Plastic Kedar Nath

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According
to legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas, who had come to
seek penitence for having killed their kin in the battle of
Kurukshetra. He took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a bull. Bhima,
one of the Pandava brothers, found Shiva amongst a herd of cattle.
Having identified the meanest and most arrogant of the herd as Shiva,
Bhima is said to have grabbed him by the hindquarters. What remains at
the shrine in Kedarnath is the rear end of the bull, with the rest of
its body scattered throughout the Garhwal. Shiva dived into the ground
leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical protrusion is
worshipped as the idol. It is the main site of the Panch Kedar temples.



 


 
Amidst
the dramatic mountainscapes of the majestic Kedarnath range stands one
of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lying at an
altitude of 3584 mts. on the head of river Mandakini, the shrine of
Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus.



 
 
 


Places to See :
 



 
Chorbari (Gandhi Sarovar)
 
Only 1 km trek away from Kedarnath. Floating - ice on the crstal clear waters of the lake fascinates the visitors.
 
Vasuki Tal
 
Situated at a height of 4,150mt, the lake is surrounded by high mountains and offers an excellent view of Chaukhamba peaks.
 
Gaurikund
 
It
is the base for a trek to Kedarnath and serves as a roadhead. The
village has a temple dedicated to Gauri and hot water springs.
 
Trijuginaray
 
anAccording
to legend,this was the place where the wedding of Lord Shiva and
Parvati was solemnised. In front of the Shiva Temple.
 
Ukhimath
 
Winter
home of the deity at Kedarnath temple and the seat of the rawal of
Kedarnath.Cinnected by bus services to Rudraprayag and other major
centers.
 
Panch Kedar
 
Madmaheshwar,
Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpnath with Kedarnath form the Panch Kedar,
the five most important temples of Lord Shiva in Garhwal Himalayas.
 
Madmaheshwar
 
One
of Panch Kedars, the temple of Madmaheshwar is located at an altitude
of 3,289 mt above sea-level, on the slope of a ridge, 25 km north-east
of Guptkashi. There is a motorable road from Guptashi to Kalimath.
The
best statue of Har Gauri in India measuring over a metre high is found
in the kali temple. The trek from Kalimath to Madmaheshwar is
distinguished by wild unparalleled scenic beauty and engulfed by
Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Gaundar at the confluence of
Madmeshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the last settlement before one
reaches Madmaheshwar, the place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the
form of belly.
 
Tungnath
 
The
arms of Lord Shiva came out as per the Kedarnath myth at Tungnath. He
is worshipped here as one of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath Temple at an
altitude of 3,680mt is the highest Shiva shrine among the Panch kedars
but the easiest to reach from Chopta, the nearest roadhead.
 
Rudranath
 
The
face of Lord Shiva is worshipped at the Rudranath temple, at an
elevation of 2,286 mt above sea-level and is 23 km from Gopeshwar. 5 km
of the has to be trekked. The trek passes through wild orchards and
picturesque bugyals and involves trekking over high ridges (some times
4,000 mt). The temple site provides magnificent views of Hathi Parvat,
Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghungti, Trishuli and many other peaks. There are a
number of holy Kund near Rudranath temple namely - Suryakund,
Chandrakund, Tarakund etc. The entire area is utterly enchanting and
unmatched in scenic beauty.
Anusuya Devi temple is located on the trek to Rudranath involving an additional trek of 3 km.
 
Kalpeshwar
 
The
more hardy to tourist may like to trek about 35 km to Kalpeshwar, where
the locks (hair) with head, of Lord Shiva are worshipped. Located in
Urgam Valley at an altitude of 2,134 mt above sea-level, the temple is
a further 10 k m trek from Rudranath to Helong, the motor head on
Rishikesh- Badrinath route.
 
Deoria Tal
 
At
an altitude of 2,440 mt, the beautiful lake of Deoria Tal is located on
the Chopta - Ukhimath motor road about 3 km away from Sari. Another
trek is from Ukhimath.
In
the early morning, the snow Kedarnath are clearly refected on the lake
waters. The lake also provides an excellent venue for angling, as well
as birdwatching.



 
 
 


Travel Information :
 
 





By Air : Jolly grant (Dehradun)-239 km away from Kedarnath of which 225 km is by road and rest 14 km is on foot.
 
By Rail : Railhead at Rishikesh, 221 km away of which 207 km is by road and the rest 14 km is on foot.
Railhead at Kotdwara, 250 km away, of which 236 km is by road and rest 14 km is on foot.
 
By Road :
Kedarnath is approachable on footfrom Gaurikund, which is connected by
road with Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important
hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills.
Bus
This service is available at Rishikesh, Haridwar and Kotdwara for
Gaurikund. During Yatra season, some special Yatra services are also
arranged to Gaurikund.
Distance
from Rishikesh to kedarnath 223 km, via Deoprayag 70 km, Shrinagar 35
km, Rudraprayag 34 km, Tilwara 9 km, Agastyamuni 10 km, Kund 15 km,
Sonprayag 3 km Gaurikund 5 km, Rambara 7 km, Garurchatti 4 km, Sri
Kedarnath 3 km. Transport:
Buess, private taxies and other light vehicles also ply between
Rishikesh and Garikund-Badrinath and back. The charges are not fixed.