Panch Kedar is a group of five Mahadev Temples in the Garhwal Himalayas. The trek to all these temples takes 15-16 days. None of these temples are connected to a road, and the way to these temples takes one through some of the most beautiful parts of Garhwal Himalayas. It is not a picnic trek, but a great event to bring you closer to yourself as also to the Divine.
The Legend of Panch Kedar
Panch Kedar has an interesting legend. When the Pandavs went to the Himalayas, Shiv avoided them because they had killed so many people in the war. To avoid them He ran in the form of a Bull, and Bhim chased him. On being followed, the colossal Bull dived into the ground to resurface at other places. He left his hump at Kedarnath. But when he resurfaced, it seems that he had assumed human form and emerged at different areas in these mountains. His face resurfaced at Rudranath. His Arms resurfaced at Tungnath. His navel emerged at Madha Maheshwar. His hair emerged at Kalpeshwar.
These temples of Panchkedar have been and are seats of Tapasyas for sages from time immemorial. It is believed that even today the area abounds with siddhas and sadhaks.
Which are these five Mahadev Temples?
Hump at Kedarnath: one of the 12 Jyotirlings. Arms at Tunganath: Highest temple in the region. Face at Rudranath: Natural Rock Temple. From Gopeshwar drive 4 Km to Sagar. Trek 20 Km to Rudranath. Mid-body (naval) at Madhyamaheshwar: 25 km northeast of Guptakashi. From Guptakashi drive to Kalimath and then trek to Madhyamaheshwar. Hair at Kalpeshwar: Between Rudranath and Helong, a motor head on Badrinath route.
What is the route of the Panch Kedar Parikrama?
The proposed route is as follows: ;Day 1: From Delhi drive to Kalimath 📍. Offer prayers to invoke the blessings of Shakti at Kalimath before proceeding.
;Day 2: After Puja at Kalimath drive 70 km to Gaurikund 📍 via Guptakashi 📍. Visit Guptakashi temples when passing through the town.. From Gaurikund trek 14 Km to Kedarnath 📍. This is 1st Panchkedar.
;Day 3: From Kedarnath return to Kalimath.
;Day 4: From Kalimath trek 16 km to Gaundar 📍.
;Day 5: From Gaundher trek 10 Km to Madhyamaheshwar 📍. This is 2nd Panchkedar.
;Day 6: From Madhyamaheshwar return to Gaundher.
;Day 7: From Gaundher trek 12 Km to Kalimat. From Kalimath bus to Ukhimath 📍.
;Day 8: From Ukhimath take a bus to Chopta 📍 43 Km away. Trek 4 Km to Tunganath 📍. This is 3rd Panchkedar. Return to Chopta.
;Day 9: From Chopta drive 30 Km to Sagar 📍 and then trek 10 Km to Panargupha.
;Day 10: From Panargupha trek 12 Km to Rudranath 📍. This is 4th Panchkedar.
;Day 11: From Rudranath trek 18 Km to Dumuk.
;Day 12: From Dumuk trek 14 Km to Kalpeshwar 📍. This is 5th Panchkedar.
;Day 13: From Kalpeshwar trek 9 Km to Helang 📍. Catch a bus to Badrinath.
;Day 14: Rest at Badrinath
;Day 15: From Badrinath return to Delhi.