Temple Of Lord Shiva At Kedarnath Essay Example

of Sri Kedarnath continues within the village.

In the winter, the priest from the Kedarnath Temple visits Okhimath. The waiting time to enter the temple in the afternoon is approximately 15 minutes, whereas if you go at 7 am, the waiting time can exceed two hours. The main pujas take place at six am and six pm.

The temple's story revolves around the Pandavas who sought relief from their sinful reactions after the Kurukshetra war where they had killed numerous people. They went to Kashi (Varanasi) to seek Lord Siva's blessings, but He escaped to Uttarakhand (Guptakashi) and resided there secretly.

The Pandavas eventually discovered Lord Siva hiding as a bull. Bhima, recognizing the disguise, grabbed the bull by its tail causing it to slowly sink into the ground. Lord Siva then appeared before them due to their unwavering determination. He instructed them to worship the remaining hump of the bull (known as pinda form). A temple was built in this location where worship has continued since then. Other parts of Lord Siva's body appeared in different places nearby. It is said that the Pandavas also worshipped the Tungnath mountain, representing his arm (bahu), Rudranath symbolizing his face (mukh), Kalpeswar depicting his hair (Oata), and so on.

Madhyamaheswar and navel (nabhi) are other places of interest near the Kedarnath Temple. A marble staff, dedicated to Sankaracharya, can be found behind the temple. There are conflicting beliefs about the location of Sri Sankara's passing, with some saying it happened in Kedarnath and others in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Just behind the temple is the Mahapanth Trail (Gate of Heaven), which is believed to lead to Swarga-rohini, the

path to heaven. According to legend, the five Pandavas followed this path after a grand yaJna (sacrifice), while others claim that they ascended from Badrinath.

Located on the right side of the temple in the eastern part of the village, there is a path that leads to Bhairava temple. This temple represents Lord Siva's fierce form and can be reached by walking for about 20 minutes. As you approach the bridge that connects to the town, another path will come into view, which leads to a glacier situated 4km away. To access this path, you can cross the river over the bridge behind the temple and climb up the hill.

The glacier is next to Chorabari Tal lake, known for its vibrant emerald green color. This lake is also called Gandhi Sarovar because it holds a special significance as a place where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered. It usually takes around one to two hours on foot to reach Kedarnath from here.

The source of the Mandakini River is located about a kilometer away from the lake. To reach Vasuki Tal (4320m), a challenging trek of 9 km from Kedarnath starts near the Tourist Bungalow. Beyond Vasuki Tal, the path continues towards the Khatling Glacier, passing through Painya Tal and Maser Tal lakes. It is advisable to have a knowledgeable guide and proper equipment for this trek. For accommodation options, the Nigam Tourist Bungalow offers rooms for Rs 500, but reservations should be made in advance. Additionally, there are dharamshalas and the Birla Guest House available. The Bharat Seva Ashram, a large red building situated on the left side of the temple,

provides clean and comfortable rooms for Rs 200.

There are various private lodges available without any specific name. The cost for a decent room is usually Rs 400 or Rs 600 per night. However, the rooms are considered expensive considering what you get. Rambara, located halfway up to Kedarnath, offers basic accommodation options. Food in Kedarnath is basic but expensive, as it needs to be transported via horseback. To reach Kedarnath, the road ends at Gaurikund (1,981 m), which is approximately 295 km away from Haridwar or Rishikesh. Taking a bus from either of these locations to Gaurikund takes an entire day, with the recommended option being the 6 am morning bus. If you take a later bus, you will need to stop for a night on the way.

The journey from Gangotri to Gaurikund is approximately 334km and takes a day and a half by bus. Once in Gaurikund, it typically takes a full day to travel to Joshimath, which is located 44km south of Badrinath and costs Rs 100. However, if you catch the 6 am bus and everything goes smoothly, you could reach Badrinath on the same day. Alternatively, the same bus from Joshimath travels to Badrinath the following morning. It is advised to reserve early morning buses from Gaurikund the night before. Even if told you can get a ticket the next morning, it is not reliable. It is important to note that reaching Kedarnath from Gaurikund requires a strenuous trek of at least 4 hours covering a 14km steep incline.

The trek up the Kedarnath mountain peak (6,640m/22,770ft) along the Mandakini River is challenging, so it is recommended to carry

minimal weight. Even a small load can become burdensome after a few kilometers. If walking is not possible, you have the option to rent a horse for Rs 250 one way. Another alternative is to be carried by four people up the hill for Rs 900 one way. It is advisable to be prepared to spend the night at Kedarnath since attempting to go up and down in a single day is difficult. Some individuals choose to stop halfway at Rambara (7km), which offers simple eating places and basic rest houses.

Gaurikund is the place where Gaurimata (Parvati) was born and performed austerities for many years to marry Lord Siva. It is located 21 km from Rishikesh and 334 km from Gangotri. Gaurikund serves as the final bus stop on the way to Kedarnath. The area features a hot sulfur water spring known as Gaurikund (Tapta Kund), where visitors can partake in bathing. This spring is said to be the spot where Parvati conducted her austerities and is an ideal place to cleanse oneself after returning from a trek to Kedarnath. Adjacent to the spring is the Gauri Devi Temple, which is devoted to Parvati.

There is a temple known as Sirkata Ganesh, also called the beheaded Ganesh, located approximately half a kilometer from Gaurikund. According to the Skanda Purana, this temple commemorates the spot where Lord Siva beheaded his son Ganesh and subsequently bestowed upon him an elephant head. The story tells us that Ganesh was guarding his mother, Parvati, who was bathing in Gaurikund. Upon Siva's arrival after a long journey, Ganesh prevented him from entering. Unaware of his true identity, Siva grew

furious and decapitated Ganesh. Parvati then implored Siva to resurrect their son and grant him a new head.

Siva promised to give Ganesh the head of the first creature that approached him. Unfortunately, the first creature happened to be an elephant. Thus, Ganesh received the head of an elephant. In Gaurikund, there are numerous private guest houses where visitors can stay and eat. However, most of these accommodations are expensive and not worth the price. Typically, a dirty and rundown double room will cost at least Rs 350. There are alternative options available, but one must not expect any deals. Bharat Seva Ashram and Punjab Sindh are basic establishments with some rooms equipped with bathrooms. Another option is Shivlok, located near Gaurikund and the Mandakini River, which offers decent double rooms for Rs 350.

The GMVN Tourist Centre, located in town, is the best place to stay. It is recommended to book this place at least a week in advance at the GMVN office in Rishikesh. The GMVN Tourist Centre offers double rooms for Rs 550 and dorm beds for Rs 125. Next to Gaurikund, Hotel Pavan Hansh Restaurant is a well-managed vegetarian restaurant. Gauri's Grand restaurant also offers a good variety of food options. If you have extra luggage, you can store it in the cloakroom located to your left after going up the steps from where the buses park. Additionally, there is a Nigam Tourist Lodge in Sonprayag, which is six km south of Gaurikund and offers rooms for Rs 400.

Sonprayag is not as busy as Gaurikund, but having your own transportation is necessary to stay there. Kedarnath, which is one of the

12 Jyotirlingam, serves as a renowned pilgrimage destination for Hindus in India. It is located at an elevation of 3590 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas and the temple itself is made of granite stone, boldly standing against the backdrop of the Kedar range. The walls inside the temple are adorned with several other idols of Gods. Guarding the main gate of the temple stands a black statue of Nandi, Lord Mahadev's ox.

The ideal time to visit Kedarnath is from May to October, as heavy snowfall in other months makes the temple inaccessible. The journey to Kedarnath is an exciting adventure that showcases breathtaking views of nature. Gourikund, located 233 km away from Haridwar and 200 km away from Rishikesh, marks the last motorable road before reaching Kedarnath. It is recommended to begin your journey early in the morning since it takes around 10-11 hours to reach Gourikund from these places. However, the trip can be exhausting.

It is advisable to pause somewhere in the middle, and I recommend Rudraprayag or Chandrapuri. Before embarking on your journey to the temple, you must spend a night in Gourikund. In Gourikund, there are many affordable hotels available. The GMVN Tourist Rest House is the best option, offering double rooms at INR 500-700 and a dormitory at INR 100 per bed. From Gourikund, there is a continuous uphill trek of 14 km to Kedarnath, with breathtaking scenery along the way. The Mandakini River will accompany you throughout your journey, sometimes leaping from a cliff and other times hiding in a gorge.

The act of climbing can be exhausting, but the natural beauty that surrounds you will help alleviate

your tiredness. It is important to walk slowly and take breaks in between. To prepare for possible drizzle, it is recommended to purchase a walking stick and a polythene sheet to provide cover. These items are commonly available along the trekking route. Additionally, please take good care of your camera and bring along a polythene bag specifically for it. Along the route, there are stalls where you can find snacks and tea and take a moment to rest. If you prefer not to walk continuously, you have the option to stay overnight at Ramwara. There are accommodations available at either Kalikamli Dharmashala or the GMVN rest house.

Although nature can be best enjoyed by walking, it may not be feasible for everyone to trek due to physical limitations. For individuals in such situations, options like pony rides, dandi (a chair carried by four persons), doli (a chair carried by four persons), and pithhu (a basket carried by a single person, mainly for kids, lightweight people, and goods) are available. The rates for these services are dependent on the weight of the person, but regardless of the amount charged, I believe it is insufficient considering the amount of labor they contribute. It is important not to negotiate with them as they are extremely impoverished and rely on their hard work to support their families throughout the year.