Located on the lap of Garhwal Himalayan region of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand a holiday in Kedarnath and Badrinath will earn you the opportunity to visit these holy towns which are two of the most prominent holy and spiritual destinations in India. People flock these spiritual destinations each year, as a part of their Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage journey. Both these shrines are an essential and a crucial pillar in evoking a deep sense of spirituality.
If you are planning a trip to these two holy shrines then make sure you cover the following places as well:
Places to Visit in Kedarnath
Chorabari Tal
Located at a mere distance of 4 kms from the main town of Kedarnath this lake is frequented by pilgrims during the summer months. The source of this pristine lake lies at Chorabari glacier. This lake is popular for being the spot where the first yoga Guru, Lord Shiva, is said to have transferred his knowledge about yoga to the Saptarishi. This lake is also extremely vital due to the fact that Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed here in 1948.
Bhairavnath Temple
Sitting right behind the main Kedarnath Dham temple, is the temple which is believed to be the protector of the holy Kedarnath Dham shrine. Bhairavnath temple is located at a mere walking distance of 500 metres and is a must visit for every pilgrim. It is believed that when the temple gets buried in heavy snow during the winter months this Bhairavnath temple protects the main temple along with the entire valley of Kedarnath.
Kalpeshwar Temple
Situated at a distance of 27 km from Joshimath this holy site of pilgrimage is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled comfortably among the Urgam valley of Chamoli district this temple is an important part of the Panch Kedar Yatra circuit. This is famed for being the only temple in the Panch Kedar Yatra circuit which is accessible during the winter months. Believed to be established by the Pandava brothers this temple is a must visit on your visit to Kedarnath for an extra dose of spirituality.
Vasuki Tal
Situated at a comfortable distance of 8 kms from the holy town of Kedarnath this high altitude, enchanting lake is located at an elevation of 4,135 metres above sea level. The trekking route to this magnificent lake is difficult to cover but the resulting views make the journey completely worth it. Overlooking this clear lake are the snow clad mighty Himalayan ranges which forms its breathtaking backdrop.
Agastyamuni
Sitting comfortably at a distance of 18 kms from Rudraprayag, this holy religious town is located on the banks of river Mandakini. Perched atop an elevation of 1000 metres above sea level. A large festive fair is organized during the occasion of Baisakhi and if you want to experience the true taste of Devbhoomi then visiting Kedarnath during this time is advised.
Deoria Tal
Situated at a distance of 73 kms from Kedarnath at an elevation of 2,438 metres above sea level, this high altitude lake is a breathtaking and tranquil glacial lake close to the quiet hamlet of Saari. The lake is a surreal place which is surrounded by thick forest and offers stunning views of the surrounding mighty Chaukhamba peak. You can also gaze at the Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila peaks. What makes this lake immensely holy is the belief that this was the bathing place for the devas.
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
Located in close proximity to the main Kedarnath Dham temple, this place houses the grave of the great philosopher, thinker and the creator of the Char Dham Yatra, Adi Shankaracharya. Along with being one of the most visited locations after Kedarnath Dham, this place is also home to a natural hot water spring which was created by the Adi himself with an aim of cleansing the tiredness and exhaustion from his disciples who decide to take up this holy pilgrimage.
Places to Visit in Badrinath:
Charan Paduka
Sitting calmly at a distance of 3 kms from the main Dham shrine of Badrinath, this holy place of worship is located at an elevation of 3,380 feet above sea level. As per Hindu mythology, Bhagwat Puran, it is believed that this shrine houses the foot prints of Lord Vishnu himself. This is actually a small worshipping spot made entirely of rocks which offers enchanting views of the surroundings which will make your journey here absolutely worth it.
Vasudhara Falls
This falls are located at an overall distance of 9 kms from Badrinath Dham and is perched on top of the holy river Alaknanda. To reach this iconic falls destination you will be required to cover a trekking distance of 6 kms from Mana village. The milk like water from the falls gushes down from a height of 400 feet creating mesmerizing scenery.
Neelkanth
Ranking among one of the major peaks in the Garhwal Himalayan region the peaks of Neelkanth are counted among one of the most highly revered, holy peaks in this region. Since it is situated in close vicinity to Badrinath Dham, at a height of 6,507 metres above sea level, these peaks are not only mesmerizing to look at but is also evokes a feeling of deep spirituality.
Bheem Pul
Located close to the holy Dham shrine of Badrinath, this naturally created stone bridge hold immense importance in the lives of devout Hindus. It is believed that this bridge was created by the strongest Pandava of all – Bheem – after which this Pul is named. This is a breathtaking sight to take a halt from your journey since this Pul along with the fiercely flowing Saraswati river creates a positive vibe in the area.
Tapt Kund
Popular for being the abode of goddess Agni this Kund is known for its medicinal properties and a dip in it is believed to cure all the physical as well as mental ailments. The temperature of the water in the Kund is almost 45 degrees Celsius and is situated on the banks of the holy River Alaknanda. Surrounding this Kund are 5 different holy slabs known as Panch Shila and are considered to be sacred rock formations by the devotees.
Vyas Gufa
Situated at a mere distance of 3 kms from Badrinath Dham this cave is believed to be extreme importance. This is the place where Maharishi Vyas is said to have composed Mahabharata. Not just that it is also believed that while he was composing the holy Hindu text he also stayed here.
Brahma Kapal
It is believed that Lord Brahma used to reside here making this place a holy place of pilgrimage. It is a popular belief, that if you perform the Pind Daan for your ancestors at this spot then they are guaranteed to attain their salvation or nirvana. Due to this reason this Kund or lake remains flocked with people looking to immerse the ashes of their deceased family members and being an aid in helping them to achieve their moksha. This place is located on the banks of the holy river of Alaknanda.
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