Tucked away in the mountains of Uttarakhand, is this gem of a pilgrimage spot called Kedarnath. Not only is the place regarded as one of the holy sites for the Hindus, but it is also a region of extraordinary scenic beauty. Located in the Rudra Himalaya range, this poses as a popular tourist destination in India.
Historical Background:
The temple here is said to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya and according to mythological tales, the Pandavas atoned for their sins in the battle of Kurukshetra at this very place. To elude them, Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and tool shelter in Kedarnath.
Things to Do and Major Attractions:
Kedarnath is a dream come true for the nature lover and they can experience some of the most astounding sights in this mountainous terrain. Bounded by the snow-capped Garhwal Himalayan peaks this place has one of the best views that you can imagine. The Mandakini river flows beside Kedarnath and behind the temple there lies the Kedardome peak.
Besides the main attraction of Kedarnath which is a pilgrimage, the region is also known for the Chorbari Glacier which is 6km long. You can go by road and be a witness to this beautiful site. The Gandhi-Sarovar Lake in this region is also one of the major tourist attractions and the landscape provides for some beautiful photographs.
There are some amazing destinations close to Kedarnath and while you are here you might as well check them out for a complete travel experience. For this, you can visit Madhyamaheswar, Tungnath, Guptkashi, Chopta and such other places. One can even take a trip to the famous Rudraprayag for a blissful experience. Trekking is available in Kedarnath and the adventurous folks can find solace in such trekking expeditions.
People and Culture:
The people of Uttarakhand and Kedarnath in specific are majorly Hindus and the population speaks Hindi. The specific population of Kedarnath is very low and most people are engaged in tourism activities.
Local Food and Popular Shopping Items:
There are plenty of shopping destinations in Kedarnath where you will find herbs and crystals besides items such as precious stones, tulsi beads, and natural vitalizes. The brass work in ornaments is famous in this region. The food is predominantly vegetarian and you can find several eateries which will serve you Indian food. While the cuisine is mostly North Indian, you will also find Gujarati and Rajasthani food items in these places.
Best Time to Visit:
For tourists, the ideal time for a visit is from May to June and then from September to October. It is best to avoid the harsh winter months of November to March and the rainy season as the region is prone to floods and landslides.
Availability of Accommodation Type:
With tourist footfall all through the year, finding accommodation in Kedarnath is an easy task. Several hotels have been constructed around the region and you can also find some economical home-stay. Hotel Pushdeep Grand, Anushri Lodge, Arti Guest House, Mahesha Home-stay are only some of these numerous places where you can stay put during your visit.
AIR – The nearest air terminal to Gaurikund is the Jolly Grant Airport, from where you can take a
taxi to Gaurikund. Gaurikund is the last road to Kedarnath, after which the only
alternative is to journey for a distance of around 14 km.
ROAD – Lying on the National Highway 109 which connects Rudraprayag and Kedarnath,
Gaurikund is associated with all nearby urban communities, for example, Rishikesh,
Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Srinagar, Tehri and so forth, by taxis and transports.
TRAIN – The closest railroad station to Badrinath is Rishikesh which is at 216 km from
Kedarnath. It is very much accessible with regular trains to and from important places in India.
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