Kedarnath Packages From Pune

About Kedarnath Temple

Are you booking a Kedarnath package from Pune? If yes, then you can expect the journey of a lifetime, one that will bring you spiritual and mental bliss. Book your Pune to Kedarnath package after registering at the website of the temple authorities. The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country and is a part of the Char Dham circuit.

Here are a few details about the Kedarnath Temple and its inception:

• The Kedarnath Temple is one of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlingas.
• The origins of the temple lie in local lore, where the Pandavas wanted to appease Lord Shiva after feeling guilty about killing their own kin in the Kurukshetra War.
• Lord Shiva, who was hiding from the Pandavas in the form of a bull, disintegrated into several parts upon being discovered.
• The hump was left at Kedarnath, while the other portions appeared in Rudranath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.
• The Kedarnath shrine is one of the Panch Kedars or five temples built by the Pandavas.
• The temple is positioned amidst the snow-clad mountains and was reportedly built by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8^th century A.D.
• It stands next to the site of the earlier temple constructed by the Pandavas and the inner walls have figures of several deities and mythological scenes.
• A huge statue of Nandi guards the temple entrance.
• The temple showcases stunning architecture with huge and evenly shaped grey stone slabs. There is a Garbha Griha or sanctum sanctorum along with a Mandap.
• A rock formation in the conical shape is worshipped here as the Sadashiva form of Lord Shiva.

Knowing a little more about the temple is always recommended while booking a Delhi to Kedarnath package or holiday packages from other destinations.

Best Time to Visit Kedarnath

Wondering when should you book a Kedarnath package from Pune? You should always book your Pune to Kedarnath package after assessing the weather conditions carefully. Most people prefer booking a Kedarnath package from Pune in the summer season which is between April and June. This is a good time to indulge in sightseeing and to go on the challenging trek to the Kedarnath temple from Gaurikund.

Many tourists also book a Kedarnath package from Pune in the monsoon when the weather is pleasant and the hills come alive with lush greenery and water bodies. However, you cannot book a Kedarnath package from Kolkata or other cities in the winter season. This is because the temple closes in November and opens only in April every year due to heavy snowfall. Hence, you can only book your Kedarnath package from Ahmedabad or other Indian cities in the summer or monsoon.

How to Reach Kedarnath from Pune

If you are booking a Kedarnath package from Pune, you can take a direct flight (nonstop) to the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. It will require approximately 2.5 hours. Connecting flights are also available and may require 8-9 hours on average. From the airport, you can reach Gaurikund (the starting point of the Kedarnath trek) in around 6.30-7 hours.

Those booking Bangalore to Kedarnath packages or packages from other cities can also travel by train to the Haridwar railway station. It will take you around 28-30 hours to reach Haridwar from Pune via trains. You can then reach Gaurikund by road in around 6.5-7 hours from the Haridwar railway station.

You can also include helicopter or pony rides from Gaurikund in your Kedarnath package from Pune if you don’t want to embark on a trek to the temple. If you are travelling from Pune, you can also fly to New Delhi and then drive down to Gaurikund in around 11-12 hours.

Top Places to Visit in Kedarnath

Booking a Pune to Kedarnath package? There are several places that you should add to your travel itinerary for a Kedarnath package from Pune. Some of them include the following:

• Kedarnath Temple- It is the biggest attraction for tourists in the region. Clamber up from Gaurikund and appreciate the picturesque landscape with its forests, snow-clad mountains and meadows. The shrine has a huge Nandi statue at the entrance along with the inner sanctum which has the main deity. Idols of Lord Krishna, Draupadi, the Pandavas and Kunti are also placed in the Mandapa area. The temple has successfully withstood deadly earthquakes, avalanches and floods over thousands of years and still manages to amaze visitors with its elegant architecture.
• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi- The famous Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya is the creator of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. He attained enlightenment (called Samadhi) here in Kedarnath. His shrine is a landmark that you should include in your itinerary of your Kedarnath package from Pune. It is located in close proximity to the Kedarnath Temple.
• Shri Bhairavnath Temple- You will find this temple complex towards the southern side of the main Mandir. The ancient temple worships Bhairav Nath, an aggressive form of Lord Shiva. He guards the shrine whenever it closes in the winter.

Travel Tips for the Kedarnath Yatra

If you are booking a Kedarnath package from Pune or any other Indian city, then you should keep these useful tips in mind:

• The Yatra only opens from mid-April or May and closes in November. The weather conditions are unpredictable and you should plan your trip only after evaluating the same.
• You should always book your accommodation in advance to avoid the last minute rush.
• If you are not comfortable going on the uphill trek to the Kedarnath temple, book your pony or helicopter ride beforehand.
• Complete your registration at the official website of the temple authorities.
• Always carry basic medicines including cough syrup, painkillers and medicines that combat altitude sickness. The area does not have proper medical facilities and you should prepare accordingly.
• Even in the summer months, you should pack comfortable woollen garments to protect yourself from the chill, especially from the evening onwards.
• Carry sufficient water during the trek along with dry snacks.
• Do not litter or throw trash around the temple, which is an ecologically vulnerable zone.
• Smoking and drinking is not advisable on the trek and also near the temple compound.