Introduction:
Kedarnath is one of the most important Hindu pilgrims and is among the Char Dham Yatra. The pilgrim is a unique destination of spiritual, religious and adventurous. Kedarnath is surrounded by mountain ranges and one of the two most prominent adventure sports that takes place is rock climbing and trekking. The pilgrims or the tourists can undertake the trek to the Kedarnath Temple or the Chandrashila Peak. Gandhi Sarvar is a stopover and is 4 kilometers from the main town. There are many relaxation spots on the trek that one can enjoy these are as follows:
- Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath is one of the Char Dhams in the Hindu pilgrimage and is one of the holiest grounds. It is one of the most revered among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The devotees believe that the visit to this temple can free them from the cycle of life. There are various figures of the deities and scenes from mythology carved on the inner walls of the temple.
- Vasuki Tal
Vasuki Tal is a massive lake located in the Himalayas and is a treat for the trekkers. It is situated on the steep slopes and provides a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges and clear blue water which is surrounded by forest area and this makes the trek a fabulous adventure. This lake is frequently visited by pilgrims and tourists and is open for 24 hours.
- Sunset Point
The sunset point is a tourist attraction in Kedarnath and is an ideal place for a photogenic friend. The point is there for experiencing sunsets and is around the village Chopta which is known as the mini Switzerland. The sunset point is the commencement point of many hiking trails such as Tunganath and Chandrashila. One can witness scenic beauty and amazing views. The pilgrims to Kedarnath can plan for overnight camping and refreshments. The sight is a must visit and takes about 1 to 2 hours.
- Sonprayag
Sonprayag is situated at an elevation of 1829 metres and is a famous site where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi were married. The site is surrounded by natural beauty and snow capped peaks. This is a site where the River Mandakini meets River Basuki.
- Bhairavnath Temple
It is situated at a distance of 500 metres from the Kedarnath Temple on the southern side and it is enshrined by the revered Hindu God: Lord Bhairav and is located on top of hillock and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The deity of the temple is also known as the Kshetrapal or the guardian of the region and has a trishul for a weapon and dog as vehicle.
- Agastyamuni
This place is dedicated to Saint Agastya. The temple here commemorates the meditation done by him over here. The temple is quite ancient and is a great example of architecture and interior as the walls are adorned with art.
- Chorabari Lake
It is located at a distance of 3 kilometres from the Kedarnath Temple and is a lake which is also known as the Gandhi Tal. The lake is crystal clear and experiences a lot of tourists from far besides the regular devotees. The lake is a backdrop of the Himalayas and the lake is located at a height of 3,900 metres over the sea level and it originates from the Chorabari Bamak Glacier. The lake can be reached through a short trek from the Kedarnath Temple.
- Gaurikund
Gaurikund is a famous spot as it is a starting point of the famous Kedarnath Trek. The point is located at an altitude of 2,000 metres above sea level. There are a few important landmarks here which are known as the Gaurikund Temple and the Gauri Lake.
- Phata
Phata is a small village which is located in Rudraprayag and is known to be a stopover on the Kedarnath Yatra as the Phata Village or the Phata houses are known to be the helipad from where the helicopter to Kedarnath is available. It is a popular tourist attraction in Uttarakhand.
- Syalsaur
It is a small village which is located on the banks of the river Mandakini and is a tributary of the Alaknanda River. The village is located about 160 kilometres from Haridwar at an elevation of 820 metres above sea level. The hill station is a budding tourist attraction and is a part of the Rudraprayag district. It is also a village which is a paradise for bird lovers.
