Kedarnath Temple
Heart of the Kedar Valley, Kedarnath Temple is an extremely gorgeous and the most sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindu Devotees. It is one of the four divine Char Dhams of India. Devotees from all over the world come to seek divine blessings from Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Dham is the last point of Char Dham Yatra, a last point of spiritual quest for eternal peace. The architecture of Kedarnath temple is stunning, it is a 1000-year-old temple made out of giant stone slabs. The sculptures of various gods and goddesses in the inner walls of the temple is a sight to behold. It was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. During winters, the shrine of Lord Shiva is transferred to Ukhimath from Kedarnath Temple as the entire temple gets covered in snow. In the month of May the idol of Shiva is reinstalled in Kedarnath.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
Lying behind the sacred Kedarnath Temple is the Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya. It is said that he established the four sacred Dhams in India which have become the most sacred pilgrimage spots for the Hindu devotees. Thousands of devotees visit his grave to take holy blessings. He attained Nirvana at the age of 32 and merged with the pious land of Kedarnath. Guru Shankaracharya established the sacred Kedarnath Dham in the 8th century. There is a hot water spring near Kedarnath which is said to have been created by Adi Shankaracharya, it gives relief from the extreme weather of Kedarnath.
Rudra Cave Kedarnath
One and a half kilometers from the temple of Kedarnath is the most popular and sacred tourist attraction – Rudra Cave. It is an underground meditation cave built by the Nehru Mountaineering Institute. It is a peaceful spiritual retreat for meditation. The cave is constructed in Garhwali Style architecture. It offers all the basic facilities like bed, electricity, CCTV camera and attached toilet. The tea and food services and an attendant for 24 hours make the stay delightful. You won’t have any problem in doing meditation, this cave is extremely peaceful. From the cave you will also get to witness the sacred temples of Kedarnath and Bhairavnath. It is an ideal place for yoga and meditation. This cave became a popular point of tourist interest as our PM Narendra Modi visited and meditated in the cave.
Bhairav Temple
Located at the south of Kedarnath is the stunning and most important pilgrimage site- Bhairav Temple. It is one of the most popular religious destinations in Kedarnath. The temple is dedicated to Baba Bhairavnath who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. He is considered as the fiercest form of Lord Shiva associated with devastation. It is said that Lord Bhairavnath is the protector of Kedarnath Temple and the entire KedarValley. It is important to visit Lord Bhairav Temple if you are visiting Kedarnath temple as per the ritual. Apart from the religious importance, here you will be surrounded by the breathtaking views of Kedar valley and lofty Himalayan Peaks.
Gandhi Sarovar
Located on the foot of Kedarnath Peak and Kirthi Stambh, Gandhi Sarovar is a small scenic lake which is a mesmerizing sight to behold in Kedarnath. It is also known as Chorabari Tal. It is renamed as Gandhi Sarovar as some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed here. Located close to it is a cliff called Bhairava Jhamp, where people used to jump to get salvation but this practice was banned by the British government in the 19th century. You have to trek 3km to reach this fascinating lake. From the iron Bridge of the Kedarnath the trek goes through stunning Deodar and Oak forests and picturesque waterfalls like Madhu Ganga Waterfall. The trek is a journey of a series of delightful vistas of lofty Himalayan Peaks. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions to visit in Kedarnath.
Vasuki Tal Lake
Situated at an elevation of 14,200 m above the sea level, Vasuki Tal Lake offers impressive views of lofty Himalayan Peaks. It is one of the most visited Tourist destinations in Kedarnath. The lake is one of a kind. Just by viewing you will get serene vibes. Flowers like Brahma Kamal around the lake makes Vasuki Tal more gorgeous to look at. Apart from the soothing beauty, this lake has religious importance. According to a legend, in this lake Lord Vishnu took a bath which made the lake auspicious and divine. The lake is surrounded by beautiful terrains which also makes it an awesome place for trekking.
