Kedarnath and Badrinath are the last two legs of the Chota Chardham yatra in Uttarakhand. Some devotees simply prefer to undertake the last two legs of the Chardham yatra, known as do dham yatra comprised of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Badrinath is one of panch badris with the others comprised of Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Virdha Badri and Yogdhyan Badri. Similarly, Kedarnath is one of the five kedars with the others being Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath Information Kedarnath is home to one of the 12 jyotirlingams in India and a must visit pilgrimage spot, especially for Shiv bhakts. It is located in the Garhwal range of the Himalayas at a height of 3584 metres. The temple opens in April and closes in November when the idol is carried to Ukhimath, the winter home of Lord Shiva. The trek to Kedarnath is the toughest, covering a distance of about 14 km over steeply winding passes, a test of human endurance and strength of spirit. These days it is easy to get a helicopter ride and cut short time of travel and the effort. As for accommodation, there are hotels in Kedarnath but these are located mostly in Rudraprayag since the actual pilgrimage spot is difficult to access and closed for more than 6 months a year due to landslides and snowfall. As for construction, the 1000 year old temple has a sabha mandap and a garbha griha that houses a conical lingam, unlike the cylindrical ones most commonly found elsewhere in Shiva temples. It is a general belief of pilgrims that praying here means the Lord will listen and grant boons. Bathing in the holy Mandakini that flows by the side of the temple is believed to wash away all sins. Badrinath Information Badrinath is the last leg of the Chardham yatra Badrinath is easier to access unlike Kedarnath. It is a developed town and one can find hotels in Badrinath for overnight stay. One of the 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu, the temple is located in Chamoli district on the banks of the Alaknanda River at a height of 3133 metres. It is said Lord Vishnu meditated for thousands of years and his consort, Devi Laxmi, wished to protect him and assumed the form of a Badri tree from whence the name Badrinath. Kedarnath is inhospitable but Badrinath is more welcoming and picturesque too with the Neelkantha peaks serving as the backdrop. Of the Chota char Dhams, Badrinath is unique in also being part of the greater char dham circuit comprising of Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram.
The temple opens around Akshay Tritiya some time at the end of April or beginning of May and remains open until just after Diwali when it closes for the winter and the idol is brought down to Joshimath. In order to reach Badrinath one can travel to Rishikesh and undertake the journey by road over a distance of 300 kilometres. It is advisable to carry packaged foods, water supply and woollens for the trek up to Badrinath from Ghangaria. Should you plan to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath you can also include nearby places of interest worth a visit? If you visit Badrinath you can take in Chamoli and you can also plan a trek to the Valley of Flowers. Kedarnath has its share of places worth a visit like the Gandhi Sarovar, Vasuki Tal, and Ukhimath. Some devotees make it a point to visit the Panch badris and the Panch Kedars according to their inclination. Regardless of the spiritual element you will be more than pleased with the beauties of Nature that abound in this area.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRead our Tour My India blog to find vacation packages or travel destinations in India. Tour My India Blog is one of the best Indian travel blog where people share their travel experience to various tourist destinations in India. Archives
December 2023
Categories |