so much more to share, but I’ve summarized it in a few words.
Please forgive me for stretching this a bit more, but this journey wouldn’t have been as joyful, colorful, and spiritually connected if it weren’t for my two buddies. Special thanks to my dear friend cum brothers, Neeraj and Ashok. Without them, I wouldn’t have been as excited for this journey. Ok ok finally wrapping up guyzzzzz, After the Kedarnath Temple darshan, I explored the Triyuginarayan Temple, Ukhimath Temple, Badrinath Dham, India’s Last Village Mana, and Narsingh Temple in Joshimath. All of these are part of Kedar Khand. I’ve also covered Manas Khand and I will share that experience in my upcoming blogs soon. Thanks for reading, and I truly appreciate your time 🙂
