Panch Kedar Yatra 2023

Many temples honoring various Hindu gods are scattered throughout the state of Uttarakhand. Five such respected temples where Lord Shiva is adored are situated in the state’s Garhwal area. These five temples—Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpnath—are generally referred to as Panch Kedar (panch means Five in Hindi).

The sculptures at these five places have a variety of mythological explanations. According to a popular myth, the entire length depicts the fabled hues of the Mahabharata, in which the Pandavas traveled to the Himalayas to meet Lord Shiva, who declined the meeting as a result of the Pandavas’ Gau Hatya and Brahmahatya offenses.

Portions of Lord Shiva’s body thought to have emerged at numerous places in the Himalaya as a bull are thought to have done so during the subsequent conflict.

The Panch Kedar in India is made up of the forelimbs that appeared at Pashupatinath in Nepal, the bull’s hump at Kedarnath, the torso with the abdomen at Madhyamaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the matted hair at Kalpeshwar.

This Panch Kedar Yatra program is for you if you like hiking and want to challenge your limitations. You’ll realize why Uttarakhand is known as the “true heaven” after taking this Panch Kedar vacation package, which offers the most breathtaking experience of a lifetime.

There are only a few spots in the globe where you can seek Lord Shiva’s darshan while also taking in the natural splendor, breathtaking peaks, and dawn and dusk.

Where is Panch Kedar?

The Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Kedarnath, and Neelkanth peaks, which are capped in snow, serve as the backdrop for the five shrines, which are located in the Upper Himalaya. The other temples are placed in the hills between the Mandakini valley and the Alaknanda canyon, whereas Kedarnath is positioned in the slope of the Mandakini River. With the exception of Rudranath, all of the shrines are out of the way locations that are still not reachable by motor vehicles.

The isolated northern area of the Garhwal Himalayas contains the settlement of Kedarnath, which is located on the foot of the Kedarnath peak. Several creeks run through the area below the Kedarnath temple, including the Dudhganga, Madhuganga, Saraswathi, and Swargduari.

In close proximity to Chopta, which is not far from Ukhimath, Tungnath offers a beautiful setting of the summits of Panchachuli, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Kedarnath, and Bandar Poonch. In a heavily forested section of the Urgam valley, Kalpeshwar is situated. Apple gardens and lush greenery with considerable potato cultivation may be seen in Urgam Valley. This valley is traversed by the Kalp Ganga River, an Alaknanda branch.

About Panch Kedar Yatra

Kedarnath

The Kedarnath temple, one of the five Kedar temples, is found in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district and is located against a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains and forests. The temple contains a Shiva lingam with a cone shape that is thought to represent Shiva’s hump. It is situated 3,584 meters above sea level. Gaurikund is the starting point for the approximately 19-kilometer ascent that leads to the Kedarnath shrine. One can complete the trek in 6-7 hours.

Tungnath

In the Rudraprayag area, at an altitude of 3,680 m, stands Tungnath, one of the highest Shiva Mandirs in the entire globe. It is said that Lord Shiva’s arms have appeared here. Travelers must make the easy 4 kilometer hike from Chopta to get here. You would be capable of seeing peaks like Nanda Devi, Chowkhamba, and Neelkanth while traveling.

Rudranath

At an elevation of 2,286 meters, in the midst of grasslands and dense rhododendron trees, there is a natural stone temple where Lord Shiva is revered as “Neelkanth Mahadev.” It is thought that this is where his face rose off the soil. Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, and Mana Kund are just a few of the revered kunds (pools) that surround the temple. There seem to be numerous hike paths that go to this shrine, and the majority of them begin in Gopeshwar village.

To reach this temple, take a 5-km vehicle trip to Sagar Village and then embark on an about 20-km hike. Another method involves a 3-km car trip to Gangolgaon and a 17-km uphill hike afterwards. Another option from Gopeshwar includes a 13-km trip to Mandal, then a 6-km hike to the Anasuya Devi shrine and another 20-km journey to the destination.

Madhmaheshwar

It is stated that the center or navel section of Shiva appeared in Madhyamaheswar, which is located at an elevation of roughly 3,289 meters. The temple is surrounded by the stunning snow-covered summits of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, and Neelkantha and is located in the gorgeous green meadow of the Mansoona hamlet in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Uniana, located about 18 kilometers from Ukhimath, is where the trek to Madhyamaheswar starts. After 3 kilometers of hiking, there are accommodations available in Ransi village, and 6 km further, in Gaundhar village. The journey is 19 kilometres long in total.

Kalpeshwar

The one and only Panch Kedar mandir that is accessible all year round is Kalpeshwar, which is the 5th and final shrine on the list of Panch Kedar historical sites. Within this shrine, Lord Shiva’s knotted hair is revered.

Kalpeshwar marks the conclusion of the Panch Kedar Trail. Sagar hamlet is connected by roadways to Helang, which is located 58 km away and from there jeeps may be rented until Urgam. The temple is accessible from Urgam by a few kilometers of hiking trails.

Panch Kedar Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Delhi to Haridwar(Around 210 kms)

On arriving, extend a warm greeting to the visitors and travel by surface to Haridwar. Arrive in Haridwar, then check into the hotel. After visiting Haridwar later, see the Ganga Aarti from “Har-Ki-Pauri” in the evening. Stay at the hotel overnight.

Day 2: Haridwar to Rudraprayag (Approx 165 kms)

Continue to Rudraprayag after breakfast, stopping along the route to see Devprayag, the origin of the Ganges, and the meeting point of the Alaknanda and Bhageerathi Rivers. Later, proceed to Rudrapryag and check into your hotel there. Go to Koteshwar Mahdev Temple in the evening. Stay at the hotel overnight. 

Day 3: Rudraprayag to Kedarnath Dham

Post breakfast, travel to Gaurikund and begin the journey to Kedarnath Ji (3584 meters above sea level), either on foot or at your own expense. Arrive in Kedarnath Ji, check into your hotel, and then go to the Kedarnath Temple. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi

Attend Kedarnath Temple in the morning, then hike down to Gaurikund and continue to Guptkashi. Arrive at Guptkashi and register at the hotel. Stay overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: Guptkashi to Gaundhar

Begin trip to Gaundhar post breakfast. Stay the night at Tents.

Day 6: Gaundhar to Madmaheshwar

Breakfast is followed by journey to Madhmaheshwar. Arrive in Madhyamaheshwar, register into a camp, and then go to the temple there (3490 mts). Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Madhyamaheshwar to Gaundhar

Begin your journey to Gaundhar following breakfast. Stay the night at Camps.

Day 8: Gaundhar to Ukhimath

Begin a 12-kilometer hike to Jagasu following breakfast, followed by a 16-kilometer driving to Ukhimath. Stay at hotel upon arriving. Stay the night at Camps.

Day 9: Ukhimath to Tungnath to Chopta

Travel to Chopta and begin the hike to Tungnath following breakfast. Hike back to Chopta after the pooja. Spend the night in a Nice hotel in Chopta.

Day 10: Chopta to Panargupha

Driving to Sagar and beginning the Panargupha hike following breakfast. Register in at Camps upon arriving. Stay the night at Campers.

Day 11: Panargupha to Rudranath

Begin the walk to Rudranath after breakfast while carrying a packed lunch. Check into the hotel Camps upon departure. Spend the night at Camps.

Day 12: Rudranath to Dumuk

Start your hike to Dumuk with a lunch box post breakfast. Register at Camps upon arrival. Spend the night in a camp.

Day 13: Dumuk to Kalpeshwar Mahadev

Start your walk to Kalpeshwar Mahadev after breakfast and also pack a lunch. Register at Camps upon arrival. Spend the night in a camp.

Day 14: Kalpeshwar Mahadev to Rudraprayag

Have your breakfast early, and start your hike to Helang, then proceed to Rudraprayag. Che heCck-in at hotel upon arrival. Spend your night in a hotel.

Day 15: Rudraprayag to Rishikesh

Make your way to Rishikesh after breakfast. Check into the hotel after arriving. After visiting Laxman Jhulla, Ram Jhulla, Bharat Mandir, Triveni Ghat, and other sites in Rishikesh, tourists can attend the Ganges Aarti from Parmarth Ashram in the evening. Spend your night in a hotel.

Day 16: Rishikesh to your homes

Afterwards, travel to Delhi or your respective homes. Transfer the visitors to the airports or train station in Delhi upon arrival so they can catch their next flight or train, and the tour is then complete.

Things you should carry for the Panch Kedar Yatra

• Warm clothing such as full-sleeved sweaters, woollen caps, thermal underwear, socks, mittens, and scarves.
• Comfy attire, such as t-shirts, jeans, etc.
• To stay dry during rain or snow, wear a raincoat or poncho.
• Trekking poles (not compulsory).
• Mountaineering or trekking boots.
• Bottles of water.
• Lip balms, skin ointments, sunscreen lotion, and a first aid kit with essential pharmaceuticals.
• Flashlights or torches with extra batteries and bulbs.
• Towels and personal hygiene products.