Best Destinations around Kedarnath
About Kedarnath
In the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India is the town and Nagar Panchayat of Kedarnath, which is best known for the Kedarnath Temple. Rudraprayag, the district’s administrative center, is roughly 86 kilometers away. . The fourth and farthest away of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage locations is Kedarnath.
At the Chorabari Glacier, which is where the Mandakini River gets its start, it is situated in the Himalayas at a height of roughly 3,583 meters (11,755 feet). The Kedarnath Mountain, which is the town’s most noticeable neighbor, is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The closest road head is located in Gaurikund, which is 16 miles away. In June 2013, flash floods brought on by excessive rains in the state of Uttarakhand severely damaged the town.
Since ancient times, Kedarnath has served as a major destination for pilgrims. The Mahabharata’s Pandava brothers are credited with building the shrine. Kedarnath, however, is not mentioned in the Mahabharata. One of the first references to Kedarnath is found in the Skanda Purana, which was written in the seventh or eighth century and describes Kedara (Kedarnath) as the spot where Lord Shiva discharged the Ganges River’s sacred waters from his matted hair.
Around Kedarnath, there are a lot of popular tourist attractions, but there are also a lot of lesser-known places that only a very small number of people are aware of.
The following list includes some lesser-known destinations:
- Sonprayag
- Augustmuni
- Triyuginarayan Temple
- Kalimath Temple
- Deoria Tal
Sonprayag
One of the most well-liked spiritual tourism attractions is Sonprayag, which is on the way to Kedarnath Dham. It is located where the Basuki and Mandakini holy rivers converge. It is believed that taking a sacred bath in a river will grant its followers salvation. Sonprayag is notable for its religious significance as well as its breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas and verdant valleys.
The heavenly and tranquil feelings will transport you to the trance realm. Sonprayag is a tiny village located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, 4 km from Gaurikund, 18 km from Kedarnath, and 70 km from Rudraprayag It’s located at a height of 1829 measures. On the way to Kedarnath Dham lies the religiously significant position of Sonprayag. Sonprayag is located at the convergence of the two holy gutters Basuki and Mandakini.
On the way to Kedarnath Dham lies the religiously significant location of Sonprayag. Sonprayag is located at the confluence of the two sacred rivers Basuki & Mandakini. Prayag means confluence. People frequently hold the notion that taking a dip in the river will wash their sins away.
Sonprayag is a popular tourist destination since it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The snow-capped mountains and river streams give this peaceful setting a tremendous beauty. The location of Triyuginarayan, the alleged site of Lord Shiva and Parvati’s wedding, lies at a distance of 10 km from Sonprayag.
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Augustmuni
Augustmuni, a little village in the picturesque Rudraprayag region, is well-known for housing the temple of a great sage named Augusta. The sage gave the town of Augustmuni its name. The location of the temple served as Sage Augusta’s site of worship in the past. A different name for it is Agasteshwar Mahadev Temple
Locals refer to the Agastyamuni temple as Agasteshwar Mahadev. Hindu gods and goddesses have been depicted on the temple’s walls in stone carvings. The fairs that the locals host in the town are also well-known. Agastyamuni serves as the host of a sizable fair that is held during the Baisakhi festival.
Saint Augusta is said to have utilized this location in Rudraprayag as his asylum where he would sacrifice his austerities to the Lord. According to legend, the temple was once submerged under water and reduced to ruins. Then, a local saw it in his dream.
Devotees adore and bow down to the deity throughout this fair. In addition, they come in droves to observe the Baisakhi celebration. It bears the name of Hindu/Yogic Siddhar Agastya, one of the original seven rishis or Saptarishi, and is situated 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the city of Rudraprayag. Augustmuni is home to Maharshi Priya Ranjan’s temple, a significant religious location, and Kedernath, a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site, is just 72 kilometers (44.7 miles) away.
Triyuginarayan Temple
One of the main pilgrimage tourism sites in Uttarakhand is the Triyuginarayan Temple, which is located in Rudraprayag. Your heart will be taken aback by the majestic Himalayan Peaks all around and the stunning Garhwal region’s scenery. The main draw in this area is the Triyuginarayan Temple, which is devoted to Lord Vishnu.
In front of Lord Vishnu, where the celestial marriage of Lord Shiva and Lady Parvati took place, the Triyuginarayan temple was created in his honor. A testament to the marriage is the Brahma Shila in front of the temple. Rudra Kund, Vishnu Kund, and Brahma Kund are three revered kunds that are close to the temple. It is lucky to take a holy bath in one of these kunds before going into the temple. It is also claimed that the pious kunds have therapeutic qualities.
The uninterrupted light in front of the temple, which is a unique feature of the Triyuginarayan temple, never goes out. As a result, the temple is sometimes referred to as “Akhand Dhuni Temple”. Since Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati’s union, the divine light is said to have been burning. Triyugi was the name given to this temple since this holy light had been shining here for three ages.
Triyuginarayan Temple’s architecture is comparable to that of Kedarnath Temple. This temple draws a lot of followers because it resembles the Kedarnath temple identically. “Akhand Dhuni Temple” is another name for the current shrine. It is thought that Adi Shankaracharya created it. Many of the temples in the Uttarakhand region are linked to Adi Shankaracharya. A 2-foot statue of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi can be found at the temple.
Kalimath Temple
Uttarakhand is constantly appertained to as the home of Gods and Goddesses since it’s dotted with numerous sanctuaries and passage spots. And Kalimath Temple, one of Uttarakhand’s many holy places, is quite well-known. The Rudraprayag district’s Kalimath Temple, which is surrounded by the Kedarnath Mountains, is located close to the Saraswati River’s banks around 13 km north of Guptkashi.
The tabernacle, which is devoted to Goddess Kali, is one of the most popular religious sightseer destinations in Rudraprayag and is positioned at a height of roughly 1463 measures above ocean position. The Kalimath Temple is considered to be one of the 108 Shakti Peethas according to the Srimad Devi Bhagwat Mahapuran. Not only has that, but the Skanda Purana’s chapter 62 also made reference to this ancient temple in Uttarakhand.
The Kalimath temple’s prominence is emphasized in ancient legends, along with the deity who resides there. In accordance with one of these folktales, Goddess Kali appeared in Kalimath as a 12-year-old girl in order to slay the demons Nishumbha and Raktabija. Goddess Kali retreated below here after defeating the demons and preserving the universe.
That area, which eventually becomes a ditch, is revered. Also, a silver plate is always kept over the area, and it is only taken off during the yearly Navratri festival. This silver platter is revered as a holy representation of Goddess Kali since it is viewed as sacred. One of the most potent temples, and one that possesses Shakti force, is the Kalimath temple, so the legend goes. It is the sole location where Goddess Mata Kali, her sisters Mata Lakshmi & Mother Saraswati are located.
Deoria Tal
On the Ukhimath-Chopta route in Uttarakhand, about 3 km away from the villages of Mastura & Sari, is Deoria Tal (also written Devaria or “Deoriya”), a lake that can be reached by ascending a hill. At a height of around 2438 meters, it is surrounded by highly forested, rich green landscapes and snow-capped mountains.
It is a tranquil lake that is well-known for its captivating reflections of the Chaukhamba Mountains in the glistening water. Devatas (gods) are thought to have taken baths in Deoria Tal in the past. The abundance of stars in the night sky can be so overwhelming that it can make you forget about everything else. Deoria Tal is located in the Rudraprayag area of Uttarakhand, about 2 kilometers by foot from Sari Village.
Around 13 kilometers in advance of Ukhimath sits the Sari Village. The real world and the lake’s reflections of the picturesque surrounds are the two most memorable experiences at Deoria Tal. Deoriya Tal is a natural wonder. Devariya Tal is the greatest option if you genuinely want to take in or feel the beauty of nature. Due to your fascination with nature and the thrill of trekking, one must visit the Devoriya Tal.
This lake’s name comes from the Hindu belief that the Devas bathed there. The lake is also thought to represent the “Indra Sarovar” that wandering Hindu mendicants, Sadhus, refer to in the Puranas. It is also thought to have been the location from which Yaksha questioned the powerful Pandavas.
Conclusion
The Kedarnath passage gives the pleasure of a religious center and the fizzes of a beautiful sightseer destination. It’s notorious for the old tabernacle devoted to Lord Shiva. A peaceful position that’s explosively related to the important Pandavas retains a lovely legend of its own. Visit Kedarnath and other neighboring locales for an inconceivable life experience.
FAQs related to lesser known destinations around Kedarnath
1. What time is ideal for traveling to Kedarnath Dham?
The month of May, when the temple reopens, is the ideal time to travel to Kedarnath. You can also go to Kedarnath in September or October when there are fewer tourists.
2. What are the most well-liked places to visit in and near Kedarnath?
Popular tourist destinations in and near Kedarnath include:
Gandhi Sarovar, Phata, Gaurikund Temple, Sonprayag, Vasuki Tal, Sankaracharya Samadhi, Bhairav Temple and Rudra cave
3. Is it secure to travel to Kedarnath?
Because to the severe weather, getting to Kedarnath is challenging. Kedarnath is not safe to visit during the monsoon since the roads are vulnerable to landslides and flooding. Moreover, Kedarnath is inhospitable to visit from November through February because of the snow.
