Kedarnath: The Beauty Beyond Words

After watching the most awaited Bollywood film of 2018 "Kedarnath" , today I am going to share some knowledge about the divine ,sacred beauty of India.Celebrated in Hindu mythology and religion, the Garhwal Himalayas are said to be the "Abode of the Gods". The river Ganges takes its source in this remote massif, at the sacred shrine of Gangotri, and rushes down to the plains in a torrential fury. Very few trekkers follow this itinerary which will lead to one of the most important spots of Hindu spirituality, where you will experience a strange atmosphere of religious fervour.

Overshadowing the most outback site, the Kedarnath town and shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, of the Char Dham sites, the summit of Kedarnath and Kedar Dome, looming at an elevation of 6,940 meters and 6,831 meters, remains the major attraction to several wanderers around the world. Nonetheless, trekking in Kedarnath is one of the spiritual journeys that traverses through the rich alpine bed of Garhwal Himalaya dotted with varied species of Himalayan trees and leads to the abode of Lord Shiva. To the pilgrims the Kedarnath shrine, which is located on the lap of Kedarnath Mountain and on the bank of Mandakini River at an altitude of 3,583 meters, is one of the important pilgrimage sites that is frequented from the month of May to October. The vicinity surrounding the temple further pulls in several trekkers and mountaineers from different parts of the country and world.

From Kedarnath the path proceeds at first along the sacred Bhagirathi river, then through dense forests and grassy areas as far as Lata. From there it is a 5-hour drive to Gangotri, where the second part of the trek starts. Near Gaumukh, close to the Source of the Ganges, you will experience the strange view of half-naked sadhus in the lotus position, meditating on the bank of the bubbling stream pouring out the glacier. Further up, Tapovan is a grassy area with numerous brooks, surrounded by snowy peaks.

The first ascent to the Kedarnath and Kedarnath Dome was done in the year 1947 by a Swiss team and later followed by a Hungarian group in 1989. Trekking in Kedarnath further takes you deep in the Garhwal Himalaya, to Vasuki Tal, which is approximately 8 kilometers up from Kedarnath town and is situated at an altitude of 4,400 meters.

Vasuki Tal is one of the high altitude lakes in the Indian Himalayan region that encircles a rugged and barren terrain and its crystal clear water reflects the peak of Chaukhamba and from its vicinity one can capture the panoramic view of the Mandakini valley. The region is also popular for Brahma Kamal, which is one of the most beautiful Himalayan flowers. Moreover, according to the Hindu myth, it is believed that at the time of Rakshabandhan, Lord Vishnu bathed in the pristine water of Vasuki Tal and hence the lake is also considered as one of the sacred lakes in the Garhwal Himalayan region.

Now pilgrims will have to start trek before 01:30 pm from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. No pilgrims will be permitted to trek after the last minute. Also pilgrims coming down from Kedarnath will have to leave before 05:00 pm. The decision is taken for the safety of pilgrims and as per present weather condition.As because of After the town suffered extensive destruction during June 2013 from flash floods caused by torrential rains in Uttarakhand state, the traditional trekking route to Kedarnath Shrine from Gaurikund via Rambara has been replaced by two alternative routes, the Chaumasi to Kedarnath route via Kham Bugyal and Reka Bugyal, and the other is Chaumasi to Kedarnath via Kham Bugyal, which is the shortest route. The approximate distance from Chaumasi to Kedarnath is 34 kilometers and it takes round about 6 to 7 hours to climb up .

Kedarnath is one among the holiest destination in the country where summer have cool and pleasant climate and is the right period to spend relaxing moments and visiting the KEDARNATH TEMPEL.This place's weather changes frequently through out the year as per seasons.

But more ellaborately

Summer:
Summer have cool and pleasant climate and is the right period to spend relaxing moments and visiting the Kedarnath temple. Summers is ideal for all sight seeing, temple visit and also for visiting nearby attractions. Summer (May to June) are very pleasant with moderate climate, with average around 17degreeC. to 23 degree C.

Monsoons:
n Monsoons, the Landslides are common so tourists should avoid visit. Monsoon months are End of July, Aug and Early September. Monsoon (July to August) are accompanied with occasional rains and also temperature drops down to 10 degree C TO15 Degree C. Landslides are common so tourists should avoid holidaying in this season.

Winter:
In winters due to heavy snowfall, the Kedarnath Temple is closed and no one stays in Kedarnath. For six months (November to April) the Palki of Lord Kedarnath is transferred to a place near Guptakashiand is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the month of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who gather from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage.

Being a reigiousdestination, majority of sightseeing locations at Kendarnath have mytho logical stories. Especially from Mahabharata epic. Still these majestic places attract tourists alike who make sure to stop over at these places when visiting the holy town of Kedarnath.

The beauty of this place is described because of it's unimaginable kindness that are relieved by the tourists from the lord-worshippers, carriage carriers and sadhus thus making it one of the holiest and most sacred place to visit all over India.

Lastly I would conclude by saying, that if you are in search of both inner and outer peace, you must visit this holy place. It shall engulf all the self doubts, confusion and self-critisism from one's mind and heart.

By-
Turya Ninad Haldar.