Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a town, which is located in the state of Uttarakhand in India. This town is considered as a holy place by the Hindus. This place is named after the temple “Kedarnath”, which is considered as the most familiar and holy spot. This spot is one of the famous spots for pilgrimage. It is located at a height of about 3,584 metres.
Kedarnath Yatra
Visiting the temple of Kedarnath yatra is considered as the most important part of this yatra. The visiting time for this place is during the end of the month April till the beginning of the month November. One can undergo Kedarnath yatra in 2 ways, that is either by trekking through the hard way or the easiest mode of travel. The mode of yatra depends upon the choice of the individual. The guidelines for both the modes of yatra are given as follows.
Trekking to Kedarnath
If one wishes to reach Kedarnath in simple and easy way one must go for helicopter service. The guidelines and tips for the Kedarnath yatra trek are given as follows.
Step 1:
You may belong to any place but reach “Rishikesh”, which is one of the most familiar places in Uttarakhand state. Beginning the Kedarnath yatra from Rishikesh is the best way. It is advisable to reach Rishikesh in the early morning, in order to begin the journey to Kedarnath.
One can choose any mode of travel to reach Rishikesh. All modes of transportations such as – bus, railway and airway are connected to this place. The jollygrant airport is the nearest airport for this place, which is located at a distance of 20 kilometres.
Step 2:
After reaching Rishikesh, the next place you need to go is “Sonprayag”. One can reach this place either by taking a bus or by taking a cab. Getting a direct bus to this place is rare, so one can take a bus for the place called “Guptkashi” and then go to Sonprayag. One can also reach Guptkashi by taking a bus to “Rudraprayag” from Rishikesh. After reaching Guptkashi, one can reach Sonprayag either by jeep or by cab.
Biometric registration is mandatory for the tourists. One can do this registration either online or at Sonprayag. Aadhar card is necessary for doing this registration process. Accommodation and vehicle parking facilities are available at Sonprayag.
Step 3:
After reaching Sonprayag, the next place you need to go is “Gaurikund”. One can’t make use of the public transportation or their own vehicle after reaching the place Sonprayag. The only way to travel from Sonprayag to Gaurikund is to go either by a jeep or by using any other shuttle services.
The distance between Sonprayag and Gaurikund is 5 kilometres. If one prefers to reach Gaurikund by taking a shuttle service then, one must pay ₹20 per head. After reaching Gaurikund accommodation will be available. One can stay at any hotel of their own choice to take rest. The rent of the room varies according to each hotel and each season.
Step 4:
After reaching Gaurikund, one can begin their journey to Kedarnath. The distance between these two places is 16 kilometres. It takes about 5 or 6 hours to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund. One can reach Kedarnath from this place either by going through the roadway or by using the horse and climbing up in the steep pathway.
It is advisable to start the journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath in the early morning. It is better to avoid beginning the trek during the noon time in order to escape from the bright sun. Travelling with an empty stomach should be avoided as it may make the journey harder.
Having an umbrella or a raincoat during this journey is better to face any sort of climate. Wearing shoes which have a good grip on them is recommended in order to trek comfortably as well as safely. Carrying water bottles and weightless backpacks is advisable in order to retain your energy throughout the trek.
Step 5:
If you begin your journey from Gaurikund in the early morning, you would be reaching the Kedarnath valley by noon. After reaching Kedarnath one can find hotels there to stay, relax and take rest. After taking some rest you can go around anywhere. One can enjoy the serene beauty of nature at this place. One can take photography too.
After staying at night in the hotel, one can visit the temple of Kedarnath to pray to God. Going to the temple early in the morning is advisable. One must stand in a queue for nearly 3 hours in order to see God. At the temple of Kedarnath prashad stalls would be available, where you can buy and taste it.
Step 6:
After the Kedarnath temple visit one can go and visit the Bhairavnath temple, if one wishes to. Or else you can head back home in the same way you reached Kedarnath.
