Updated on November 7th, 2026
The greatest moment in human life is leaving for unknown lands, and I believe traveling to places like Kedarnath makes you feel more alive. But these days, we all face a controlled lifestyle imposed by lockdowns. No doubt it’s 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 last November’s lockdown, we planned a trip to the divine temple of Kedarnath, one of India’s most famous Shiva temples. A few family friends planned this trip. At first, 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 OSHO narrated.
Another excellent read on this is ‘The Shiv Sutra, in my understanding’ by V. Susan Ferguson. The Shiv Sutras are scriptures that help a seeker on the spiritual path embark on an inward journey toward 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 imposed. This is somewhere in the science of the mind. Today, experts in human psychology are testifying to those principles laid down centuries ago. I had an inner zeal to know and connect with the place I was traveling to, and that was why I went.
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. We arrived late in the evening and booked a hotel room. Although it was an excellent hotel, it was clear from occupancy, maintenance, and other factors that the hotel industry was hit hardest during the COVID era. Guests were mostly in transit, and 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 in 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 heading towards Tehri, which added a few hours to the journey. It definitely delayed our journey, but we enjoyed it. The beautiful Kunds with multiple small falls looked so picturesque; we stopped for a while and clicked a few snaps. The river view along the roadside was so beautiful that it hypnotized your senses. The continuous flow of water striking the surrounding rocks makes loud sounds and can easily mesmerize you. It is a beautiful route to Gangotri. I really feel that it’s worth going there again and again.
We reached Gaurikund late at night, but still managed to stay in a guest house. Completely exhausted, we ate what we had, slept, and woke up the next morning. Gaurikund is the starting point for the walk to Kedarnath. Kedarnath Temple is approx. 17 km by track from here. Budget and cheap hotels and guest houses are available in Gaurikund. 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. Many springs offer refreshing baths before starting the holy journey to the Kedarnath Temple.
One must keep in mind that going up and down in one day is not possible on foot (walking), so check your fitness first and plan your trip. You may also experience low oxygen during the trek to Kedarnath, so some people carry a substance called ‘Kapoor’ to help them breathe. 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. Flights depart from different points, including Dehradun, and take 40-45 minutes to reach their destinations. Although it’s expensive, it lets you visit one of the wonderful & spiritual places and cuts down on 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 rest shelters were built. 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 sits over 3,500 meters above sea level, making it one of Lord Shiva’s highest Jyotirlingas. The nearest river to the Kedarnath temple is the Mandakini, which originates in the snow-covered mountains. Since we preferred to reach the temple by helicopter, the experience was glorious. Upon reaching the helipad on the temple premises, you cannot help but feel awe. It’s like you’ve landed in dreamland or 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 kin during the war. When Lord Shiva learned of this, he hid as a bull but was eventually traced. A statue of a bull (Nandi) stands in front of the temple today. People believed Lord Shiva was present as a bull in this temple. Many other Lord Shiva temples surround the main temple.
Many mysteries surround the temple, and many believe it was built centuries ago. No one knows the temple’s true origins. Hindu mythology includes many legends and stories about Jyotirlinga and other aspects of the Kedarnath Temple. According to one belief, Shankaracharya built the present temple in the 8th century. The Pandavas initially built the temple. The walls of the temple’s sanctum are decorated with figures of various divinities and scenes 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 Kedarnath Temple’s structure has several yellow lines formed by the slow movement of the glacier above the stones.
Traveling 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. Traveling 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. If you want to be in nature’s lap and experience every bit of it, the mountains are the best place to be. The natural beauty around Kedarnath is beyond explanation. The magnanimous Himalayas, the holiest rivers, the spiritual mystery, the stunning landscapes, and the mesmerizing floral display make you feel uplifted. No words can ever fully describe this blessed land. There is a saying, ‘Wherever you go, go with your heart’. As for Kedarnath, I’d say: whenever you go there, go with your heart & soul. In continuation, you may also read The Thrilling Adventure of Rafting in Rishikesh.
Stories Around Every Turn from Kasol to Tosh
A memorable journey to Tosh filled with mountain views, peaceful streets, cafés, and unforgettable travel memories.
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