Char Dham Yatra :

Facts about Kedarnath :
It's hard to imagine a more dramatic setting for a temple than Kedarnath, 223 Km north of Rishikesh, close to the source of the Mandakini at 3583m above sea leve, and overlooked by tumbling glaciers and huge bettresses of ice, snow and rock. Kedarnath -- the "field" (Kedara) where the crop of moksha (liberation) is sown -- is the most important shrine in the Himalayas, and among the major Shiva temples of all India. According to the Puranas (Hindu tales)when the pandavas were searching for Shiva to grant them absolution, they succeeded in tracking him down to Kedarnath, where he disguised himself as a bull in a herd of cattle. One of the brother, Bhim, then straddled the valley and allowed the herd to pass beneath him, reasoning that the only bull to refuse must be Shiva himself. Whn Shiva was unkasked, he dived into the ground; Bhim grabbed him from behind, and held on tight. however, all that remained of the god was his rear;his lingam appeared in Varanasi while assorted other pieces of his anatomy are commemorated by the panch Kedar temples. Kedarnath is the third of the sacred Char Dham sites, and as one of the India's twelve jyotirlinga - lingam of light -- attracts hordes of Hindu Pilgrims in the summer month. The area makes a refreshing change from the rocky and desolate valleys of west Garwhal, with lush hangins gorges, immaculately teraced hillsides and abundant apple orchards. Kedarnath is also a good base for short treaks to the beautiful lakes of Vasuki Tal and Gandhi sarovar.


Day 01 - HARIDWAR - GUPTAKASHI. 223kms. (Drive 9 - 10 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Guptakashi via Rudraprayag. Late Lunch en route at Srinagar. After lunch restart your journey and today for the first time see the river beautiful MANDAKINI. Travel along this to reach Guptakashi late in the evening. On arrival check in The Char Dham Camp, Guptakashi) located 2 kms out of town towards Gaurikund. Dinner and O/N at the The Chardham Camp.

Day 02 - GUPTAKASHI - KEDARNATH. ( Drive 32 kms trek 14 kms )
After breakfast pick up your packed Lunch and leave for Gaurikund (A 32 kms drive one way ) on arrival start your journey on the tough trek ahead. Stop for the lunch en route and restart after that to arrive by late afternoon. On arrival check in at Punjab & Sindh Awas. After freshening up perform Pooja and also Darshan at the Shri Kedarnath ji. In the evening also visit Adi Shankaracharya samadhi at the back of the temple. Dinner and overnight at Punjab & Sindh Awas.

Day 03 - KEDARNATH - GUPTAKASHI. (Trek 14 kms, drive 32 kms)
After breakfast start you journey back to Gaurikund and on arrival leave for Guptakashi by road to reach the Char Dham Camp by evening. Relax with Ayurvedic Massage. Dinner and overnight at The Chardham Camp, Guptakashi.

Day 04 - GUPTAKASHI - HARIDWAR. 223kms. (Drive 9 - 10 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Haridwar and on the way lunch (packed) & Tea/ Coffee at Srinagar. Restart and if time permits visit Devprayag (The confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi). Reach Haridwar & proceed for onward Journey.