Rudranath Trek, Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
All About It
- 4 Days 3 Nights
- 15 Slots
- Difficulty - Hard
- For 12+ years
- Best Season Summer (May, June, July) September October
Uttarakhand, better known as the Devbhumi (land of Gods), is truly one of the most heavenly parts of the earth. One of the tales of its rich past relates to a set of five Shiva temples known as Panch Kedar, which includes - Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. These sacred sites of Lord Shiva are located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The story of their origin is mostly traced to the Pandavas (from the Hindu epic Mahabharata). Each of the temples is placed on the most serene and unruffled parts of the Indian Himalayas. No direct motorable road goes straight to the temples. Every temple requires some amount of trekking with varying levels of difficulty.
Undertaking Panch Kedar Yatra will take you on a long magnificent journey to remember for a lifetime. Attached with the element of sacredness, the meadows, mountains, snow-covered peaks, wildlife and streams - all attain a more special significance. The Panch Kedar pilgrimage normally takes 15/16 days to complete.
LEGEND BEHIND THE FORMATION OF PANCH KEDAR
Legends have a way of getting twirled or divided into many streams while they go down the timeline through centuries. One of the versions of the most popular legend associated with the formation of Panch Kedar relates to the era of Mahabharata. After killing their blood relatives and gurus, the enormous load of remorse made the Pandavas seek Lord Shiva for atonement.
Enraged with their actions and dishonesty on the war field, Lord Shiva evaded their requests. He hid at Guptkashi in the Himalayas of Garhwal disguised as a bull. Pandavas came looking for Shiva in the Garhwal region and recognized God Shiva in the form of a bull. Bhim tried to catch hold of the bull but it dived in the ground and vanished.
That is why, it is believed, the site of Guptkashi (Hidden Kashi) got its name.
Shiva reappeared in different parts of Garhwal. Hump came up at Kedarnath, navel appeared at Madhya-Maheshwar, face emerged at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath and hair at Kalpeshwar.
Pandavas built temples at each of the five places where the Lord emerged as such. Taken together these five places came to be known as Panch Kedar.
Given below are the five most important homes of Lord Shiva in Garhwal Himalayas in the sequence in which they should be visited:
Highlights
Panch Kedar is a spiritual tour of the five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Uttarakhand state of India. It is believed that after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for the sins they had committed in the war. Lord Shiva, in response, hid himself in various forms in these temples, and the Pandavas had to find him in each form to seek his blessings.
The Rudranath Temple is the third stop on the Panch Kedar tour. It is located at an altitude of 2,286 meters above sea level and is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a face. This temple is surrounded by beautiful meadows and offers a stunning view of the Himalayas.
Who should attend?
According to Hinduism the Pilgrimage tirthayatra , is one of the five duties of every Hindu, along with Dharma, Worship, Sanskaras and Observing religious festivals. A pilgrimage is an exercise in willpower, humility and faith, when the devotee travels to often difficult locations, leaving his problems at the feet of the Deity and forgetting everything but God.
A pilgrimage is an intimate experience, a direct connection between the seeker and the sacred. A devotee goes on pilgrimage to see holy men and women, to worship at holy shrines, to have darshan of Deities abiding in ancient sanctums. A pilgrim journeys to see God have a life-changing, bliss-engendering, karma-eradicating contact with the Divine.
Sagar
On the first day of the Rudranath trek via Sagar, you will start from Rishikesh early in the morning and drive towards Sagar village. The journey will be of around 250 km and will take around 9-10 hours to reach Sagar village. You will pass through the scenic towns of Devprayag and Rudraprayag, which are situated at the confluence of two rivers - Alaknanda and Mandakini respectively. Upon arrival at Sagar village, you will check into your pre-booked accommodation and rest for the night. You can explore the village and interact with the locals to get a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle.
After some refreshments, start early morning for Sagar to Panar Bugyal trek.
It is a 12 km.long trek. You have to climb uphill through the dense forest. As you move through the trek, you can witness the change in vegetation and atmosphere. Feel the breeze and peace of the place.
The trek leads you through farm fields, rocky dusty and steep trek routes. You also get to see amazing meadows with nature’s beauty at its peak.
Once you reach the top, you get a picturesque Himalayan view.
Don’t forget to capture the scenic beauty of nature which is at its best here.
Varied flowers, mushrooms and soft grass can be seen all over the valley. So roll on the soft carpeted grasslands like a small baby.
Enjoy overnight stay in atent under the open sky amidst vibrant and majestic landscapes.
Upon reaching Panar Bugyal, set up camp and rest for the night. Panar Bugyal is a vast meadow surrounded by tall trees and offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks.
Early morning post breakfast and with fresh legs, start Panar to Rudranath trek. Rudranath is situated at an altitude of 2286 m. from the sea level. Enjoy the atmosphere as you move ahead through the scenic routes. Rudranath is among the five shrines, and here the face of Lord Shiva had appeared in the natural rocks.
From the temple, you get abreath-taking panoramic view of the Himalayas, Nanda devi, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul and much more. To reach the top, you have to trek through thick dense forests, gorges and high alpine meadows.
There are few ponds near the temple like Surya kund, Tara kund, Chandra kund and Manaskund which can also be covered by the trekkers. The entire view along the trek is quite mesmerising and soothing.
Post breakfast, trek down to Lyuti Bugyal followed with the lunch , The route is mostly downhill and you will pass through dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and deodar trees. You will also cross several streams and waterfalls along the way. The trek is long and can take anywhere between 8 to 9 hours, so make sure you carry enough water and snacks with you. Upon reaching Sagar village, check into your accommodation have your evening Snacks , Dinner.
After taking early breakfast, you head towards onward journey.
The distance of Sagar to prominent places are Rishikesh – 237 km.
Inclusions
Certified Trek Leaders
All the trekking essentials like Tents, Sleeping Bags, Gaiters, Crampons, Liners, Cutlery, etc.
All the staff members from the team Walking The Himalayas are experienced that includes Guides, Cooking Staff, Helpers, and Porters.
We promise our travelers to provide delicious, hygienic & nutritious meals during the trek that includes morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening snacks & dinner.
Fully equipped medical kit, oxygen and safety equipment.
All forest permits and camping charges.
Exclusions
Any kind of personal expenses.
- Food During the Transit.
- Insurance.
- Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.
- Mules or Porters to carry personal luggage.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
Things can be provided on Demand and Availablity
(participant has to pay extra for these things)
Things to Carry
1. Wearing layers is the mantra in the mountains. Layers give you maximum protection from all elements. You will need at least 5 warm layers (Insulin layers). You will need at least 1 pair of inner thermals, 2 light fleece layers, 1 light sweater, and 1 padded jacket. Ensure your padded jacket has a hood as well. A minimum of one pair and a maximum of two pairs of trek pants should suffice for this trek. Wear one pair and carry one just in case it rains/snows. Trek pants with zippered cut offs at the thighs are very suitable for treks. Also, choose quick-dry pants over cotton
Sunglasses - Sunglasses are to prevent snow blindness. A small overexposure to direct sunlight on snow can lead to snow blindness (about a half hour’s exposure). That’s because fallen snow is like thousands of mirrors that reflect direct UV rays. So you need sunglasses with UV protection.
Buying Tip: Try getting sunglasses that wrap around instead of those that have openings on the side. Even peripheral UV ray exposure is not a good idea.
2. Sun Cap
3. Synthetic Hand Gloves - Get synthetic hand gloves that have waterproofing on the outside and a padded lining on the inside. If you find the combination difficult to get (not likely), wear a tight-fitting fleece hand glove inside a synthetic hand glove. Hand gloves are mandatory on this trek.
4. Woollen Cap - a woollen head cap that covers your head and ears is absolutely essential.
5. Socks - Apart from three to four pairs of sports socks, take a pair of woolen socks. Sports socks give you cushioning plus warmth. Again the mantra is to wear synthetic socks or at least a synthetic blend. Cotton socks soak in water and sweat. They are very hard to dry. As for woolen socks, they help you to keep warm and snug in the night. If you cannot get woolen socks, wearing two sports socks serves the purpose as well.
6.Power Bank
7. Thermos for water
8. Medication (As per medical conditions if any and is subscribed by a doctor)
9.Extra cover for your electronic gear items/Valuables.
10. Quick Dry Towel/Towel
11. Torch/headlamp
12. A tiffin box with a spoon for packed lunch, we try reduced usage of plastic/paper as much as possible
13. Poncho/Rain Cover
14. Do not leave plastic wrappers(chips,chocolates etc) behind while on Trek and yes! don't forget your "Mask" of course!
HOW TO REACH
Nearest Railways Station: Rishikesh Railway Station .
Nearest Airport: Dehradun Airport .
Terms and Conditions
- The advance amount is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.
- Full Payment of the trip cost must be made before the trip begins. Pending Payments may eventually lead to the cancellation of the trip.
- The IDs will be verified before boarding. No boarding shall be entertained without a valid Govt. ID.
- The transfer of the bookings is not permitted. Only the names mentioned at the time of confirmation shall be allowed to travel.
- No refunds shall be made towards any inclusion(s) not availed by the Client.
- Travelers must take care of their luggage & belongings. The management shall not be accountable for missing items along the tour.
- The time of departure is stated & fixed. All travelers must update their status with the Trip Coordinator(s), & report at the pickup point 30 mins prior to the scheduled departure.
- The Air Conditioning will be switched off in the hills. Also, during the trip, it shall be the driver’s discretion to put off the AC as & when required, considering the traveler's safety & ease of travel along uneven & dangerous routes.
Cancelation policy
- 10% of the Total Package Cost is Non-Refundable.
- 50% cancellation charge of the total package cost if cancellation between 15 days before arrival.
- 100% cancellation charge of the total package cost if cancellation before 7 days before arrival.
- Altering the confirmed plan Not possible.
Frequent Questions
About Rudranath Temple?
Rudranath is a Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the Panch Kedar, a group of five sacred temples of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas.
How can I reach Rudranath?
The trek to Rudranath starts from the village of Sagar in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Sagar.
What is the best time to visit Rudranath?
The best time to visit Rudranath is from May to June and September to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the trekking routes are accessible.
What is the distance of the trek to Rudranath?
The trek to Rudranath is around 20 km from the village of Sagar. It takes around 3-4 days to complete the trek.
Is the trek to Rudranath difficult?
The trek to Rudranath is considered to be moderate to difficult. The trek involves a steep ascent and descent, and the route can be slippery during monsoon season. It is recommended to have prior trekking experience and be physically fit to undertake this trek.
What is the significance of Rudranath?
Rudranath is one of the Panch Kedar and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a face. The temple at Rudranath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be a holy site for Hindu pilgrims.
What are the accommodation options available at Rudranath?
There are limited accommodation options available at Rudranath, including guesthouses and campsites. It is recommended to carry your camping equipment and food supplies during the trek.
Are there any medical facilities available at Rudranath?
There are no medical facilities available at Rudranath. It is recommended to carry a first aid kit and any necessary medications during the trek.
What are the other nearby attractions that I can visit along with Rudranath?
Other nearby attractions that one can visit along with Rudranath include the Panch Kedar temples of Tungnath, Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. The Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park are also popular tourist destinations nearby.
Is Rudranath trek difficult?
The Rudranath trek in Uttarakhand, India can be moderately difficult due to the altitude and rugged terrain, but it is considered a doable trek for most fit and experienced trekkers.
The trek involves a total distance of around 20 km and is usually completed in 3-4 days. The trek starts from the village of Sagar and passes through dense forests, meadows, and steep climbs before reaching the Rudranath temple, which is located at an altitude of 3,600 meters. The final ascent to the temple can be challenging as it involves steep and rocky terrain.
The trek also involves camping in the mountains, which requires carrying all necessary equipment and supplies. Trekkers need to be physically fit and have some prior trekking experience to complete the Rudranath trek.
It's important to note that weather conditions can also impact the difficulty of the trek. It's best to plan the trek during the summer months when the weather is favorable and the trails are less prone to landslides and other hazards.
Rudranath Trek, Uttarakhand
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