According to legend the Pandavas set out to Benaras to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone for their sins after their battle of Mahabharatha. In order to test their perseverance towards liberation, Lord Shiva repeatedly eludes them. The Pandavas finally trace him down in the Himalayas, where Shiva was hiding in the disguise of a bull amongst other cattle in a valley. When Bheem, the strongest among the Pandava brothers recognizes Shiva in the form of the bull and grabs him by the hump, Shiva sinks into the ground and disappears leaving his hump behind. Pleased with their tenacity and perseverance Lord Shiva gives them Darshan (divine sight) and advises them to worship his hump as His symbol to atone for their sins. The Pandavas built a temple at this spot, which is today famous as Kedarnath.
When Shiva disappeared into the ground the hump came to be worshipped as Kedarnath remaining parts of his body are said to have emerged at four other places; the arms at Tungnath, the face/mouth at Rudranath, the navel at Madmaheshwar and the matted locks at Kalpeshwar. All these five spots are together known as the Panch Kedar.
Tungnath is situated at an altitude of 3,680mts is one of the heighest temples in the Uttaranchal. It is one of the five temples of Lord Shiva known as the "PANCH KEDAR" where his arms are worshipped. The spectacular Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and the Gangotri- Yamunotri peaks add to the splendor.
Rudranath is situated at an altitude of 2,2,86mts. Lord Shiva's face and mouth are worshipped here. The trek passes through wild orchards and picturesque bugyals (high altitude medows) and involves traversing high ridges. The temple provides magnificent views of Hathi Parvat, Nanda Devi, Nanda Gunti, Trishuli and many other peaks.
The trek passes through the Anusuya Devi Asharam. As per legend it was at this spot where Lord Dattatreya was born. From Anusuya ashram a 1 km trek takes one to Atri Munis cave. The cave is access able through a very steep and narrow ledge. the cave is bordered by a huge and cold water fall of the Amrit Ganga. As per legend Atri Muni cooled down the heat generated from tapas (penance) by sitting under this freezing cold waterfall.
Madameshwar is situated on a ridge at an altitude of 3289mts 25 kms North East of Uttarkashi. There is a confluence of the Madhmaheshwar Ganga and the Markanga Ganga at Gaundhar the last settlement before the temple where the navel of Lord Shiva is worshipped as Madhmaheshwar.
The trek to Madmaheswar provides one with an unparalleled view of the Chaukhamba. Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks.
Kalpeshwar is situated in the Urgam valley at an altitude of 2134mts. The matted locks of Lord Shiva are worshipped here.
|
Duration
:15Nights
& 16Days |
|
Best
Season : May to October |
|
Voyages
of self discovery – Panch Kedar
Yatra |
|
Day |
Drive
(KM) |
Trek
(KM) |
Altitude
(MTS) |
From |
To |
Accommodation |
|
1 |
24
KMS |
-- |
356
MTS |
Pick
up from Haridwar
railway station and transfer to
Rishikesh |
Hotel |
|
2 |
240
KMS |
-- |
1875
MTS |
Rishikesh |
Joshimath |
Luxury
Tents |
|
3 |
13
KMS |
9
KMS |
2250
MTS |
Joshimath
– Helong |
Kalpeshwar |
Tents |
|
4 |
48
KMS |
9 KMS
|
1308
MTS |
Kalpeshwar
– Helong |
Gopeshwar |
Hotel |
|
5 |
8
KMS |
10
KMS |
2286
MTS |
Gopeshwar
– Sagar |
Panar
Bugyal |
Tents |
|
6 |
-- |
8
KMS |
2286
MTS |
Panar
Bugyal |
Rudranath |
Tents |
|
7 |
25
KMS |
18
KMS |
3000
MTS |
Rudranath
– Mandal |
Chopta |
Tents |
|
8 |
--
|
3.5
+3.5 KMS |
3638
MTS |
Chopta |
Tungnath
– Chopta |
Tents |
|
9 |
28
KMS |
8
KMS |
3075
MTS |
Chopta
– Ukhimath |
Bantoli |
Tents |
|
10 |
-- |
10
KMS |
3289
MTS |
Bantoli |
Madmaheshwar |
Tents |
|
11 |
-- |
10
KMS |
3075
MTS |
Madmaheshwar |
Bantoli |
Tents |
|
12 |
12
KMS |
8
KMS |
1319
MTS |
Bantoli
– Ukhimath |
Guptkashi |
Luxury
Tents |
|
13 |
35
KMS |
14
KMS |
3585
MTS |
Guptkashi
– Gauri Kund |
Kedarnath |
Hotel |
|
14 |
35 KMS / 79
KMS |
14
KMS |
1319
MTS/ 610 MTS |
Kedarnath |
Guptkashi
/ Rudraprayag |
Luxury
Tents / Hotel |
|
15 |
183
KMS/ 139 KMS
|
-- |
356
MTS |
Guptkashi
/ Rudraprayag |
Rishikesh |
Hotel |
|
16
|
-- |
-- |
-- |
Pick
up from Rishikesh and transfer to Haridwar railway station
|
Departure |
