After years of longing and months of planning, I finally found myself at Kedarnath in the year
2023. Kedarnath holds a special place in the heart of Lord Shiva, surrounded by the majestic
mountains, valleys, and the mighty Himalayas.
It was the monsoon season, and I embarked on a 2-dham yatra with my friends from Haridwar,
covering Kedarnath and Badrinath. We traveled in a Bolero as part of a 6-day package for the
2-dham yatra, and the six of us had a great time.
Our journey began as we left Haridwar and reached Sonprayag. From there, it was a 5-kilometer ride
to Gaurikund, which marked the starting point of our trek. We arrived in Gaurikund in the evening,
and I had booked a government facility there two months prior for our stay. After a good night's
rest, we needed to set off early at 4 am for the trek, which was going to be a long one,
especially after my previous experience at Kumara Parvatha.
In the chilly morning, Gaurikund offered a natural hot spring. We took three dips in the hot
spring to freshen up. Afterward, we geared up with our equipment and water bottles, well-prepared
for the 10-hour trek. We had a hot cup of tea with Parle-G biscuits and began our trek at 5 am.
The signboard reading "Kedarnath 21 km" filled me with excitement and determination.
As the clock neared 7 am, we could see the sun slowly illuminating the path, and mules and horses
were busy helping pilgrims on their way to the temple. The trail was well-constructed and
maintained for convenience, featuring a concrete path. Along the way, we encountered small
waterfalls, and we were serenaded by the melodious chirping of birds enjoying their morning
stroll. The towering mountains with lush greenery dwarfed those in the Western Ghats of Karnataka,
leaving me in awe.
After two hours of trekking, we came across food stalls, tea shops, and washrooms every 500
meters, offering much-needed comfort. We relished parottas and Maggi noodles, which tasted even
better with the hot steam mixing with the cold air. A river accompanied us throughout the journey,
its white, milky waters a constant presence.
Four hours into our hike, we reached a bridge where the Mandakini River flowed. This river
originates from behind the Kedarnath temple. We took pictures and enjoyed some tea and
refreshments to maintain our energy levels for the remaining 6 hours of the hike.
As time passed, our group naturally split up based on stamina. I couldn't wait for rest stops
every 15 minutes, so I continued ahead with two other companions. I led the way, captivated by the
limitless beauty and adventures that surrounded me. I captured some beautiful pictures for my
memories and even had video calls with my friends and family to share the breathtaking scenery.
The weather was quite unpredictable, so we had purchased plastic ponchos for 100 rupees each,
which came in handy during sudden rain showers and changes in the weather.
Gradually, I reconnected with one of my friends who was also trekking alone, and we continued
together. I inquired about the rest of our group, who were trailing behind. We found several
shortcuts that were a bit challenging but well worth the effort, as they allowed us to cut down on
travel time. On my journey, I had the incredible opportunity to encounter a bird of exquisite
elegance, known as the "Red-Billed Blue Magpie." This enchanting avian species can be found
spanning the breathtaking regions from the western Himalayas all the way to the eastern reaches of
China.
As time passed, I was greeted by the sight of the mighty black mountains with snow, the giant
Himalayas. That moment of first witnessing them was truly priceless. I saw a small opening through
the clouds, and the sight of the Himalayas was like heaven on Earth.
As we approached our destination, which was just 4 kilometers away, I witnessed a frozen ice
waterfall and parts covered in ice. The temperature dropped to around 7 degrees. After a long
trek, we reached the entrance of a small town, and from a distance, I could see the temple. I was
ecstatic to get closer.
We reached the entrance and continued into the bustling small town with stalls and people. After
passing through the entrance, I stood in front of the temple. My eyes filled with tears, and
goosebumps covered me. I placed my bag down unceremoniously, removed my shoes, and with my hands
in a prayerful position, I gazed at the temple door with a sense of peace and calmness. It felt
like I had accomplished something significant in life, meeting Lord Shiva. The temple door was
closed, and people were queued up for darshan. I knew that Lord Mahadeva was inside, and the mix
of spirituality and positivity was overwhelming.
One by one, my friends rejoined the group, exhausted after the 10-hour dream trek. We checked our
darshan booking time and slot and joined the queue. Inside the temple, I saw rock-carved idols on
the wall, including the five Pandavas from the Mahabharata. I proceeded further to witness the
beautifully decorated linga of Lord Shiva, a Jyotirlinga. It was a sight to behold, and I had
never seen such a beautiful deity and ambiance anywhere else. Witnessing the Kedarnath temple was
a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
We spent the night in Kedarnath, where the temperature dropped to 4 degrees. Finding warm water
was challenging as everything was extremely cold. Fortunately, we had a room with a heater and
thick blankets, and we enjoyed some quality time talking and laughing.
The next morning, we explored nearby places, including Shankaracharya's statue, Bheemshila (the
rock that protected Kedarnath temple during the 2013 flood), and Bhairav temple. The friendly dogs
with their thick fur and skin added to the joy of the experience.
After bidding a proper farewell to the town and temple and making our wishes, we started our
descent on an 8-hour trek back to Gaurikund.
Comments