Panch Kedar Yatra
One of the most difficult pilgrimage yantras in India refers to the five temples of Lord Shiva in the high Himalayas - Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and kalpeshwar.
It is popularly believed that the Pandavas, after their victory in the Mahabharata wished to pay homage to Lord Shiva to atone for gotra hatya – killing their kin, the Kauravas. At Kedarnath, seeing the Pandavas coming, lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull. However, the Pandavas saw through this disguise. Realizing that the disguise has not worked the bull tried to thrust itself into the ground. Bhima tried to hold the bull to prevent it from vanishing. In the struggle that ensued, Shiva got torn into separate parts that manifested themselves at various locations in Jharkhand. The forehead appeared at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu; the hump at Kedarnath; the torso including the navel at Madhyamaheshwar; the arms at Tungnath; the face manifested itself at Rudranath and the legendary matted locks of Shiva at kalpeshwar.
The five sites that fall in India are referred to as Panch Kedar. It is held that the Pandavas and their descendants built the temples at Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar and Tungnath. Rudranath and kalpeshwar, however, remained in cave temples.
Panch Kedar Tour Package (15 Nights / 16 Days)
Day 1: Delhi- Haridwar (230kms / 6hr)
Arrival at Delhi Railway Station / Airport, drive straight to Haridwar. On Haridwar, transfer to the Hotel. In the evening view Aarti at the Holy River The Ganges, at Har ki Pauri. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: Haridwar to Guptkashi (205kms / 7hr)
Drive to Gaurikund (a hot water sulfur spring) via Rudraprayag. Check-in Hotel.
Day 3: Guptkashi to Kedarnath (54kms / 6hr)
After breakfast drive to Gaurikund (40kms), 14kms trek to Kedarnath. Overnight stay at Hotel.
The first destination in the Panch Kedar Yatra, Kedarnath is also one of the char dhams and the Jyotirlinga of Shiva.
Day 4: Kedarnath to Guptkashi (54kms / 6hr)
After breakfast trek down to Gaurikund. Later after lunch drive to Guptkashi. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 5: Guptkashi to Gaundhar (17kms / 6hr)
Trek to Gaundhar with a packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Day 6: Gaundhar to Madhyamaheshwar (10kms / 5hr)
Trek to Madhyamaheshwar (3289mts) with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
According to the legend, the torso of Shiva manifested itself at Madhyamaheshwar. In the Kedar Khand of Skanda Purana, the mahatmas or the significance of the Shri Madhyamaheshwar is mentioned. The shrine of Madhyamaheshwar is reached by a trek via Uniana, Gaundhar, and Bartoli.
Day 7: Madhmaheshwar to Gaundhar (10kms / 5hr)
Come back and trek to Gaundhar with a packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Day 8: Gaundhar to Ukhimath (28kms / 6hr)
After breakfast 12kms trek to Jagasu and then 16kms drive to Ukhimath. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 9 : Ukhimath - Tungnath - Chopta (43kms / 3hr)
35 km drive to Chopta and 4 km trek to Tungnath. In the afternoon return trek to Chopta. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Legend has it that the arms of Shiva appeared in Tungnath after he took the form of a bull. According to Skanda Purana Shiva tells Parvati that whoever has Darshan and seeks the blessings of Tungnath attains saga or spiritual salvation regardless of the place of his death.
Day 10 : Chopta - Panargupha (40kms / 7hr)
After breakfast drive to Sagar (30kms). Then 10 km trek to Panargupha. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Day 11: Panargupha to Rudranath (12kms / 6hr)
Trek to Rudranath with a packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Legend has it that the face of Shiva appears at Rudranath after he took the form of a bull and tried to escape into the earth. According to Skanda Purana Mahadev tells Parvati that there is a third thirth and which is the best of all pilgrimages and is called Rudranath, pilgrims who come here with their wishes are blessed and all their wishes are granted. Lord Shiva is said to reside here perennially. It is believed the ancestors of those who offer pinda tarpan will stay in Shivalik till the destruction of the universe.
Day 12: Rudranath to Dumuk (18kms / 8hr)
Trek to Dumuk with a packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Day 13: Dumuk to Kalpeshwar Mahadev (14kms / 7hr)
14 km trek to Urgam / Kalpeshwar Mahadev with packed lunch. Dinner and overnight in Camps.
Legend has it that the matted locks of Shiva appeared at kalpeshwar. according to Skanda Purana, Shiva tells Parvati that Indra, after being cursed by sage durvasa, was miserable and came here to meditate. As a result, he regained Indra Sena, his throne, whoever performs puja here is relieved of all his sins in his life and also past lives.
Day 14: Kalpeshwar Mahadev to Rudraprayag (114kms / 7hr)
After early breakfast trek to Helang (9kms) and then drive to Rudraprayag. Check-in Hotel.
Day 15: Rudraprayag to Haridwar (160kms / 6hr)
Drive to Haridwar via Srinagar, Devprayag, and Rishikesh. Check-in Hotel.
Day 16: Haridwar - Delhi (230kms / 6hr)
After breakfast, drive to Delhi. Drop at the Railway Station / Airport.
