Kedarnath is a town located in the Rudraprayag district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Kedarnath is known for its famous Kedarnath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Kedarnath Temple is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, and is one of the four sacred shrines in Hinduism's Char Dham Yatra. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas, as per Hindu mythology. It is also believed that Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher, had visited the temple in the 8th century and restored it.
Kedarnath is accessible by road, but the last 16 kilometers (10 miles) have to be covered on foot or on horseback due to the steep and narrow terrain. The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 238 kilometers (148 miles) away from Kedarnath. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh, which is about 216 kilometers (134 miles) away from Kedarnath.
Apart from the Kedarnath Temple, the town of Kedarnath also offers scenic views of the Himalayan range and is a popular trekking destination. The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located near the town, is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including musk deer, snow leopards, and Himalayan black bears.
However, in 2013, Kedarnath was hit by a catastrophic flash flood, which caused significant damage to the town and the surrounding areas. The Kedarnath Temple, along with many other buildings, was damaged or destroyed by the flood. The town has since been rebuilt and restored, and the Kedarnath Temple is now open for devotees once again.
Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level and is located in the Himalayas. Kedarnath is known for its ancient temple, the Kedarnath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kedarnath Temple is one of the four shrines in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand, which also includes Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era and is considered one of the holiest places for Hindus. It is located near the Mandakini River and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
To reach Kedarnath, one has to undertake a trek of approximately 14 km from Gaurikund. The trek is considered challenging due to the steep gradient and high altitude. However, ponies and palanquins are available for those who cannot undertake the trek on foot.
Kedarnath is also known for its scenic beauty and is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts. The town offers activities such as trekking, mountaineering, and camping. The area is surrounded by several trekking trails that lead to nearby peaks, such as Kedarnath Peak, Kedartal, and Vasuki Tal.
In 2013, Kedarnath was hit by severe floods and landslides that caused significant damage to the town and the temple. The disaster claimed several lives and caused massive destruction to the region. Since then, the government and the local administration have taken measures to improve infrastructure and safety for pilgrims and tourists visiting the town.
Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas. The town is famous for the Kedarnath Temple, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located near the Mandakini river and is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.
The town of Kedarnath is accessible by foot and is only open to visitors during the summer months from April to November. During the winter months, the town is inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 239 km (148 miles) away. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh, which is about 216 km (134 miles) away.
Apart from the Kedarnath Temple, the town also offers some breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges, including the Kedarnath peak, which is the highest peak in the region. There are several trekking routes that originate from Kedarnath, including the Kedarnath-Badrinath trek, which is a popular pilgrimage route.
In 2013, Kedarnath and the surrounding areas were devastated by severe flooding and landslides, which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and massive damage to infrastructure. However, efforts have been made to rebuild and restore the town, and it continues to be an important pilgrimage site for millions of devotees from all over India and the world.
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