Updated on September 7th, 2024
The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands, and I believe travelling to different 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 the safety of people, and we must follow it, but still staying indoors, within the boundaries of the house for months is not very easy to adopt a lifestyle. In such a situation, planning a trip, even in-country, needs careful research to avoid any hassle during your journey. Few states keep on imposing 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 are essential these days. During lockdown last year in November, we planned a trip to the divine temple of Kedarnath, which is one of the most famous Shiva temples in India. Few family friends planned this trip. Initially, I did not have any plan to join, but when they asked, I agreed as I heard and read many descriptions on Shiv Sutra, especially 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 is 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 put in place by them. This is somewhere science of mind. Today, experts of human psychology are testifying those principles laid centuries ago. I had an inner zeal to know and connect myself to the place I travel, and all this was the core reason for my going to this great place.
If we talk about the route to Kedarnath, 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 our first night to stay there. It was late evening when we reached and booked our stay in a hotel. Although it was an excellent hotel, it was clear from occupancy, maintenance, and other things that the hotel industry is 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 are really offering the best services 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.
The second day we started our trip around 9 am, and we expected to reach our destination by the evening, but we took the wrong path and travelled towards Tehri, and it prolonged the journey for few hours. No doubt it delayed our journey, despite that we enjoyed it. Beautiful Kunds with small multiple falls look so picturesque, we stopped for a while and clicked few snaps. The river view by the side of the road was so beautiful that it hypnotizes your senses. The continuous water flows striking the surrounding rocks, making big water flow sounds, can easily mesmerize one. It is a beautiful route while going to Gangotri. I really feel that it’s worth going there again and again.
We reached Gourikund late at night but anyhow managed our stay in some guest house. Fully exhausted, we just had available food and slept to wake up the next morning. Gaurikund is a place known as the starting point of the walking journey towards 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 one guest house. It was a very basic stay but excellent in hospitality and homely food. In Gaurikund, one can take a bath in naturally hot water. According to the legends, Goddess Parvati meditated over here to marry Lord Shiva. There are so many springs that offer refreshing baths before starting the holy journey up to Kedarnath Temple.
One must keep in mind that up-down in one day is not possible by track (walk), so check your fitness first and plan your trip as you may also face low oxygen during the track towards Kedarnath, so people bring a substance ‘Kapoor’ along with them, it helps in breathing. The easiest and most convenient way to reach the temple is by helicopter. If you are looking to cut down travel time or travel with someone who cannot walk too much, this is the best way to go to the temple. It’s just a 5-7 minutes’ flight to reach the temple. Flights start from different points, even from Dehradun, from where it takes 40-45 minutes to reach. Although an expensive option you will have experienced the visit to one of the wonderful & spiritual place, also it will cut down your travel time. We preferred this option on our journey.
Although many things, including old tracks, bridges and private properties, got damaged during a massive natural disaster flood in 2013, and also it costed a death toll of over 5000. As life always finds reasons to continue, new tracks and other facilities like new bridges, resting sheds, they again constructed small shops for visitors.
Being in the travel industry, I have had opportunities to travel to many exciting places in India and abroad as well, both on the professional and personal front. However, this trip of mine was one of the best ones.
Kedarnath temple is at the height of over 3500 meters from sea level, so this is the highest Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The nearest river flowing near Kedarnath temple is Mandakini coming from the snow-covered mountains. As we preferred a helicopter for reaching the temple, it was also a glorious experience. Reaching the helipad on the premises of the temple, you can’s stop your wow feeling. It’s like you landed somewhere in dreamland or somewhere in heaven.
Taking about the mythological history of the Kedarnath temple, it traces back to Pandavas when they were supposed to please Lord Shiva to seek forgiveness for killing their kins during the war. When Lord Shiva knows this, he hides as a bull but finally got traced. There is a bull (Nandi) statue in front of the temple in today’s temple. People believed Lord Shiva is present as a bull in this temple. There are so many other temples related to Lord Shiva in the surrounding 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. 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, Kedarnath Temple was under the snow for about 400 years. That period was between 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 hills and woods always attracts me, as mountains and forests give a close touch to nature and peace of mind that we miss amidst 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. Natural beauty in the surrounding of Kedarnath is beyond explanation. The magnanimous Himalayas, the holiest of the rivers, the spiritual mystery, stunning landscapes, a mesmerizing floral make you feel outstanding. No words can ever be enough to describe this blessed land perfectly. There is a saying, ‘where ever 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.
