Badrinath & Kedarnath – Learn Yoga & Meditation in the Spiritual Center of India

We would start the soulful trip with a visit to Guptkashi via Devprayag and Rudraprayag, where we’ll be driven to from the station upon arrival. We will be able to witness the sacred Ganga and Alakananda Rivers on our way to Guptkashi. We will also pass by the ever beautiful Mandakini River.

On reaching Guptkashi we’ll visit Vishwanath Temple (alternatively known as Ardh Narishwar Temple). Guptkashi, when translated from Hindi, means “Hidden Varanasi”.

As per popular legend, when the Pandava brothers (characters from the epic Mahabharata), were in the quest of Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva initially disguised himself as Guptkashi! The Pandavas could finally meet Lord Shiva in his true form further up in Kedarnath. The priests of Kedarnath Temple reside in Guptkashi during the winter months when the temple remains shut. Guptkashi is in a true sense a divine place with spiritual as well as tangible connections. Since it is in a comparatively lower altitude, the weather remains very comfortable and pleasant during the summer months.

(Overnight at Guptakashi)

On the second day we would go out on an adventurous trip to Kedarnath. In order to cover the distance, we’ll take helicopters till Gaurikund from where we need to cover up the distance on ponies or by walking. Walking would take around 5 hours for an average person.

Kedarnath radiates a calm and divine aura to every traveller. The shrine houses 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The scenic beauty of the shrine is unparalleled as one can witness the majestic Kedarnath range in its full glory. According to mythology, the Pandava brothers regretted their act of killing their own cousins- the Kauravas, wanted the blessings from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva didn’t appear before them immediately and fled to four different places, leaving different parts of his body at these places. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

After the mirthful and eventful Kedar trek, we would be dropped off to our hotels in Guptkashi by our driver.

(Overnight at Guptkashi)

The next morning, we would leave for Badrinath. Badrinath is one of the four ancient Dhaams and is one of the most frequently visited ones in India. It attracts thousands of devotees and travellers every year. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have a bath in the sacred Taptund. It is a natural thermal spring on the bank of the Alakananda, where it is mandatory to take a bath before entering the Badrinath temple.

Badrinath has a lot of other sight-seeing options and we would visit Mana, Vyas Gufa, Maatamoorti, Charanpaduka, and Bhimkund. In the evening we would have a spiritual retreat while observing the evening aarti and Badrivishal. There is a Pindan Shradh place in the proximity known as the Brahmakapal and many people visit this place for performing the funeral rites of their ancestors.

(Overnight at Badrinath)

Post our breakfast, we would be driven to Rudraprayag. On the way we would pay a visit to Narsingh Temple which is located Joshimath.

Joshimath is located above the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. Of the four ‘Maths’ established by Adi Shankaracharya, Joshimath is the winter seat of Badrinath. The idol is brought down to Joshimath for people to worship during the harsh winter months.

Rudraprayag suffers extremities in temperatures and is a town in Uttarakhand. Rudraprayag has a lot of temples like Rudranath, Chamunda Devi temple to name the important ones.

(Overnight at Rudraprayag)

Next morning we’ll visit the Rishikesh. Rishikesh (the yoga capital of the world) is a highly reputed spiritual town surrounded by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. The place is located on the banks of the holy Ganges.

We would be staying at the Parmartha Niketan.

We would visit Rishikesh Temple after lunch and checking into the accommodation. This would be followed by sight seeing of the very famous– Laxman Jhulla and Ram Jhulla. In the evening we would practice some yoga and meditation at the ashram.
Rishikesh is also very popular for water sports like white water rafting and attracts a lot of adventurous travelers for the Himalayan treks.

(Overnight at Rishikesh)

The next morning we would pay a visit to the charming and spiritual municipality of Haridwar. It is one of the most important pilgrimage site (since time immemorial) in India. After spending the morning by visiting some of the ancient Hindu temples like Mata Mansa Devi Temple and Chandi Devi Temple, we would spend the evening at Har ki Pauri.

Har-ki-Pauri hosts lamp floating ritual and Ganga aarti every evening. The flickering of the lamps in the water casts almost a spell everywhere and results in an enchanting atmosphere all around.

(Overnight at Haridwar)

Post breakfast, leave to Delhi for the flight back home.