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Kedarnatha Temple Tour
Location: 14 kms. Trek From Gaurikund
Altitude: 3,581 mt.
Dedicated To: Lord Shiva
Built In: 8th Century AD
 The
Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, is a
scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic
Kedarnath range. At an altitude of 3,581 mt it is a 14 km trek
from Gaurikund.
Dedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the
destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodiment of all passion-love,
hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his
various forms.
There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli
district itself, the most important one is Kedarnath. According to
legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the
Kurukshetra war, felt quilty of having killed their own brothers
and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded
them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the
form of a bull.
On being followd he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on th
surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four
other place and worshipped there as his manifestations.
The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at
Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar.
Kedarnath and the four aboce mentioned shrices are treated as
Panch Kedar.
Kedarnath
Temple
An imposing sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau
surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The present temple, bulk
in 8th century A.D. by Adi Shankaracharya, Stands adjacent to the
site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls
of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities
and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door a large statue
of the Nandi Bull stands as guard.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the exquisitely arhitectured Kedarnath
temple considered to be more than 1000 years old. Built of
extremely large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones, it
evokes wonder as to how these heavy slabs had been handled in the
earlier days. The temple has a "Garbha Griha" for worship and a
Mandap, apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical
rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in
his Sadashiva form .
Shankaracharya Samadhi
The Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is located just behind the
Kedarnath temple. It is said that after establishing four sacred
Dhams in India, he went into his samadhi at an early age of 32
years.
EXCURSIONS FROM
KEDARNATH
Chorabari
(Gandhi Sarovar)
Only a km trek away from Kedarnath. Floating - ice on the crystal
clear waters of the lake fascinates the visitors.
Vasuki Tal
Situated at a height of 4,150mt, the lake is surrounded by high
mountains and offers an excellent view of Chaukhamba peaks.
Gaurikund
It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath and serves as a roadhead.
The village has a temple dedicated to Gauri and hot water springs.
Sonprayag
Situated at the confluence of Sone Ganga and Mandakini rivers. The
road to Trijuginarayan diverts from here.
Trijuginarayan
According to legend, this was the place where the wedding of Lord
Shiva and Parvati was solemnised. In front of the Shiva Temple is
an eternal flame, which is said to be a witness to the marriage.
It can be reached by a 12 km drive from Sonprayag.
Guptkashi
Famous for the temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanath.
Ukhimath
Winter home of the deity at Kedarnath temple and the seat of the
Rawal of Kedarnath. Connected by bus services to Rudraprayag and
other major centres.
Agastymuni
The temple of sage Agastya is the main attraction here.
Panch Kedar
Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpnath with Kedarnath from
the Panch Kedar, the five most important temples of Lord Shiva in
Garhwal Himalayas
Madmaheshwar
One of Panch Kedars, the temple of Madmaheshwar is located at an
altitude of 3,289 mt above sea-level, on the slope of a ridge, 25
km northeast of Guptkashi. There is a motorable road from
Guptkashi to Kalimath.
The best statue of Har Gauri in India measuring over a metre high
is found in the Kali temple. The trek from Kalimath to
Madmaheshwar is distinguished by wild unparalleled scenic beauty
and engulfed by Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Gaundar
at the confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the
last settlement before one reaches Madmaheshwar, the place where
Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of belly.
Tungnath
The arms of Lord Shiva came out as per the Kedarnath myth at
Tungnath. He is worshipped here as one of the Panch Kedars.
Tungnath Temple at an altitude of 3,680 mt, is the highest Shiva
shrine among the Panch Kedars but the easiest to reach from Chopta,
the nearest roadhead
Badrinath Temple & Pilgrim Tours
Location: Right Bank River Alaknanda
Altitude: 3,133 mt. Above Sea-Level
Dedicated To: Lord Vishnu
Built In: 8th Century A.D
TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS IN BADRINATH
Badrinath
Temple
Perched at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, in the
middle of
 a
beautiful valley, it is located on the right bank of holy river
Alaknanda. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri
Badrinathji is 15 mt. in height, built in the form of a cone
with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire.
Legend dates the temple prior to the Vedic age, though the
present temple is believed to have been established by Adi
Shankaracharya, the 8th century A.D., Hindu reformist.
The temple has been renovated several times due to earlier
damages by avalanches and looks modem now with a colourful
"Singh Dwara" or the main entrance gate. The temple has three
parts - Garbha Griha (the sanctum sanctorum), Darshan Mandap
(for pujas) and Shobha Mandap (for devotees to assemble).
It is believed that the image of Badrinath had been thrown into
the Alaknanda river during the time of the Buddhist era and
later retrieved and reinstalled by Shankaracharya during the
following Hindu revival.
There are 15 idols in the temple complex. Finely sculpted in
black stone, the Badrinath (Vishnu) image is a metre high. Other
images include those of Laxmi (Vishnu's consort), Garurh
(Vishnu's mount), Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh etc.
 With
its great scenic beauty and attractive recreational spots in
the vicinity, Badrinath attracts an ever increasing number of
secular visitors each year.
Panch Dharas
(a) Prahalad Dhara (b) Kurma Dhara (c) Urbasi Dhara (d) Bhrigu
Dhara (e) Indra Dhara.
Panch Shilas
(a) Narad Shila (b) Varaha Shila (c) Garurh Shila (d)
Markandeya Shila (e) Narsingh Shila.
Tapt Kund
Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda,
where it is customary to bathe before entering the Badrinath
temple.
Narad Kund
A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from
where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
Brahma Kapal
A flat platform on the bank of river Alaknanda. Hindus perform
propitiating rites for their deceased ancestors.
Sheshnetra
1 .5 km away is a boulder having an impression of the
legendary snake, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.
Charanpaduka
3 km away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord
Vishnu is seen on a boulder.
Neelkanth
A pyramidal shaped snowy peak (6,59 7mt) towering above
Badrinath, presents a dramatic sight. It is popularly known as
the 'Garhwal Queen'.
Other Four Badris
Yogadhyan Badri
The temple of Yogadhyan Badri, one of the five Badris, is
located at Pandukeshwar (1920 mt.) just 24 km short of
Badrinath on Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The image here in a
meditative posture, is worshipped at Badrinath. According to
the myth, the Pandavas handed over Hastinapur to king
Parikshit and retired here.
Bhavishya Badri
The temple of Bhavishya Badri is at an elevation of 2,744 mt.
and is surrounded by dense forests. Located at Subain near
Tapovan about 17 km east of Joshimath on Joshimath - Lata -
Malari route. Pilgrims have to trek beyond Tapovan, up the
Dhauliganga river. Tapovan has sulphurous hot springs and the
view of the Tapovan valley towards the north is breathtakingly
beautiful. Traditionally it is believed that a day will come
when the present route to Badrinath will be inaccessible and
Lord Badrinath will be worshipped here. Thus the name 'Bhavishya
Badri' which literally means the Badri of the future.
Bridha Badri
About 7 km short of Joshimath, on the main Rishikesh-
Badrinath motor road, is Animath. It is believed that
Badrinath or Lord Vishnu was worshipped here before the
enshrinement of Badrinath by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. The
temple of Bridha Badri is open throughout the year.
Adibadri
Adibadri is also one of five Badris and is situated quite far
from the cluster of the other four which form the Vishnu-Kshetra.
Approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road on way to
Ranikhet, are remains of 16 small temples. Seven among them
are more ancient, with flat roofs belonging to the late Gupta
period. Local tradition assigns the building of the temples to
Shankaracharya. The main temple of Narain is distinguished by
a raised platform in the pyramidal form where the idol is
enshrined. Sculpted out of black stone, the idol of Lord
Vishnu is a metre high
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