introduction:
Kedarkantha trek is a mountain peak of the Himalayas with an elevation of 12,500 feet, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is known as the Queen of winter Trek. It is in the Sivalik hills of Garhwal Himalayas mountain ranges. The trek lasts almost four days and usually begins in a small village called Sankri.
FOLKLORE OF KEDARKANTHA
There are different folklores or legends being told around Kedarkanta. There is a high-altitude lake named Juda ka Talab. The myths are revolved around Kedarkanta and this lake.
One folklore states that Lord Shiva sat at the summit to meditate. He was disturbed by a bull running below. So he went to Kedarnath, which is a town in Uttarakhand to meditate instead.
There are myths related to Pandavas and this spot. It is related to the origin of the name too. It states that Pandavas went to the Himalayas to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. He disguised himself as a bull and hid from Bheem, one among the Pandavas. But Bheem recognized Lord Shiva. Bheem went after him and Lord Shiva hid underground. On the way to the hiding places, he let his body parts divide and each of these pieces fell at different places. As his throat fell on a place, the place was named Kedarkanta meaning “the throat of Lord Shiva”.
Another folklore related to The Pandavas is that Lord Shiva was angry towards the Pandavas as they killed their kin during the Mahabharata war. So on the advice of Lord Krishna, Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to pardon them for their sins. Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull to avoid them and left for the Garhwal region. But the Pandavas sighted him as he was grazing as a bull in the hills of Guptakashi. They tried to grab forcibly its legs and tails while it was disappearing into the ground. Thus Lord Shiva later reappeared in five places – the hump at the Kedarnath, the legs at the Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the stomach and the Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair at the Kalpeshwar.
WHEN?
It is usually preferred as a winter trek and hence done from December to April. Snow is seen on the way to Juda ka Talab from Sankri. The place remains cold during this time with the Kedarkanta temperatures dropping below the freezing point.
HOW TO REACH?
One needs to reach Dehradun first. 200 km from Dehradun is the Sankri village which is the beginning point of this trekking. Once the trekkers reach Sankri village, they can start their trekking from the next day morning itself.
It is a good trek for beginners too. Anyone without prior experience can also do this trekking. It can be performed individually too.
LOCATIONS
- Sankri village
This is the starting point of trekking. It is a small village located at a height of 2000 m. Rolling grasslands are there in the summer season and snow is all around in winter.
- Juda ka Talab
It is located 4 km away from Sankri village. It takes almost 3 hours at moderate walking speed.
- Kedarkanta base camp and its peak
This section is a little challenging. Though it is challenging, it still never fails to give an amazing view from the top and throughout the journey. The stunning views from surrounding peaks called Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Kala Nag are marvelous.
- Hargaon
It takes almost 4 hours to cover this 6 km place. There are pine forests around and there is snow all around during winter. Local hotels are available there for accommodation.
Tips for the Kedarkanta trek
- Begin trekking in the early morning during sunrise.
- Wear woollen clothes.
- Carry medicines if you have altitude sickness.
- Take a walking stick or a trekking pole.
- As electricity is an issue there, do not forget to carry power banks or extra batteries.
This Kedarkanta trek just wins your heart once you experience it. One could get the chance to experience cosmic views and starry nights from here. It not only gives you the chance to experience the views but also to unveil the myths associated with it. Thus it is an engaging trek too. The best treks can be done in the Himalayas. The charm in that nature is a must to experience. Those who put the effort not only into this classic trek but into the best and most popular winter trek are supposed to experience the breathtaking beauty and serenity of this place. Each and every unique campsite also contribute to the same by offering beautiful landscapes.
