Updated on May 24th, 2026
The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands, and I believe travelling to places like Kedarnath makes you more full of life. But these days, we all face a controlled lifestyle imposed on us because of lockdowns. No doubt it is there for people’s safety, and we must follow it, but staying indoors, within the boundaries of the house, for months, is not easy to adopt as a lifestyle. In such a situation, planning a trip, even within the country, requires careful research to avoid any hassle during your journey. A few states continue to impose travel restrictions. Some others may have imposed night curfews.
I started my travel blog with this line to make you aware that complete information on your travel plans, stay & accommodations is essential these days. During the lockdown last year in November, we planned a trip to the divine temple of Kedarnath, one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. A few family friends planned this trip. Initially, I had no intention of joining, but when they asked, I agreed, as I had read and heard many descriptions of the Shiv Sutra, especially those narrated by OSHO.
Another excellent read on this is ‘The Shiv Sutra, in my understanding’ by V. Susan Ferguson. Shiva Sutras are scriptures that help a seeker on the spiritual path to embark on an inward journey towards the self. We believe these sutras connect the individual to his core and to the larger cosmos or the universal soul. We also say it is the ultimate God.
Shiva Sutras are a collection of seventy-seven aphorisms that form spiritual mysticism known as Kashmir Shaivism. The Shiva Sutras and the ensuing school of Kashmir Shaivism are a tantric tradition. Tantrics saw themselves as independent of the Vedic mainstream schools of thought and practice, and beyond the rules those schools put in place. This is somewhere in the science of the mind. Today, experts in human psychology are testifying to those principles laid centuries ago. I had an inner zeal to know and connect with the place I was travelling to, and this was the core reason for my going to this great place.
If we talk about the route to Kedarnath, we go to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and finally Gourikund. We started from my place in Jalandhar in a hired taxi and reached Rishikesh via Haridwar, and planned to stay there for our first night. It was late evening when we arrived and booked a room at a hotel. Although it was an excellent hotel, it was clear from occupancy, maintenance, and other things that the hotel industry is the worst affected in the COVID era. Guests were mostly in transit, those who had to extend their stay because of the lockdown. Few Hotels in Rishikesh really offer the best service to visitors.
Here I am talking about the situation of November 2020. I think it is still struggling for survival amid COVID lockdowns. Let’s pray for better days soon.
On the second day, we started our trip around 9 am and expected to reach our destination by evening, but we took the wrong path and ended up travelling towards Tehri, which prolonged the journey by a few hours. No doubt it delayed our journey, but we enjoyed it. Beautiful Kunds with multiple small falls look so picturesque; we stopped for a while and clicked a few snaps. The river view along the roadside was so beautiful that it hypnotised your senses. The continuous flow of water striking the surrounding rocks, making loud water sounds, can easily mesmerise one. It is a beautiful route on the way to Gangotri. I really feel that it’s worth going there again and again.
We reached Gourikund late at night, but managed our stay in a guest house anyway. Fully exhausted, we just had some food available and slept, waking up the next morning. Gaurikund is the starting point of the walking journey to Kedarnath. Kedarnath Temple is approx. 17 km by track from here. Budget and cheap hotels and guest houses are available in Gauri Kund. We also stayed in a guest house. It was a very basic stay, but the hospitality and homely food were excellent. In Gaurikund, one can bathe in naturally hot water. According to legend, Goddess Parvati meditated here before marrying Lord Shiva. There are so many springs that offer refreshing baths before starting the holy journey up to the Kedarnath Temple.
One must keep in mind that going up and down in one day is not possible by track (walk), so check your fitness first and plan your trip. You may also experience low oxygen during the trek to Kedarnath, so people bring a substance called ‘Kapoor’ along, which helps with breathing. The easiest and most convenient way to reach the temple is by helicopter. If you are looking to reduce travel time or travel with someone who cannot walk much, this is the best way to get to the temple. It’s just a 5-7-minute flight to reach the temple. Flights depart from different points, including Dehradun, and take 40-45 minutes to reach. Although an expensive option, you will have experienced a visit to one of the wonderful & spiritual places, and it will reduce your travel time. We preferred this option on our journey.
The massive 2013 natural disaster damaged old tracks, bridges, and many private properties. It also claimed the lives of over 5,000 people. Yet life always finds a way to move forward. New tracks were built. New bridges and resting sheds came up. Small shops were rebuilt to serve visitors once again.
Being in the travel industry, I have had opportunities to visit many exciting places in India and abroad, both professionally and personally. However, this trip was one of the best.
Kedarnath temple is at a height of over 3,500 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The nearest river flowing near the Kedarnath temple is the Mandakini, coming from the snow-covered mountains. As we preferred to reach the temple by helicopter, it was also a glorious experience. Upon reaching the helipad on the temple premises, you cannot help but feel wow. It’s like you landed somewhere in dreamland or somewhere in heaven.
The mythological history of the Kedarnath temple traces back to the Pandavas, who were said to have sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness for killing their kins during the war. When Lord Shiva learns of this, he hides as a bull but is eventually traced. There is a bull (Nandi) statue in front of the temple today. People believed Lord Shiva was present as a bull in this temple. There are so many other temples related to Lord Shiva in the surroundings of the main temple.
There are plenty of mysteries surrounding the temple, with many believing it was built centuries ago. No one knows the true origins of the temple. There are many legends and stories about Jyotirlinga and other aspects of the Kedarnath Temple in Hindu mythology. According to one belief, Shankaracharya built the present temple in the 8th century. The Pandavas initially built that temple. The walls of the temple’s sanctum are decorated with figures of various divinities and sections from mythology. According to one belief, the Kedarnath Temple was buried under snow for about 400 years. That period spanned 1300 AD to 1900 AD. The structure of the Kedarnath Temple has several yellow lines that formed because of the slow movement of the glacier above the stones.
Travelling in the hills and woods always attracts me, as mountains and forests offer a closer connection to nature and a sense of peace of mind that we miss amid the hustle and bustle of urban life. Being in the mountains never gets boring for me. Rather, it makes my soul happy. Travelling is my passion & profession as well. On this trip, you will find so many tourist attractions to enjoy.
When you drive through the mountains, every turn on the road has something to say. I think, if you want to be in the lap of nature and need to experience every bit, mountains are the best places to be in. The natural beauty of the surroundings of Kedarnath is beyond explanation. The magnanimous Himalayas, the holiest of rivers, the spiritual mystery, stunning landscapes, and a mesmerising floral display make you feel outstanding. No words can ever be enough to describe this blessed land perfectly. There is a saying, ‘wherever you go, go with your heart’. Concerning Kedarnath, I will say, whenever you go there, go with your heart & soul. In continuity, you may also read The Thrilling Adventure of Rafting in Rishikesh.
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3 Comments
Very beautiful place, the scenery was amicable, the location of the temple is between hills, surrounded with white snow, the place has a very scenery environment. The trip to Kedarnath was simply great and when we took a helicopter ride to the temple it made it one of the most memorable experiences of my lifetime. On the way back, the snow was falling and it was very cold, nature was in its full swing. The holy pilgrimage and heavenly place on the earth.
Very well written and explanatory too, I will share few more clicks of the trip.
Thanks for your valuable comments. Keep visiting my blog in future as well
Very beautiful place that I wanted to visit from a long time. Thank you for the valuable information