Photos

Took this snap on the way to kedarnath from gaurikund after 2km.The first view of kedarnath mountain.
A remote locale in the midst of the snow caped peaks of the Himalayas, Gaurikund encompass much religious significance. This is one among the famous pilgrim centers en route to the Kedarnath shrine, which lies at an altitude of 1982 meters. This holy place houses an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Like all other renowned temples, Gaurikund temple also holds an interesting legend.
Kedarnath,Elevation: 3583m (11824 ft) is on the bank of the Mandakini River between Gangotri and Badrinath. As the crow flies Kedarnath is only 42km from Badrinath. Over 100,000 pilgrims come here each year. It is believed that Sankaracharya passed away here about 820 AD. Kedareswar Siva is the presiding deity. Behind the Kedarnath temple is an impressive mountain range, with the beautiful Kedarnath Mountain (6,970m).

At the beginning of the path was the ticket window, literally mobbed by hordes of people, kacchars (mules), horses, guides, pithus (human carriers), and others engaged in the business of transporting people to Kedarnath. The policemen drove away the hordes, with sticks in their hands, almost threatening to use them sometimes.
With rare flowers and streams on the Kedarnath route, you are just walking from one postcard picture to another. Trudging with you are pilgrims chanting "Jai Bholenath." Sometimes the mist would envelop the mountains and slowly lift away, revealing a shiny blinding-white peak that threatened to rupture the skies.

The path is almost ethereal, and unlike many other so-called holy places, one does feel some ancient divinity residing in this frigid dreamscape. Probably there is a reason why they call it the land of the gods.

Hope you like this landscape.
Thank you.