These 18 Places to go to In Kedarnath Which Are Beckoning The Traveler In You In 2020
Here are the 18 best places to go to in Kedarnath on your next vacation to Uttarakhand and have an excellent time faraway from the hustle-bustle. These places offer the best views and also let travelers immerse themselves in religious activities.
1. Kedarnath Temple
When you are at Kedarnath, the foremost important place to go to is that the Kedarnath Temple. This temple is around 1000 years old, which suggests it’s standing here since the time of Mahabharat. This temple houses one among the 12 jyotirlingas and Panch Kedars. it’s dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at a height of three ,584 m within the Garhwal region of Himalayas.
It is believed the first temple was built by the Pandavas and therefore the current one near the old was built by the best scholar and leader Adi Shankaracharya. there’s also a stimulating legend about Lord Shiva turning into a bull and being chased by the Pandavas related to this temple. The temple is open for darshan from end of April till the start of November. It remains closed for the remaining 6 months of the year due to unpredictable winter conditions within the region.
Highlights
The original temple built by the Pandavas
One of the 12 jyotirlingas
The hump of the bull, which was Lord Shiva in disguise, was found here
Badri – Kedar Utsav in the month of June
2. Bhairavnath Temple
Situated on the brink of Kedarnath Temple is that this beautiful temple of God Bhairav, the most Gana of Lord Shiva. Located on a hillock, it’s one among the simplest temples to go to in Kedarnath. The deity of this temple is claimed to be the protector of the Kedarnath temple.
It is believed that when the kedarnath temple is closed during the tough winters, Lord Bhairav, also referred to as Kshetrapal, keeps a watch on the temple and therefore the whole Kedarnath. Not only for the darshan, visit this temple to possess your breath removed by the stunning views of the valley.
Highlights
Dedicated to a deity known to protect Kedarnath temple and valley
Must visit pilgrimage site after Kedarnath Temple
3. Vasuki Tal
Vasuki Tal is one among the simplest places to ascertain in Kedarnath. this is often a gorgeous lake situated at a height of 4135 m over the hills of Kedarnath. From over here , you’ll have a powerful and up-close view of the many peaks. The water within the lake is crystal clear through which you’ll easily spot the rocks beneath it.
There also are mystic flowers blooming round the lake, one among them being the famous Brahma Kamal. going to the lake is treacherous together has got to ascend an extended narrow track from Kedarnath and cross ravine filled glaciers within the path.
Highlights
Lord Vishnu once bathed in the lake
Crystal clear water and enticing view of surrounding peaks
Various flowers including Brahma Kamal bloom here
4. Sonprayag
The confluence point of holy rivers Basuki and Mandakini is where Sonprayag lies. Do take a shower within the merging rivers as they’re believed to be givers of purity. Sonprayag falls within the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and lies at a height of 1829 m. The snow capped mountains and soothingly flowing rivers create a magnetic charm.
Highlights
Magnetic view of snow-capped peaks
Sin washing rivers Basuki and Mandakini
Close to Triyuginarayan temple
5. Shankaracharya Samadhi
Adi Shankarcharya, the 8th century saint and great scholar, visited Kedarnath at the top of his journey through the planet . He had journeyed to varied parts of the planet to spread his philosophy of Advaita. Kedarnath was the last place he visited before leaving his mortal body behind. The place he attained nirvana is where the Shankaracharya Samadhi was built.
The spatika lingam inside the shrine is believed to get rid of negative energies and effects of great illnesses of anyone who visits it. there’s also a thermal spring here that was created by Adi Shankaracharya himself. the aim behind it had been to get rid of the sufferings of the devotee travelers.
Highlights
The resting place of guru Adi Shankaracharya
Spatika lingam with healing properties
Hot spring created by Adi Shankaracharya
6. Chandrashila
Chandrashila peak is one among the foremost popular places to go to in Kedarnath, it’s situated 4000 m above water level . This place is believed to be where Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva after killing Ravana. After Ram gave an end to the Rakshasa clan by killing Ravana, he sought cleaning of his sins by meditating during this Palestine . there’s also the legend of Moon God or Chandradev performing penance for his sins for years here.
The trek to Chandrashila may be a steep one with trekkers requiring to hide a distance of 4.5 m from Chopta, the height having the very best Shiva temple. Chandrashila offers a splendid 360-degree view of the Himalayan range and popular peaks within the region like Nanda Devi , Trishul, Kedar Peak, and Chaukhamba peaks.
Highlights
Meditating place of Lord Ram after the war with Ravan
One of the most popular treks in Kedarnath
7. Gaurikund
According to legends, Goddess Parvati performed years of hard Tapa or meditation to urge married to Lord Shiva. And Gaurikund, nestled within the Garhwal Himalayas, is that the place where she performed the tapa. there’s also another event that happened here.
The incident of Lord Shiva stop Ganesha’s head and replacing it with an elephant’s. Visit this divine place and feel the energy of the Gods. Take a dip within the predicament spring nearby and feel blessed and pure.
The place of long tapa performed by Goddess Parvati
Holy hot water spring
8. Triyuginarayan Temple
What happened after Goddess Parvati completed her tapa? Lord Shiva admitted his love for her and that they got married! The place they got married at is additionally in Kedarnath. Situated 13 meters faraway from Gaurikund is Triyuginarayan Temple where the God and Goddess took marriage vows. there’s a particular place marking the spot where the celestial union happened . it’s called Brahma Shila which is at the front of the temple.
You will notice a fireplace burning ahead of the temple.
This fire is believed to possess been burning since the time of the marriage! this hearth has given the temple another name Akhand Dhuni temple. The temple also features a Saraswati kund whose water is believed to possess arrived from Lord Vishnu’s navel. Triyuginarayan Temple is approachable from Sonprayag which is simply 10 km faraway from it. you’ll also trek to the temple from Sitapur village, which is 7 km away.
Highlights
The marriage place of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Continually burning fire from the time of the divine marriage
Saraswati Kund
9. Guptakashi
When in Kedarnath, you want to decide to visit this village in Rudraprayag district. It lies enroute to Kedarnath on the Mandakini river bank. Gupta Kashi or hidden Kashi is where Bhagwana Shiva hid from the Pandavas once they came to hunt his blessings after the war of Mahabharata.
Being in Guptakashi means you get to go to other popular house of worship like Vishwanath and Ardhnarishwar Temple that are situated nearby.
Both temples dedicated to different sorts of lord Shiva are listed among the must visit places in and around Kedarnath. If for nothing else, visit this town to enjoys some shopping. it’s a number of the simplest shops having idols, paintings, artifacts and more.
Highlights
Is home to popular Vishwanath and Ardhanareshwar temple
One of the biggest shopping centers around Kedarnath
10. Chorabari Tal
The lake formed from Chorabari Bamak glacier is that this scenic Chorabari Tal located at a height of three ,900 m. This lake is at the foot of the Kedarnath peak. Chorabari Tal is additionally referred to as Gandhi Sarovar for the straightforward incontrovertible fact that a number of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed here.
This lake is additionally believed to be the place where Lord Shiva gave the knowledge of Yoga to the Saptrishis. The trek to Chorabari Tal is that the easiest one as you would like to trek 3 km through picturesque grass filled fields. On the thanks to the lake, you’ll have a mesmerizing view of a waterfall by the name of Madhu Ganga with the mystifying mountains within the background.
Highlights
Easy climb
Some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in the lake
Close to Bhairava Temple
11. Tungnath Temple
Resting at a height of three ,680 ft, the Tungnath temple is understood to be one among the Panch Kedar temples. Famous for being the very best Shiva temple within the world, this temple is situated at a distance of three km from Chopta. one among the famous sightseeing places in Kedarnath, this place attracts many pilgrims per annum . this is often believed to be around 1000 years old where Lord Shiva is enshrined and worshipped. The architecture of the temple is completed in Nagara style and inside the sanctum, only 10 people are often accommodated. This temple is believed to be discovered by Adi Shankaracharya. As per the mythology tales, this temple was built by the Pandavas to hunt pardon and blessing from Lord Shiva for killing their cousins. it’s believed that Lord Shiva disguised as a bull and therefore the places where the parts of the bull were found are now famous temples of Shiva.
HighlightsÂ
One of the temples built by Pandavas
One of the Panch Kedar temples
The black stone inside the temples denotes the arm of Lord Shiva
12. Rudranath Temple
Located at the Chamoli district, this ancient temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Resting at an altitude of 2286 m in Garhwal Himalayas, the Rudranath temple is believed to be established by the Pandavas. this is often the third temple to be visited on the Panch Kedar Yatra. consistent with mythology, this temple is that the place where the top of Lord Shiva appeared within the sort of a bull. Surrounded by the thick forests, the top of Lord Shiva is worshipped and called the Neelkanth Mahadeva. Besides this, there are many sacred tanks of water located round the temple which include Suryakund, Chandra-Kund, Tara-Kund, Nanda Devi , Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti. per annum this temple opens its gates within the month of April/May and closes within the mid of November.
Highlights
This is one of the Panch Kedar
Every year an annual fair is hosted here on a full moon day
Inside the temple, there is a Shivling shaped like a human face which is worshipped
13. Madhyamaheshwar Temple
The Madhyamaheshwar temple is taken into account to be one among the traditional Hindu temples which is situated at the bottom of Chaukhamba peak in Garhwal. Resting at a height of three ,497 m, this temple is one among the gorgeous tourist places in Kedarnath. one among the Panch Kedar, this temple is made within the Nagara style which looks mesmerizing with the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains. Inside the temple, the naval a part of the bull is worshipped and thought of to be the foremost sacred. additionally to the present , there are small shrines within the vicinity which are Parvati and Ardhanarishwara.
Highlights
This temple is believed to be built by Bheema who was the second Pandava brother
The temple has enshrined the naval shaped Shiva lingam
From here the trek to Kanchani Tal starts
14. Kalpeshwar Temple
Situated at the Urgam valley in Chamoli district, the Kalpeshwar temple is resting at a height of 2200 m within the Garhwal Himalayas. Surrounded by the luxurious greenery and dense forests, this temple may be a a part of the famous Panch Kedars and famous for being the trekking route to Joshimath. Inside the temple, there’s a stone idol of Lord Shiva. Besides this, there’s a natural cave where the image of hair locks are often seen carved naturally which is believed to possess appeared in Kalpeshwar. there’s a Kalpavriskha tree inside the temple which is believed to satisfy the needs of an individual .
Highlights
This temple remains open throughout the year unlike other Panch Kedar temples
It is believed to be built by the Pandavas
This temple falls in the trek route to Joshimath and one can explore other nearby temples like Budha Kedar Temple and Dhyan Badri temple
15. Mayali Pass Trek
Located at a distance of 15 km from Kedarnath, the Mayali pass is resting at a height of 5300 m within the Bhilangana Valley. Boasting the gorgeous view of the Masar Tal and therefore the Vasuki Tal, this pass is one among the simplest places to go to in Kedarnath. quite famous place among the trekkers, this route was employed by the pilgrims in past to go to Gangotri and Kedarnath. Giving the view of the gorgeous Himalayan peaks, this takes through the Gangi village, Thalay Sagar peak, Bhilangana river catchment, and Khatling glacier.
Highlights
The trek starts from the Ghuttu and goes round the Bhilangana valley
There are two routes to succeed in Mayali Pass – One from Ghuttu and other from Mala
The best time to go to Mayali pass is during the months of May-June and from September to mid-October
16. Ukhimath
Ukhimath may be a beautiful hill town which is found at the Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. Resting at a height of 1317m, this place is additionally referred to as Ushamat which springs from the name of Banasur’s daughter Usha. the most highlight of this place is that the Omkareshwar temple which is additionally considered to be one among the oldest within the entire region. This place is additionally referred to as the abode for Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar within the winter season. This place is situated at a distance of 59 km from Kedarnath.
Highlights
According to mythology, Ukhimath is where Usha and Anirudh (grandson of Lord Krishna) got married.
The Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath is brought here during the winter and worshipped for 6 months.
17. Agastmuni
Resting at a height of 1000m above water level , Agastmuni may be a religious town located by the banks of River Mandakini in Rudraprayag. This place is understood for the famous Agastyamuni temple which is known as after the well-known sage who meditated here for one year. The temple houses a number of the very intricately detailed carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Alongside that, there’s a Shiva temple which is known as the Agasthaswar Mahadev temple.
Highlights
This town is found at a distance of 67 km from Kedarnath
The Agastyamuni hosts an annual fair during the festival of Baisakhi
The visitors also can enjoy fishing within the Mandakini river
18.Deoria Taal
This is a gorgeous lake located within the vicinity of the Saari village in Uttarakhand and lies surrounded by the lush-green and mighty mountains. Resting at a height of 2438m, to succeed in this lake one has got to go 3kms uphill from Saari to the Ukhimath-Chopta road. this is often one among the famous places to go to in Kedarnath and Badrinath. From here one can looked at the sweetness of Chopta, Tungnath, and Chandrashila. Alongside the lake is enclosed by mountains like Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, and Bandarpunch.
Highlights
This is located on the brink of the Nanda Devi Biodiversity Park
According to Hindu Mythology, Devas wont to take a shower during this lake
This is one among the favored trekking destinations in Uttarakhand
