Char Dham Yatra 2023: Enchanting Places To Visit On Your Way Around Kedarnath

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Kedarnath is a world-famous pilgrimage complex that is situated in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. One can find about 12 tourists destinations in Kedarnath regin alone, each of which is a hidden gem amongst tour worthy places. After visiting Kedarnath, you can trek down or travel to these places which draw you away from the spiritual world for a while.

Vasuki Tal Lake

Vasuki Tal is a high glacial lake situated at of 14,200 feet above sea level in Kedarnath. Exotic rare and unknown variety of flowers like Brahma Kamal from Himachal grow around this lake. During winters, this lake is known to freeze completely. As per the legends, Lord Vishnu, had a holy dip in these waters on the day of Rakshabandhan. One has to pass through chaturanga and Vasuki glaciers to reach the lake. Since the glaciers are full of ravines, and difficult to traverse through, trekkers in a group of 6 each team together to travel up till here.

Triyuginarayan Temple

Triyuginarayan Located in the Rudraprayag district at an elevation of 1,980 m, it is a dreamy locale, and a famous wedding destijnation where budget friendly weddings are conducted. Originally it is famous as a temple where Lord Shiva married Parvati. There is a holy fire or homagni infront of the temple which is known to be . burning since the time of marriage between Shiva and Parvati. The temple also houses four kunds of therapeutic properties in its vicinity. Since there is as belief that any marriage that happens here is going to last long and happy, Triyuginarayan temple has become a famous wedding destination off late.

Guptkashi

Gupt Kashi is on route to Kedarnath, located near the Mandakini river at an elevation of 1319 mts. . Mandakini river valley has a legendary reputation for its blooming champak or magnolia flowers that add a mesmerising fragrance to the air especially during early summer when they bloom to their fullest. Located amidst the towering snow ridden peaks of Chaukhamba. There are several temples like Vishwanath temple and Ardhanarishwar temple here. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Manikarnika kund, located here, is where the streams of Ganga and Yamuna meet. There is also a helipad just 14 away from Guptkashi namely Phata, that conducts helicopter services to Kedarnath.

Kalimat Almora

Kalimat is a small village in Hawalbag, about 5 kilometers from Almora, surrounded by a thick jungle full of pines and oaks.. The well-known Kalimath Temple is located on the banks of the Saraswati River in the Himalayas, in the Rudraprayag district. This temple has no idol of the Goddess; instead, a Kundi which is covered with shree yantra is worshpiped.. A divine rock known as Kali Shila which is about 8 kilometers from Kalimath temple contains Mahakali Mata's footprints.

Ukhimath

Situated at an altitude of 1317 mts above sea level in Rudraprayag district, Ukhimath or Okhimath is home to Lord Kedarnath and Madhyamaheswar temples during winters. Ukhimath is mainly inhabited by the Rawal's who are the head priests (pundits) of Kedarnath. Worship is performed at the Omkareshwar Temple here during winters, as the kedarnath temple is closed during winters.

Chandrashila Trek

Chandrashila is nothing but the summit of the peak of Chandranath parvat which houses the Tungnath temple of the Panch Kedar complex of temples. Located at an elevation of 4000 m above the sea, it is known as per legends, as the place where Lord Ram meditated after the Ravanasura Samhara in Lanka.

Augustmuni

Augustmuni, a small town in the Rudraprayag, has a temple for Agastya Muni who is believed to have a Gurukul here. Situated On the banks of river Mandakini, Augustmuni is a very important part of the char dham yatra as it houses a helipad for the helicopter tours from where the chardham trips are undertaken.

Gopeshwar

The headquarters of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Gopeshwar is located at a height of 1300 meters above sea level... According to local lore, the name of the town, is derived out of a meeting of Lord Shiva with Lord Krishna in this spot where Lord Krishna called Lord Shiva by the name of Gopeshwar and the reason was that Lord Shiva had appeared before him in the form of a Gopika. .The pahadi cuisine that is served here is known to be very delicious. Vaitarni Kund, is another place of historical importance here.

Joshimath

Nestled in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the sacred town of Joshimath which is nicknamed as Jyotirmath is in the Garhwal regions. The town of Joshimath is where, in winters, Lord Badri is brought down from the Badrinath temple to Vasudeva temple at Joshimath. It is a nations favourite pilgrimage centre that has held millions of devotees captive in its entrancing beauty and pious aura.