Kedarnath - A pious pilgrimage place

Kedarnath Shrine is one of the Dwadasa(Twelve) Jyothirlingams located in various parts of the country.It is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.


                                                           Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple

The Kedarnath shrine is one of the Dwadasa Jyothirlingams. It is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage places in India.

After going on pilgrimage to the other eleven Jyothirlingams, I set about the Kedarnath Yatra on 21-07-2007, from Rishikesh.

Legend

The legend goes that, the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra war, tried to meet Lord Shiva, to help them get rid of the sin of killing their brothers Kauravas and other relatives in the war.But Lord Shiva did not want to meet them and escapes to Guptakasi.The Pandavas learning of this go there.Lord Shiva then escapes to Kedarnath in the form of a bull.They follow him there and Bhima recognises Lord Shiva in the herd and catches hold of the back side of the bull as it tries to escape through the earth.Lord Shiva pleased with the determination of the Pandavas, gets them out of the sin.

Location

The Kedarnath temple is locted in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state.It is at a distance of about 225 km from Rishikesh.The last leg of 14 km involves uphill climb to reach Kedarnath.

Trnasportation

The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,(GMVN),an undertaking of Uttarakhand Government, conducts tours to Kedarnath, Badarinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
The package tour to Kedarnath and Badrinath costs about Rs 8000/.The transportation is by bus from Rishikesh upto Gaurikund(210 km).The journey takes about 8 to 10 hours.

From Gaurikund uphill trek of 14 km.along the upstream of the river Mandakini. This 14 km stretch can be done by Trekking,Doli or Horse riding, depending upon ones physical capability.The children can be taken in a bamboo basket called Pitoo. Doli and Pitto are carried by men.After 7 km we reach a place called Rambara.From here the climb is steep.

All along the way food stalls are available.Food for the horses is also available and the cost is to be borne by the person riding it.

There is a Helicopter service available from a place called Phata.The Helicopter lands at a disatance of about 1.5 km from the temple.The to and fro charges are from Rs 7000 to Rs 8000/.

Accommodation

The GMVN maitains a Guest House very near to the temple.There are other private guest houses also.

The Kedarnath temple is open from May to November.The exact dates of opening and closing can be ascertained from the Trust Board of Kedarnath.Due to Heavy snowfall the temple will be closed in the month of November.The idols are taken to Ukhimutt during winter and worshipped there.

The age of the temple is not known exactly and placed at more than 1000 years.It is believed that the present temple is built by Sri Adi Sankaracharya.

The abhishekam in the temple is done with ghee and water.

The sight of Kedarnath Temple with Himalayas as background is stunning and worth seen

Precautions:

1. The temparature at Kedarnath will be low most of the time.Proper woolen
clothing is a must.Shoes are compulsory.
2. Cardiac and Asthma patients are advised not to go.Even if they go proper
precautions are necessary.
3. Carrying an Oxygen Cylinder for Cardiac and Asthma patients is advisable.
Portable Oxygen cylinders are available either on rent or for purchase.
The cost of the oxygen cylinder will be about Rs 400/.

Ratnagiri - Tourist Destination

Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is a district in Maharashtra. Ratnagiri is near to Mumbai - Goa Highway. It is area of Konkan. 

How to reach Ratnagiri


There are Mumbai - Ratnagiri S. T. buses (State Transport Buses). It is approximately 9 to 10 hours Bus journey from Mumbai. There is also option of Konkan railway.

About Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is famous for Hapus Mango. It is very sweet and tasty. Ratnagiri has sea shore. Sun - set at this point is beautiful. Thiba Palace is at Ratnagiri. Thiba Palace is build for King of Bramhadesh. British caught King Thiba and allowed him to live at Ratnagiri.

Swami Swaroopanand Samadhi Mandir - Pawas

Pawas is a village in Ratnagiri. It is near to Ratnagiri. Pawas is a birth place of Swami Swaroopanand. Swami Swaroopanand was a famous saint in Maharashtra. He takes a part in Indian freedom fight against British. He wrote 'Abhang Dnyaneshwari'. His Samadhi Mandir is spiritual place. People can stay at 'Bhakt - Dham', which is constructed by Swami Swaroopanand Trust. It may need advance booking.

Ganapati Temple at Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule is in Ratnagiri district. There is famous temple of Lord Ganapati. Many people come here and pray to Lord Ganapati. Ganapatipule has sea shore. But this sea shore is very danger for swimming.

Shivsrushti at Dervan

Dervan is in Ratnagiri district. There are many big statues showing story of King Shivaji. These statues are very beautiful.

Parashuram Temple - Ratnagiri district

There is temple of Lord Parashuram. According to old stories, Lord Parashuram had thrown an arrow to stop sea water to move forward in Konkan land. Temple is near to Mumbai - Goa highway. It is approximately 7 to 8 hours vehicle journey from Mumbai.

Laxmi - Keshav - Mahalaxmi Temple at Kolisare

Kolisare is a small village in Ratnagiri district. Kolisare is not near to Ratnagiri city. This temple is very beautiful. There are many trees around this temple.

Ganapati Temple at Hedavi

Hedavi is a small village in Ratnagiri district. This is not near to Ratnagiri city. This temple and surrounding area is very beautiful.

There are many other places in Ratnagiri, to visit. Ratnagiri is best place for tourists.

Ross Island, North Andaman.

Ross Island at North Andaman mesmerizes the tourists. It has nice sandy beach with a beautiful sandy bridge. This Island is declared as a wild life reserve area. However tourism is continuously promoting in this Island.

Ross Island, a tourist destination in North Andaman.

Ross Island is one of the most tourist attraction in North Andaman. Large number of tourists visits this Island everyday. It's popularity is only for its beauty mother nature, Clean sea water, Silky sand and many more. This Island is declared as a reserved wild life area. Department of Forest & Wildlife is taking care of this reserved area. On one side the department taking strict measure to save the wild life and on the other side it also promotes the tourism to this Island with certain rules for the visitors. If anyone found indulging in illegal activity, then they will have to face the consequences. Teasing of wild animals like deer, pig etc and taking away forest produce such as log, sea shells etc are strictly prohibited.

How to reach Ross Island , North Andaman
This is a separate Island around two to three kilometer from Aerial Bay Jetty. There are few fiber boats inducted into the service of promoting tourism in these Island. The ticket fare for the boat is around Rs 100/- per head from the Aerial Bay for both way. It takes around 20-30 Minutes to reach this Island.

Specialty of Ross Island , North Andaman :
This Island is something special, there are silky sand which attracts many tourists to this Island. There are few Eco huts, which can be used for taking rest and enjoy the beauty of this Island. The most attracting scene is that, during high tide the Island looks two different whereas in low tide, there is a sandy bridge which joins these two Islands and have the look of single Island. All these features makes this Island special and most beautiful mother nature.

Things to be taken while visiting the Ross Island:
1. Sufficient quantity of water
2. Packed food items in sufficient quantity.
3. Mat in sufficient quantity.
4. Swim suit for swimming but all sorts of safety concern should be taken into account.

Caution : For the tourists / Visitors to the Ross Island , North Andaman :
There are some strict rules for the visitors / tourists to this Island.
1. Entry ticket is must for all visitors.
2. Staying for night in this Island is not permissible.
3. All tourists should return from this Island before 4.00 PM.
4. Torturing / Killing of Wild life will be viewed seriously.
5. Cooking at this Island is totally banned.
6. Throwing any waste material is totally banned, if found penalty will be imposed over the action.
7. A single watchman is residing at this Island.
8. It is the responsibility of parents, that children should not be allowed to swim at the sea for safety concern.