HAR HAR MAHADEV
There were preparations to go to this divine place in May 2023 but due to the natural disaster there, the family members refused. Finally, I and my aunt’s sons and their friends leave from Subedarganj station of Prayagraj on 15th September.
We all reach Haridwar on 16th and start the journey by cab.
Devprayag Sangam falls on the way, whose beautiful view is seen in the morning. I took a picture as we passed by at night, The first destination of all of us was Shri Kedarnath Dham , the journey on foot starts from Gaurikund.
After trekking 22 kilometers in about 8 hours, we reached the divine abode Shri Kedarnath Temple. On reaching there, one gets a divine feeling. This temple is situated in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand district. Every year lakhs of devotees come here to visit. Horses and mules are also used to reach here for those who are unable to walk.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is considered the god of destruction of the universe. It is one of his main 12 Jyotirlingas. This temple was built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in the eighth century. To pay his respect, a statue of his has also been installed in Kedarnath Dham. The climate here remains cold and is covered with snow in winter. The doors of the temple are opened from April to November.
Photography is prohibited inside the temple, after seeing Shivalinga one gets a divine experience and feels that power. According to the Puranas, Pandavas went to heaven from this place. There is a pond behind the temple. It is believed that they went from this pond. This Dham is one of the Panch Kedars. It is believed that the Shivalinga established here is the back of Lord Shiva and whose front part is in the Pashupatinath temple of Nepal. It is amazing.
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Rishikesh is the nearest railway station to reach here but mostly the number of trains going to Haridwar is more. Trains come to Haridwar from many parts of India. After that you have to travel to Gaurikund, which you can also do by cab or bus.If the number of buses is less then people go by sharing cabs.The trek starts from Gaurikund.Gaurikund has the temple of Gauri Mai where there is a hot water pool where people take bath and start the journey.
If you want, you can also go by helicopter, but for that, tickets have to be booked many days in advance and sometimes their flights are canceled due to lack of suitable weather.
During the climb of about 22 kilometers, you get a chance to see various ridges of nature. Passing through places like Ram Bada Lincholi, Chhoti Lincholi etc., you reach Shri Kedarnath Dham.
Location - Haridwar Railway Station
Location - Haridwar Bus Stand
Location - Gauri Mai Temple
Location - Shri Kedarnath Dham
Location - Devprayag Sangam
Location - Shri Bhairav Nath Ji
Location - Mandakini Bridge
Location - Adi Guru Shankaracharya
Follow to know further travelogue. Thanks Har Har Mahadev.
I will try to post the second part for you all soon.