Gaurikund

The area offers vivid greenery with Vasuki Ganga flowing from below. Located amongst lush green forests, the place boasts of its panoramic views and the two famous attractions located here: Gaurikund Temple and Gauri Lake.

1. Gaurikund Temple: This temple has the idol of Goddess Parvati in it, where devotees offer their prayers. People on their way to Kedarnath make it a point to stop here to visit this holy religious site.

2. Gauri Kund: Also known as Gauri Lake, Parvati Sarovar or the Lake of Compassion, this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha. Hindus consider this lake to be a sacred spot and take a ritual bath here. Sadly, after the 2013 floods, there is only a small stream of water flowing in place of the Kund.

The Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range. Since the temple is unstable, it is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by an uphill trek from Gaurikund. Devotees have the option of walking to the temple via a 14-kilometre trek, availing the services of a helicopter or hiring a pony.

Gaurikund to Kedarnath trekking route:
Following the flash flood in 2013, a new trekking route was built to connect the two places. The new route is extremely safe and well developed and has all the required facilities available. The route is 8-10 feet wide and has an iron railing on its edge. Shelters, where tourists can take rest, are built at every 500 meters or so. The trekking route for the first 7 kilometres is gradual, but for the subsequent 7 kilometres, the path is steep. The route for the last 3 kilometres goes up and down gradually. It takes about 7 hours to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund.
The route to be taken is as follows:
Gaurikund- Rambara Bridge- Jungle Chatti- Bheembali- Linchauli- Kedarnath Base Camp- Kedarnath Temple

Gaurikund to Kedarnath pony charges:
Visitors can hire horses to make their journey comfortable and smooth. A pony from Gaurikund to Kedarnath costs INR 1,400; while a return trip would cost you INR 1,100.

Gaurikund to Kedarnath by helicopter:
A helicopter can be booked online to take you to Kedarnath. This service can be availed from Phata, Sersi, Sitapur and Guptkashi.
A one way trip from the base helipad to the temple or the other way round costs INR 3,500 while a round trip will cost you around INR 5,800.

The best time to visit this holy place is from March to November when the snow is cleared out, and all roads are easily accessible. This is also the same time when the Kedarnath temple is open to the general public for darshan. The weather during this period is refreshing and pleasing, though cold.

It is easy to find decent accommodation here. Dharamshalas, guest houses and hotels provide excellent facilities and services at affordable prices. Shivalik Valley Resorts, Bhawani Tourist Complex and JPG Palace are some good options that you can consider.

Avoid the monsoon season as heavy rains could mean blocked roads due to landslides. It is advisable to advance book your hotel as during this season its difficult to find accommodation in the region.

• Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is 224 km away from Gaurikund. One can easily hire a cab or take a bus for Gaurikund from the airport.

• Rail: The nearest rail head is at Rishikesh which is about 202 km away from Gaurikund. One can easily get a cab or a bus for Gaurikund from the railway station.

• Road: Gaurikund is well connected to different parts of the state by motorable roads. Buses regularly connect the town to nearby cities and towns.