Anvi
Nidhi Staff answered 3 months ago
When visiting Kedarnath, there are several nearby attractions that you can explore. Here are some notable ones along with relevant details for first-time visitors:
1. Badrinath
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 218 km by road.
Attractions:
Badrinath Temple: One of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Tapt Kund: A hot water spring near the temple.
Neelkanth Peak: Offers a stunning view of the snow-covered peak.
How to Reach: Travel by road via Rudraprayag, Joshimath, and Govindghat.
2. Guptkashi
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 32 km by road.
Attractions:
Vishwanath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Ardhnareshwar Temple: Unique half-man, half-woman deity.
Manikarnika Kund: A sacred pond where the two streams of the Ganges and Yamuna meet.
How to Reach: Accessible by road from Gaurikund.
3. Triyuginarayan Temple
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 25 km.
Attractions:
Temple: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, believed to be the place where Lord Shiva and Parvati got married.
Akhand Dhuni: Eternal flame that is said to have been burning since the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
How to Reach: Accessible via road from Guptkashi or Sonprayag.
4. Sonprayag
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 19 km.
Attractions:
Confluence of Rivers: The meeting point of the Basuki and Mandakini rivers.
Temple: Small but significant local temples.
How to Reach: Accessible by road from Gaurikund.
5. Gaurikund
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 16 km.
Attractions:
Gauri Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
Hot Springs: Believed to have healing properties.
How to Reach: Accessible by road, serves as the base camp for the trek to Kedarnath.
6. Chopta
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 62 km.
Attractions:
Tungnath Temple: The highest Shiva temple in the world.
Chandrashila: Offers a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
Deoria Tal: A high-altitude lake.
How to Reach: Travel by road via Guptkashi.
7. Rudraprayag
Distance from Kedarnath: Approx. 74 km.
Attractions:
Confluence: The meeting point of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
Rudranath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Koteshwar Temple: A cave temple on the banks of the Alaknanda.
How to Reach: Accessible by road, on the way to Kedarnath.
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors:
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October.
Accommodation: Basic guesthouses and lodges are available in Gaurikund and other nearby towns.
Trekking: The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is around 16 km. Ensure you are physically prepared for a steep and challenging hike.
Clothing: Wear layers and carry warm clothing as the weather can be unpredictable.
Permits: Obtain necessary permits and register at the base camp.
Health Precautions: Acclimatize yourself to the altitude and carry any necessary medication.
Local Cuisine: Try local Garhwali food available at dhabas and small eateries.
Respect: Follow local customs and respect religious sentiments.
Visiting these attractions along with Kedarnath will provide a comprehensive spiritual and natural experience of the region.