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
 |
| Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar) |
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
 |
| Bhairavnath Temple, Kedarnath |
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
 |
| Nandi at Kalpeshwar Mahadev |
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
 |
| Vasuki Tal, Uttarakhand |
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
 |
| Agastyamuni Temple |
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
 |
| 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
 |
| Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, Kedarnath |
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
 |
| Charan Paduka, Badrinath |
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
 |
| Vasudhara Falls, Badrinath |
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
 |
| Neelkanth Parvat, Badrinath |
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
 |
| Bheem Pul, Mana Village |
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
 |
| Tapt Kund, Badrinath |
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
 |
| Vyas Gufa, Mana Village |
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
 |
| Brahma Kapal, Badrinath |
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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