Location – Uttarakhand, India
Sightseeing Highlights –
Nearest Railway Station— Rishikesh and Haridwar Railway Station.
Our Package Duration – 12 days and 11 Nights.
Ideal Duration to visit: 12- 11 days
Best Time to Visit: May to June and September to October
Panch Kedar is a sacred pilgrimage circuit in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This spiritual odyssey, often undertaken as a trek, connects five ancient temples, each representing a different part of Shiva’s body from a popular Hindu legend.
The Legend of Panch Kedar
According to a legend from the epic Mahabharata, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandava brothers sought to atone for their sins of killing their kinsmen. They went in search of Lord Shiva, who, displeased with the bloodshed, disguised himself as a bull (Nandi) to avoid them. When Bhima, one of the Pandavas, recognized and tried to capture the bull, it disappeared into the ground. Different parts of the bull’s body reappeared at five different locations, where the Pandavas built temples to venerate Shiva.
Kedarnath: The hump of the bull.
Tungnath: The arms of Shiva.
Rudranath: The face of Shiva.
Madhyamaheshwar: The navel and stomach of Shiva.
Kalpeshwar: The matted hair (jata) of Shiva.
The Five Temples
The pilgrimage circuit is traditionally completed in a specific order, offering a unique blend of spiritual devotion and adventure through diverse Himalayan landscapes.
Kedarnath: Located at an altitude of 3,583 meters, Kedarnath is the most revered of the five temples and is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple is a significant site in the Chota Char Dham circuit. The trek to Kedarnath is a moderate-to-challenging 16 km trek from Gaurikund.
Tungnath: At 3,680 meters, Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world. The trek to this temple is relatively short and scenic, starting from the picturesque town of Chopta. It is also a base for the trek to Chandrashila Peak, which offers panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Rudranath: The trek to Rudranath is considered the most difficult of the Panch Kedar. Located in a natural rock cave temple surrounded by alpine meadows and dense rhododendron forests, it is where the face of Shiva is worshipped. The journey to this temple is a true test of endurance and devotion.
Madhyamaheshwar: This temple is set in a peaceful location with stunning views of the Chaukhamba peaks. The trek to Madhyamaheshwar is through beautiful valleys and forests. Here, the navel and mid-torso of Shiva are venerated.
Kalpeshwar: Kalpeshwar is the only temple in the Panch Kedar circuit that remains open throughout the year. Located in the serene Urgam Valley, the temple is in a cave and is accessible via a short and easy trek, making it the most approachable of the five.
Best Time to Visit
The Panch Kedar pilgrimage is a seasonal one due to the harsh winter conditions.
Summer (May-June): This is a popular time to visit. The weather is pleasant, and the trekking routes are open and in good condition.
Monsoon (July-August): This period should be avoided as heavy rainfall can cause landslides and make the trekking routes dangerous and inaccessible.
Post-Monsoon/Autumn (September-October): This is another excellent time to visit. The skies are clear, offering spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The weather is cool and ideal for trekking.
Winter (November-April): All the temples except for Kalpeshwar close for the winter due to heavy snowfall. The symbolic idols are moved to their winter abodes for worship.
Trek Information
Duration: The complete Panch Kedar circuit typically takes around 12 to 16 days.
Difficulty: The trek difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult, with Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar being particularly challenging.
Highlights: The journey offers not only a deep spiritual experience but also a breathtaking adventure through dense forests, lush meadows, and high-altitude terrains, with the majestic backdrop of peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba
The above is our generalized package: –
Package Duration – 12 Days & 11 Nights
Travel Route – 2 Nights in Ukhimath/Ransi, 1 Night in Madhmaheshwar, 2 Nights in Sagar Village, 1 Night, 1 Night in Rudhranath
Accommodation – 3-Star Hotel/Resort or Above
Meals – 11 Breakfasts and 11 Dinners.
Transportation – Delhi to Haridwar by train and Haridwar to 5 Panch Kedar by cab for the whole trip.
Travelling – Cab service with driver for all 12 days
Adventure Activities on Demand
Price – As per the demand of the customer. Fill out the inquiry form.
The above can be modified as per the client’s requirement. Fill the inquiry form for the full itinerary and personally customized package.
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Fill the inquiry form for the full itinerary and personalised package.