The Myth of Kedarnath
The myth of Kedarnath is rooted in the tales of the Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought to find Lord Shiva to forgive them for their sins. However, Lord Shiva was displeased with their actions. To avoid them, he transformed himself into Nandi, the bull, and fled to the Himalayas.
Bhim, one of the Pandava brothers, eventually found the bull and tried to catch him, but Nandi vanished into the ground. Afterward, parts of Lord Shiva’s body emerged from different places, which came to be known as the Panch Kedars.
The Panch Kedars
The five places where Shiva’s body parts are said to have emerged are:
- Kedarnath: Hump
- Tungnath: Arms
- Rudranath: Face
- Madhyamaheshwar: Navel
- Kalpeshwar: Hair
Trip Info
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Accommodation will be provided in tents on a sharing basis, and hotels.
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A professional trek leader will accompany the group
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Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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12,200 ft.
Itinerary
The journey begins with a scenic drive from Rishikesh to Sonprayag. This is a long road trip, approximately 210 kilometers, and can take 7 to 8 hours depending on road and traffic conditions. You will travel by a Tempo Traveller, Bolero, or cab, passing through picturesque landscapes of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. Upon arrival in Sonprayag, you will check into your accommodation for the night to rest and prepare for the trek ahead.
This is the day of the main trek. You will be transported from Sonprayag to Gaurikund, which is about a 5-kilometer drive by local transport like a shared jeep. Gaurikund is the official starting point of the Kedarnath trek. The trek itself is a challenging yet rewarding 16-kilometer ascent to the Kedarnath temple. The trail is well-paved but involves a significant altitude gain. The trek can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours depending on your pace and fitness level. Along the way, there are various checkpoints and rest stops. You will reach Kedarnath in the evening, check into your tent accommodation, and can attend the evening aarti (prayer ceremony).
Start the day with a visit to the Kedarnath temple for darshan. Afterward, you will begin the descent back to Gaurikund. The downhill trek is easier and typically takes 4 to 6 hours. Upon reaching Gaurikund, you will take a local shared taxi back to Sonprayag to collect your belongings and continue the journey. The plan is to drive back to a location near Sonprayag for an overnight stay.
On the final day of the trip, you will begin your return journey. From Sonprayag, you will have another long drive back to Rishikesh, retracing your steps. The drive is approximately 210 kilometers and will take a full day. The trip concludes upon your arrival back in Rishikesh.
