Garhwal, Uttarakhand’s Garhwal is a prestigious destination for pilgrims and enthusiasts towards nature. The house of the ancient Kedarnath temple, it provides a deep spiritual experience among the breathtaking landscape.
How to Reach Kedarnath
A combination of road travel and trekking is required to reach Kedarnath, as the temple is not directly accessible from the road.
By Air:
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 238 km from Kedarnath.
From Dehradun: Hire a taxi or take a bus for Sonprayag, the nearest road to Kedarnath.
By Train:
Nearest railway station: Rishikesh railway station, about 216 km from Kedarnath.
From Rishikesh: Buses and taxis are available for Sonprayag.
By Road:
For Gaurikund: From Sonprag, proceed to Gurikund by taxi; This is the final motorable point.
Trek to Kedarnath: A 16 km trek from Gaurikund to Temple. Ponies and palanquins are available for rent for trek.
By helicopter:
Helicopter services operate from Phata, Sirsi and Guptkashi to Kedarnath, providing a convenient option for pilgrims.
To book helicopter services to Kedarnath, you can contact the following authorized operators:
1. Pawan Hans Limited:
New Delhi Office:
Address: Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi-110003
Phone: +91-9868123667, +91-9868123668, +91-9968686822, +91-11-24652878
Email: [email protected]
Phata Office:
Address: Phata Helipad, P.O. – Phata, Distt- Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Phone: +91-1364-275307, +91-1364-275361, +91-1364-275325
Email: [email protected]
2. Himalayan Heli Services:
Contact:
Phone: +91-7969014440
Email: [email protected]
3. IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation):
Helicopter Booking Portal: heliyatra.irctc.co.in
Customer Support:
Phone: 1800-110-139
Email: [email protected]
Must-Visit Places in Kedarnath
Beyond the Kedarnath temple, the region offers many notable sites:
1. Kedarnath Temple:
A 1,000 -year -old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is famous for its stone architecture and spiritual significance.
2. Bhairav Temple:
Located near the main temple, this pilgrimage is dedicated to Bhairav, a terrible expression of Lord Shiva.
3. Gandhi Sarovar (Chorbari Tal):
A cool glaciele lake offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
4. Vasuki Tal:
A high -height lake located at a distance of 4,135 meters is accessible through a trek from Kedarnath.
5. Triyuginarayan Temple:
It is believed that the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married, this temple is a small drive in Sonprayag.
Travel tips
Weather: Kedarnath experiences cold temperatures throughout the year; Pack warm clothes.
Health: Take basic medicines including those people for height disease.
Housing: Book lodging in advance, especially during the peak pilgrimage season.
Season: The temple is open from late April to early November; Plan your journey accordingly.
Conclusion
The journey to Kedarnath is not only a pilgrimage, but an immersion in the calm beauty of the Himalayas. The proper plan and respect for the local environment will ensure a complete experience on this sacred destination.