Kedarnath Yatra 2017 Guide- New Route

Kedarnath Dham Yatra Guide 2016-2017 - How to do Kedarnath Dham Yatra

Where is Kedarnath

Kedarnath Dham is located in the Himalayas at a height of 12000 feet in inspiring surroundings, this small shrine is accessible by foot, only 6 months a year. The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva opens only when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season.

Kedarnath is located on a ridge which juts out at right angles from below the 23000 feet high snowy peak of Mahapanth. Kedarnath is located on the Rudra Himalaya range.

• Coordinates: 30°44′N 79°04′E
• Country : India
• State : Uttarakhand
• District : Rudraprayag
• Elevation : 3,553 m (11,657 ft)

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Sri Kedarnath 2016-2017 new trekking route ( Total distance 15 km - One way)

Old Trek to Sri Kedarnath was destroyed in flash floods in 2013, Old Trek Route was completly washed away, Old roure to Kedarnath was Gaurikund - 

Now the new trek is opened in 2016 to Kedarnath, There is a 14km mountain path that you need to take from a place called Gaurikund. The distance can be covered by foot, by mules, by porters or by helicopters (depends on the weather). The trekking path is rocky but it is conditioned well and proper. There are a number of stalls all throughout the way, and one can find refreshments all the way along.

The trek can be divided into two phases. From Gaurikund to Rambara  and from Rambara to Kedarnath.The new one is longer by five kilometres. but it is more scenic. The first resting point on the trek from Gauri Kund to Kedarnath is at Bhimbali, and the second is at Linchuli, where refreshments and lodging facilities are available. While the four-km stretch from Linchuli to Kedarnath is nicely tiled, 

Notes :- 

1. The route till Linchuli is highly rugged, which makes the journey little tough

2. Mules can be availed upto Rambara or from Rambara also. The cost of mules range from Rs. 400 (full way down) or Rs.700 (for half-way up only) to Rs. 2200 (Full way up and down with overnight stay at Kedarnath). But you have to
negotiate hard to get the best offer.

3.  In Kedarnath you must stay for one night as there is siteseeing points, Visit Bhairava temple that can be covered by foot from the main temple. Some more places like Vasuki Tal and Gandhi sarovar are also considered to be worth a watch 

New Trek Route to Kedarnath Yatra - 2016-2017

• Gaurikund to Rambara (7 km)
• Rambara to Linchuli (5 km)
  • At Linchuli, pilgrims need to cross the river mandakini for further journey...one can stay a night at limchauli . 
• Linchuli to Sri Kedarnath (3 km)
  • Night Stay in Kedarnath 
• Kedarnath to Rambara Return Trek ( 10 Kms)
  • Night Stay at Rambara
• Rambara to Gaurikund Return Trek ( 7 kms)

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Kedarnath Helicopter Service 2016-2017

Helicopter service is available for Phata Helipad, near Gaurikund. It is approx Rs 6800/- per person for the Return trip shri Kedarnath Dham

Why Visit Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is revered as the northernmost and the closest Jyotirlinga to Lord Shiva's eternal abode of Mount Kailash. Kedarnath forms a part of the smaller Char Dham pilgrimage circuit of Hinduism. 

Kedarnath is the seat of Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Lying at an altitude of 3584 m on the head of river Mandakini, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimage for the Hindus.

The temple at Kedarnath is over thousand years old & is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform.The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology.

Best Time to do Kedarnath Temple Yatra

At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage.

The shrine closes on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopens in Vaishakh (Apr-May) every year. During its closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.  

Visiting KedarNath - Tradition and Custom Followed

Tradition has it that pilgrims first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and bring with them the holy waters from the sources of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga and offer abhishekams to Kedareshwara.

Kedarnath Yatra Routes

• The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devaprayag - Tehri - Dharasu - Yamunotri  - Uttar Kashi - Gangotri - Triyugnarayan - Gowrikund and Kedarnath.

• Alternatively, the easy route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.

The Rudra Himalaya range is also known as the Pancha Parvata; its five peaks are Rudra Himalaya, Vishnupuri, Bhramapuri, Udgari-Kanth and Swargarohini. It is believed that four of the Pandavas died on the last of these peaks.