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
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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/.
Kedarnath Temple
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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/.
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