Badrinath And Kedarnath Tour
Do Dham Yatra to Badrinath and Kedarnath though dangerous and strenuous is rewarding more ways then one. Both these places are located high up in the mountains of Uttaranchal and are dedicated to Shiva. These places offer ample opportunities for both trekkers and pilgrims to fulfill their wishes. The road traversed is full of deep bends, gorges, snow clad mountains and zig zag valleys.
Day 02 - Delhi / Haridwar : By Train
Haridwar / Rishikesh:
You will be traveling by train to Haridwar from Delhi. Take rest for a couple of hours before you venture out to see the evening's aarti by the river side. It is one of the best rites performed by the devotees in the holy water of the Ganges. The prayers, bells and chant of the devotees all accumulate to create a wonderful resonance in the air.
Haridwar : Haridwar is regarded as the Gateway to the Gods. Significantly enough it is also the starting pilgrim point to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttaranchal. This throbbing town lies at the right bank of the sacred Ganges and on the foothills of the Shiwalik mountains. Kumbh mela is held here every 12 years. The evening aarti of the thousands of devotees in the Ganges is one of the main charms of the city.
Temples & Sight Seeing - Visit Har ki Pauri which is the most sacred bathing ghats here. Kumbh mela is held here every 12 years and Ardh Kumbh after every 6 years. The Arya Vanaprasth Ashram, Daksh Prajapati temple and Sati Kund also makes for interesting sight seeing. Bhimgoda Kund and the different ashramas like Paramrth Ashrama, Sapth Rishi and Sadhu Bela Ashram are other places of interests.
Drive to Rishikesh from Haridwar .
Day 03 : Rishikesh - Rudraprayag (160 Kms /5 hrs):
Morning visit Haridwar Local Sight Seeing, later drive to Rudraprayag and enroute visit Devprayag. Check in Hotel, Overnight stay.
Rudraprayag : It is taken to be the confluence of the Mandakini River from Kedarnath and the Alokananda River from Badrinath. This is the point where the road branches off to both the shrines. The visitors in Rudraprayag climb a long flight of steps to see this enchanting site. Temples: Rudranath and Chamunda Devi, Koteshwar Temple (3 Kms).
Day 04: Rudraprayag - Kedarnath (75 Kms by road & 14 Kms Trek):
Morning drive to Gaurikund, Trek start from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584 mts) on foot or on by pony / Doli. Since the journey is strenuous and dangerous it is advisable to carry medicines, dark tinted glares and a good pair of trekking shoes. Also carry dry food items. Avoid smoking as the air becomes rarified as you climb uphill. Check in a clean lodge assigned by the tour agency. Later visit Kedarnath Temple. Overnight stay.
The Kedarnath shrine overlooks the Mandakini valley in all its glory. It is one of the most sacred places in India that is dedicated to Shiva. The whole background is filled with snow clad peaks and deep gorges. The stone shrine lies at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level. The temple has a gilded pinnacle which is viewable from a great distance ahead. If you appear from Garurchatti, the majestic temple starts to appear. The imposing architecture with massive stone slabs leaves you dumfounded for a moment. The ancient Gangotri glacier surrounds it.
Gaurikund : Gaurikund is considered to be the base for trekking in Kedarnath. It is situated at a height of 1981 meters and lies 5 kilometers from Sonprayag. According to Hindu mythology Parvati meditated here for 100 years to win the consort of Lord Shiva. Take a leisurely walk to the ancient tempe of Gauri Mai housing metallic idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Another interesting thing you get to see in Gaurikund are the sulphurous tanks. One hot water tank consists of sulphur traces and the cold water tank changes its color many times in a day. The temple of Sirkata Ganesha half a kilometer from here is another important pilgrim point.
Day 05 : Kedarnath - Rudraprayag (14 Kms Down Trek & 75kms / 3hrs by Road):
Early morning, after Temple Darshan trek down to Gaurikund. Later, drive to Rudraprayag enroute to Guptkashi where Shiva is said to have hidden from the Pandavas. Check in Hotel at Rudraprayag. Overnight Stay.
Day 06 : Rudraprayag - Badrinath (165 Kms/7 hrs):
Drive to Badrinath via Joshimath. Check in Hotel. Later at evening visit Badrinath Temple for Aarti. Overnight stay.
Badrinath : No pilgrimage is supposed to be complete without a trek to Badrinath. This beautiful 15.25 meters tall shrine on the right bank of Alokananda River is the coveted pilgrim points of many devotees. The Nara Parvat looming almost directly ahead is said to contain the treasure trove of the Gods. There are many places in close proximity to the temple. Take a leisurely stroll through the many spots but be extra careful as the road is dangerous.
Tapt Kund : Natural thermal springs on the bank of the river Alaknanda., Pilgrims take a holy dip here before entering the sanctified shrine.
Narad Kund : A recess in the river, near Tapt Kund, forming a pool from where the Badrinath idol was recovered.
Brahama Kapal : This flat platform on the bank of River Alokananda is used to perform the last rites of the deceased.
Sheshnetra : 1.5kms. Away is a boulder having an impression of the legendary serpent, better known as the Sheshnag's eye.
Charanpaduka : 3kms. away is a beautiful meadow where the footprint of Lord Vishnu is seen on a boulder.
Mata Murty Temple : Devoted to the mother of Sri Badrinathji. Other important temples include Sesh Netra Temple, Urvashi Temple and Charanpaduka.
Mana Village : Interestingly this is the last Indian village before you trespass in Tibetan boundary. The inhabitants are a mix breed of Indo Mongolian tribe.
Vasundhara : As the name suggests, Vasundhara is a magnificent water fall.
Bhim Pul : On the other side of Mana village, a massive rock forming a natural bridge lies over the roaring Saraswati River. It presents a spectacular view of water thundering down through the narrow passage under the rock and is believed to have been placed there by Bhim, the second eldest among the five Pandava brothers.
Vyas Gufa (cave) : Near Mana Village, this is a rock-cave where Ved Vyas is believed to have composed the Mahabharata and the pauranic commentaries.
Day 07 : Badrinath - Joshimath (44 Kms/3 hrs):
Joshimath situated on the slopes above the meeting point of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga is taken to be the halting place for the pilgrims on way to Badrinath or returning from there. You can visit the ancient temple of Narasimha here who is considered to be an incarnation of Vishnu. According to mythology and legend this ideal is said to be thinning every year. When it finally breaks the road to Badrinath will be cut off from the rest of the world by a land slide.
Day 08 : Joshimath - Rishikesh (254 kms/8 hrs):
Early morning, visit Narsingh Temple & Shankracharaya Math. Later, Drive back to Rishikesh. Check in Hotel. Overnight stay.
Rishikesh situated on the bank of the River Ganges is supposed to be the sanctuary of yogis and sages through the centuries. It is one of the main pilgrim centers of India and the base from wherein you can start your journey to the Do Dham Yatra in Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Go out for a leisurely sightseeing here Start with the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev which is situated at an altitude of 1550 meters above sea level.
Raghunath temple is said to be the tank where Lord Rama took bath. Triveni Ghat is the confluence of the Three River namely Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The hanging Jute rope of Laxman Jhula about 3 kilometers from Rishikesh makes for a interesting sight.
Day 09 : Rishikesh - Haridwar
Haridwar - Delhi (By Train):
Morning, visit Rishikesh Local Sight seeing & Temples. After noon on time assistance and transfer to Haridwar railway station to board train to Delhi by Shatabdi express (Dep 1813/Arr 2245 Hrs). On arrival assistance and transfer to International airport to board flight for onward destinations.
Day 10 : Departure from Delhi.
Indianholiday.com provides online information and online booking for Pilgrimage tours and trekking in Uttaranchal.
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