Gaurikund - The Trekking Base to Kedarnath Char Dham Yatra

Many people who are planning to visit Char Dham Temples mailed Hindu Devotional Blog asking questions about the routes to Kedarnath Temple, where to stay in Kedarnath, and many related questions. Here you will find all the necessary info.

Gaurikund is the trekking base to Kedarnath Temple, one of the holiest among the Char Dham Temples as well as one of the 12 Jyothirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Gaurikund or Gauri Kund, located at an altitude of 1981 m (6498 ft) from sea level, is 5 km from Soneprayag (Son Prayag) and 220 km from Rishikesh. From Gaurikund Chardham yatris need to trek 14 km to reach Kedarnath Temple.

Being the trekking base to Kedarnath Shiva Temple, Gaurikund has lots of shops for pilgrims to buy religious products as well as necessary provisions for trek such as woolens, dry fruits, and puja products. There are also chemists with medicines and oxygen bottles & cylinders, so you need not have to worry about anything.

Religious Significance of Gaurikund

Gaurikund has a hot water spring by the same name and Chardham pilgrims make it a point to take a bath in the hot water before visiting the Kedarnath Shrine. It is believed that taking a holy dip in the holy pond will wash of all sins and a holy darshan of Kedarnath Shiva after that will fulfills all wishes of the devotees. Gaurikund also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati Devi, the Gauri Devi Temple. This is the place where Goddess Parvathi Devi meditated to attain Lord Shiva.

There is another thermal springs on the right bank of Mandakini, Garam Kund – an enclosed hot spring for women with separate dress changing rooms.

Accommodation Facilities in Kedarnath

Is there any places to stay in Kedarnath? This is the main question asked by pilgrims planning to visit Kedarnath Char Dham Temple. There are several hotels, lodges, dharamshala, and guest house facilities for Chardham pilgrims in Gaurikund. Hence devotees who wish to stay an overnight at Kedarnath won’t become a problem. After dharshan at Kedarnath Jyothirlinga Shrine you can stay at Gaurikund in the night and drive back to your place the next morning.

How to Reach Gaurikund

There are several routes to reach Gaurikund, Kedarnath. Gaurikund is well connected by road with Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kotdwara and many other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills.

Kilometer distances from different places to Gaurikund.

Rishikesh to Gaurikund - 220 km
Uttarkashi to Gaurikund — 248 km
Dehradun to Gaurikund - 236 km
Rudraprayag to Gaurikund – 76 km

Airport

Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the nearest airport, which is around 225 km from Gaurikund.

Railway Station

Rishikesh Railway Station around 220 km from Gaurikund and Kotdwara Railway Station (Kotdwar Railway Station) about 246 km from Gaurikund are the nearest railheads.

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Kedarnath Temple - Jyothirlinga Shrine in Uttarkhand
Gangotri Temple - Char Dham Temples
Yamunotri Temple - Char Dham Temples
Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand - Chardham Temples

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