Kedarnath: A walk in the Himalayas
RUCHIKA GOYAL
A visit to Kedarnath is full of aesthetic pleasure, mysticism and spirituality. It can be reached via road transport through Rishikesh, with the final 14 kilometres on foot. On your way from Rishikesh you will encounter picturesque spots like Deoprayag, Rudraprayag and Agasthamuni. Deoprayag is the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda while Rudraprayag is the confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda, who later form the mighty Ganga.
It is believed that Lord Shiva lived incognito in the town of Guptkashi when the Pandavas sought redemption of their sins. The temple at Guptkashi has two springs, believed to originate from Yamnotri and Gangotri.
The trek uphill starts after reaching Gaurikund. Legend has it that Parvati meditated at this place to win the favour of Lord Shiva. The trek uphill can be difficult at places as the path is uneven, but this is more than compensated by the sheer beauty of the surroundings, with waterfalls, snow clad peaks and lush green forests. Added to this is the constant view of the Mandakini rolling down the valley on one site of the path. There are not too many rest houses along the way but the toilets and drinking water taps provided by the state government are a great help. There are also a number of tents and sheds run by locals that provide food, water and shelter.
After walking for about seven kilometres, one arrives at Rambara village. If the day is drawing to a close, it is prudent to stay here overnight as travelling by night is not safe.
After you reach Kedarnath town, you will need to walk for about a kilometre and a half to reach the shrine. The shrine can be reached either on foot, horseback, 'pithhu', or 'doli'- a palanquin carried by four men. Trekking is by far the best option for the young and healthy. The chill of the mountains coupled with the heat of the sun is an amazing experience and if one is lucky, one might even encounter snow along the way!
The shrine at Kedarnath is covered on all sides with snow-clad peaks that look extremely beautiful and awe-inspiring. For those with adventure in their hearts, there is the ultimate destination for skiing- Auli. Information in this regard can be collected at Guptkashi from virtually anybody. This part of Garhwal is the perfect destination for those interested in mountaineering, hiking, camping and adventure sports.
Must-haves on a trip to Kedarnath - sunscreen lotion, rain coats, woollens gloves, socks, boots, medicines, chocolates, glucose and dry fruits.
A visit to Kedarnath is full of aesthetic pleasure, mysticism and spirituality. It can be reached via road transport through Rishikesh, with the final 14 kilometres on foot. On your way from Rishikesh you will encounter picturesque spots like Deoprayag, Rudraprayag and Agasthamuni. Deoprayag is the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda while Rudraprayag is the confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda, who later form the mighty Ganga.
It is believed that Lord Shiva lived incognito in the town of Guptkashi when the Pandavas sought redemption of their sins. The temple at Guptkashi has two springs, believed to originate from Yamnotri and Gangotri.
The trek uphill starts after reaching Gaurikund. Legend has it that Parvati meditated at this place to win the favour of Lord Shiva. The trek uphill can be difficult at places as the path is uneven, but this is more than compensated by the sheer beauty of the surroundings, with waterfalls, snow clad peaks and lush green forests. Added to this is the constant view of the Mandakini rolling down the valley on one site of the path. There are not too many rest houses along the way but the toilets and drinking water taps provided by the state government are a great help. There are also a number of tents and sheds run by locals that provide food, water and shelter.
After walking for about seven kilometres, one arrives at Rambara village. If the day is drawing to a close, it is prudent to stay here overnight as travelling by night is not safe.
After you reach Kedarnath town, you will need to walk for about a kilometre and a half to reach the shrine. The shrine can be reached either on foot, horseback, 'pithhu', or 'doli'- a palanquin carried by four men. Trekking is by far the best option for the young and healthy. The chill of the mountains coupled with the heat of the sun is an amazing experience and if one is lucky, one might even encounter snow along the way!
The shrine at Kedarnath is covered on all sides with snow-clad peaks that look extremely beautiful and awe-inspiring. For those with adventure in their hearts, there is the ultimate destination for skiing- Auli. Information in this regard can be collected at Guptkashi from virtually anybody. This part of Garhwal is the perfect destination for those interested in mountaineering, hiking, camping and adventure sports.
Must-haves on a trip to Kedarnath - sunscreen lotion, rain coats, woollens gloves, socks, boots, medicines, chocolates, glucose and dry fruits.
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