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🔱 ওঁম নমঃ পার্বতী পতি হর হর মহাদেব 🔱

Panch-Kedar is a sacred circuit of five Hindu temple in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Day - 1 : Journey started from Kolkata to Uttarakhand via Dehradun Airport. We arrived at 12 p.m and our yatra started.

We traveled 220 k.m via car from DED airport to Sonprayag. At midnight aprox 2:00 a.m we arrived the gateway of kedarnath 'Sonprayag' Sangam for starting our first kedar journey towards Kedarnath Temple.

We started our moderate treking through 'Gouri-Kund' -- BanChati- Bhimbali and continuousy carrying to Kedar Ghanti. Theoretically this trek about 16 k. m aprox but in real life its a hard and 22 k.m aprox.

Day - 2 : In the evening about 5 O'Clock we reached fisrt kedar, "Kedarnath Temple" at elevation of 3584 m or 11755 feet above sea level. Kedarnath is famous for the highest of the 12 sacred Jotirlinga's dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Unlike most Lord Shiva 🔱 temple that feature is a naturally formed curved stone conical rock formation like a bull's hump.

According to Mahabharata the Temple was established by Panch-Pandav's to seek Lord Shiva 🔱 forgiveness for Kurukhetra war.

The temple was renewed by the great philosopher Adi Sankarachrya in 8th century.

at the midnight we worshipped Lord Shiva 🔱 by 'Rudravisek'. It was a very memorable time ever in my life, because that day was my real Birthday. We celebrate my special day with special location in perfect timing. I'm really blessed by Mahadev.

Day - 3 : Morning 7 a.m, we checked out from our night stay and we stared a small uphill trek towards 'Baba Vairabnath ' temple and back to kedar dham and visit temple surrounding.

After breakfast we decided to down back Gouri-kund. So, today's downhill trek about 22 k.m. beside Mandakini river stream. It's take a aprox whole day. The trek to the temple on foot generally takes 8 hours and down trek also same because huge traffic like Ghora, Khacchor, Duli, and pilgrims.

At the time of evening we reached Sonprayag via Gouri-kund, and travel towards 'Triyuginarayan Temple'. 'Triyuginarayan' temple is located in Rudrapraya district under Uttarakhand state and nearly Sonprayag marg. About 15 kilometers uphill via motorable road.

Day - 4 : After a fresh morning we visited the ' Triyuginarayan Temple ' dedicated to Lord Vishnu Narayan. According to mythology Lord Shiva 🔱 & Maa Parbati Devi married here in presence of Lord Narayan in 'Satya Yug'. The temple situated here for Three Yug ( Satya, Treta, Drapar), now Koli-yog running, that's why its named ' Triyuginarayan' (Tri-Yug-Narayan).

Now we started our journey towards Madhyamaheshwar of 2nd Kedar. This trek begins to Ransi village. From Triyuginarayan temple to Ransi village distance about 75 k. m. Motorable road and its take 3 -4 hour's. Our trek stared from Ransi village about 3 p.m and we stop our trek about 7 p. m evening at 'Upper Bantouli'. 'Bantauli' is a River sangam of 'Van river & Madhuganga river'. Its a very majestic place sourrunded by natural beauty. We refreshed here for 30 minute.

2nd Kedar Madmaheswar, trek about 16 kilometers one side and moderate to minor difficult uphill climb, so better to stay one day anywhere like 'Goundhar village or 'Bantouli and push next day to Madmaheswar.

Day - 5 : Very early morning we started our uphill trek via 'Nanu'. 'Nanu' is a femous milestone for hard trek starting gateway toward 'Madmaheswar' Yatra. A stiff climbing through rock and boulder narrowly road beside beautiful river stream namely 'Madhuganga'. Sometimes within under jungle and cinematic mountain view.

About 4 p. m we reached 2nd Kedar 'Madmaheswar ' Temple. Madmaheswar meaning Madhya vag of Maheswar Shiva (NaVi). This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 🔱 as per temple name really we shaw a Natural Swayambhu Shiva lingam very likely to a bull's 'Navi' /Navel. The temple sitting at an elevation of 3497 meters (11,473 feet) aprox. The temple is surrounded by the spiritual atmosphere and stunning natural beauty.

Best time to visit May-Jun or September - October. Monsoons are typically avoided due to heavy rainfall and Landslides. Accommodation are also available Ransi village, Gaundhar, Nanu, and Temple sites.

Day - 6 : In the morning, I woke up fresh and went out for the purpose of 'Buda-Madmaheswar '. It's a 2 kilometers stiff uphill trek from Madmaheswar mandir. Buda- Madmaheswar trek surrounded by beautiful bugyal (High altitude alpine meadows or Grassland) view with lots of unknown himalyan flower. Nature's own garden.

Buda-Madmaheswar (12,139 feet) famous for unobstructed panaromic view of Mount Choukhamba. Two or three 'Pokhri' (Lake's ) are there and the secret is --'The reflection of Mount Chowkhamba,' That scene looks amazing. It is hard to believe without seeing. But when we went, the monsoon had not fully started so there was no water in the reservoir, we did not get the reflection, but what a beautiful sight it could be.

2+2 kilometers trek takes 4 hour's aprox. After clicked some beautiful photos we turn back downhill base at Madmaheswar temple and packed our bagpack for down trek upto Ransi village. 18 kilometers down trek was a difficult so about evening we reached Goundhar Village & decided for stay. Goundhar village is a very very beautiful village like canvas. Holy river Madhuganga stream are flowing sideways.

Day - 7 : After breakfast we start our remained 6 kilometers down trek towards Ransi village. We reached Ransi village about 11 a. m. Our vehicle was parked here. We sitted and command to Lovely Sing Rawat ( very cool driver) for go ahead.

Now, today we like to start 3rd Kedar ' Tunganath ' via Chopta.

'Tunganath' - The Chopta - Tunganath trek is one of the most popular trekking destination in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The trek is noted for its scenic beauty, lush green meadows, and of course the Tunganath temple, which is also the Highest Lord Shiva Temple in the world (12,073 feet). It is the part of the Panch Kedar temple's, being the Third in hiearchy (Tirtha Kedar). Legends has it that the Pandavas constructed the temple to appease Lord Shiva 🔱 after the Mahabharat War.

The main attraction is a dark, left tilting Linga, symbolizing an arm of lord shiva. Facing its gate is Nandi Maharaj, the divine bull. Additionally, there are smaller temple dedicated to Maa Parvati Devi. Tunganath temple stands for a testament to Hindu spirituality admist the Himalayan peaks.

This trek beautifully blends 'Spritual Devotion and Mountain Adventurer ' where the mighty peaks of Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Chowkhamba paint a majestic skyline.

• Chandrashila - is the summit above Tunganath temple. It literally means " Moon Stone". It is located at a height of about 3690 metres above sea level. There are many legends associated with the place. ' Shri Rama meditated and 'Ravana also meditated here. Another legend sayas that the Moon- God 'Chandra ' time here in penance.

Day - 8 : In first morning we ready to check out our night stay at tunganath. And we started our down trek from Chandrasila ---- Tunganath ---- via ---bugiyal. About 2 p. m we reached tungnath base checking point.

Our car was ready for our next destination, meaning 4th Kedar 'RudraNath'. 'RudraNath' trek starting point from 'Sagar' Village. The distances between Tunganath and Sagar aprox 70 to 80 k. m. We reached Sagar Village about 6 p. m.

We found a very nice mountain view hotel in Sagar village.To relieve our tiredness of the day.

This journey involves a beautiful temple, Named 'Gopeswar' Mahadeb. This temple also known as ' Gopinath' temple located at chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Dedicated to lord Shiva. 🔱. It is famous for 5 meter metal Trident 🔱 and winter home for the Rudranath Mahadev.

According to myth, Lord Shiva wanted to witness Lord Shri Krishna's Devine 'Ras- Leela. Because only women were permitted, Shiva masked himself as a Gopi to attend, and earning him the name 'Gopeshwar'.

This is real Mahadev Trident (Trishul). Gopeshwar temple is the one of oldest temple in Uttarakhand after kedarnath temple. This temple maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

After visiting we back to our night stay at sagar village.

Day - 9 : In very early morning we started our trek towards fourth Kedar 'Rudranath' Mahadeb. According to mythology it is where the Face of Lord Shiva appeared.

RudraNath Mahadeb trek is about 20 kilometers one side. Known as the most challenging and remote trek among all the Panch Kedar temples, the journey offers a deeply immersive nature experience through dense alpine forests and rhododendron meadows but its really difficult trek. A popular quote of RudraNath is -

"German ki Larai or RudraNath ki Charai" same to same.

At 8 a.m we reached a beautiful place for breakfast name- Pung Bugiyal. After breakfast we started the main stiff uphill climbing towards 'Mouli-Kharak'. After getting lunch we continue our trekking towards 'Luity Bugiyal'. Tonight's stay is here in the tent with extremely cold condition with rain. This point is a middle point of RudraNath trek route. Acomodation fecility is available here.

Day - 10 : Very early morning we started our trek toward RudraNath temple. After a while we caught sight of the beautiful Monal bird sitting on the edge of the cliff ,Which is the national bird of Uttarakhand. What a beautiful look and location. And also we saw the Himalayan 'Thar' ( Rare dear).

One of the most beautiful spot of this trek is namely ' Panar Bugyal'. The Panar Bugyal is mainly associated with Panch Kedar and the Pandavas of the Mahabharata.

After the battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas were seeking Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of killing their relatives and elders (Gotravadha and Brahmavadha). But Shiva was angry with the Pandavas and did not want them to appear.

Panar Bugyal is a vast and sacred pasture just before reaching Rudranath. According to local folklore, when Shiva manifested his face at Rudranath, it was over this Panar Bugyal that the deities were transported. It is considered to be Lord Shiva's "Anil Path" or divine travel road.

The belief of the local hill people,This green velvet grassy field of Panar Bugyal was actually the resting place of the gods.

After 'Panar Bugyal ' moderate the Trek route with mix of Heven Beauty. Next point is 'PitraDhar'. PitraDhar is the heights point of this route with unpredictable weather condition. So, it is better to cross before cloud brust and snow fall. Many trekkers claim to feel devine sprit presence while crossing the sacred ridge.

We reached RudraNath about 4p.m. After a very tough trek, last two day's now we feel real Rudranath is not just a place to visit. It’s a space to reconnect — with nature, with purpose, and with the divine.

A Naturally formed Rock (Linga) looks like a real Face of Lord Shiva. 🔱. Unbelievable if you did not see it. This temple also dedicated to Lord Shiva and here worshipped the Face of Shiva.

(This picture is download by Internet. Because taking picture & vedio is strictly prohibited inside the temple. ) In reality without 'Sringer' the face looks very amazing.

Day - 11 : Today's trek down is also hard because we need to walk 20 kilometers in very downhill. Our destination is back to sagar village before sunset via PitraDhar -- Panar Bugyal -- Luyti Bugyal -- MouliKharak-- Pung Bugyal -- Sagar village. With excruciating pain in our legs, we finally reached Sagar village in the evening. Once again remember the quote - " German ki Larai & Rudranath ki Charai".

Day - 12 : All four Kedar Yatra already done. Now one remains, The Fifth Kedar called - Kalpeshwar Mahadeb. Kalpeshwar Mahadeb is a sacred temple dedicated to Lord Shiva 🔱, located in beautiful 'Urgam Valley of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Elevation 2200 meters, this is the only one kedar accessible year round and open for worship 365 days year.

Kalpeshwar Mahadev is famous, where Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of his matted hair ( Jata).

Kalpeshwar Mahadev surrounded by lush green, dense forest, and Kalp Ganga river. Only 2 kilometers trek which can be reached by road.

Unlike most temples, you didn't worship a idol or linga here. A natural rock formation is revered as the Jata (matted hair) of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims walk through a small cave passage to reach the inner where the naturally formed " SWAYAMBHU " Shivling resides.

The Holy kalp Ganga river flows right beside the temple, adding to the tranquite atmosphere.

Now if this question comes to your mind that why all Kedarnath is closed for six months of the year? Then the answer is that Lord Shiva is not only the god of man. Apart from human beings (bodies), he is the Lord of ghosts, ghouls, yakshas, ​​kinnars, incorporeal beings, gods,and everyone worships Shiva. So the temple is closed for six months only for their darshan and worship.

Thus, through many hardships, with courage and fear together in our heart, we left our little son 'Swayambhu' at home and spent many day's in a Shiva-way. These sweet memorable days will not come back again and again in life. Maybe I don't know when I will go again.

I wanted to travel to Panch-Kedar together once, with the blessings of Mahadev, we was able to offer our prayers to Mahadev through the difficult journey. On behalf of me and my family, I thank Mahadev very much. Bless Mahadev, Keep Healthy and keep Shivamay always.

Har Har Mahadev.

Joy Shambhu....