Gaurikund Gaurikund

Traveling to the Northern part of India can be a very exhilarating experience. If you are an avid trekker and hiker you will enjoy the mountains, the beauty of the snow capped hills as well as the trail that leads to the Greater Himalayan peaks and the beautiful temples in Uttaranchal that lie nestled in its folds. In the yester years sages seeking God ventured to the Himalayas. Himalayas play a great part in Hindu mythology. It is often considered the abode of Gods. If you are planning a tour in Uttaranchal, visiting Gaurikund Temple can be an enchanting experience amidst the mountain ranges and the splendid sceneries around. Known for the various religious Places in Uttaranchal, the state is rightly named as the Devbhoomi.

Situated on the bank of river Mandakini at an elevation of 1982 meters, Gaurikund is a hauntingly beautiful place. Five kilometers from Sonprayag , Gaurikund is considered to be the gateway to Kedarnath. The quaint mountainous region houses the ancient temple of Gauri mata- dedicated to Goddess Gauri or Parvati. En route the Tour to Gaurikund, there are two tanks- one consisting of hot water with sulphur traces, and the other a cold spring, which changes color in keeping with the changing time of the day.

A few kilometers away from the hot spring, we can see the ancient temple of beheaded Ganesha. The temple of Kedarnath is clearly visible from Gaurikund on a clear day.

From Gaurikund to Kedarnath, the uphill trek is the steepest. However pilgrims throng to Gaurikund and Kedarnath, just to get a glimpse of these natural wonders where the effects of the industrial revolution have failed to penetrate.

Tour to Gaurikund is fascinating for a number of reasons. For professional trekkers, it acts as a good base to further their climb. Pilgrims prepare themselves for the holy darshan of the Shiva lingum in Kedarnath. In Gaurikund one can put up at the small cottages and tourist lodges. Kalikamli Dharamsala, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Hotel Devlok, Hotel Shivlok, are some of the lodges where one can put up at Gaurikund.