Tips to Have a Memorable Kedarnath Yatra

Kedarnath is one of the several holy towns in the country. This temple town is located in Uttarakhand and is home to a multitude of temples to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer among the Trinity. Hordes of Shaivites throng this town every year and participate in the Kedarnath Yatra to reach this place and pay their obeisance to their favourite deity in the famous Kedarnath Temple plus other shrines in the area. You will have to take a Kedarnath Yatra pass either online or at an authorised pass counter offline to participate in this holy pilgrimage.

Most of the temples are situated among the snow-capped Himalayan ranges at a very high elevation over sea level. Hence, it is a good idea to keep some things in mind to make your trip memorable. 

Here, we give you some basic and easy to follow pointers that you can add to your checklist when you plan your next Kedarnath Yatra.

Start Early Morning

It is advisable that you start your trek as early as possible in the morning. This can help you to complete at least a major portion of the trek before noon and prevent you from getting tired due to the harsh sunrays.

Keep Backpack Light  

Take care not to overload your backpack and make it heavy. The heavier your backpack is, you will find it more difficult to trek. You can consider having a spare pair of winter clothes, a raincoat and/or an umbrella, emergency medicines, some lightweight energetic food and a few water bottles. Some good ideas for instant energy giving foods are biscuits, dark chocolates and dry fruits. They will not take up much space in your backpack and are not very heavy either. Do add in a few bottles of muscle and antiseptic creams as well as mosquito repellents too.

Wear Shoes with Grip

Wear thick boots with good grips. The trek is around 18km and you will take close to nine hours to reach your destination. It is ideal if you have hiking boots on as they can have less strain on your feet and make walking during snowfall easy.

Lightweight Winter Wear

Even if you plan to undertake the Yatra during summer, make sure that you dress yourself in light winterwear. Remember that this area is cold throughout the year and there is regular snowfall around the place. You might want to wear a woollen scarf, monkey cap and socks as well.

Battery Operated Torch 

Carry a couple of battery-operated torches with you. It is all the better if your torches are solar powered. Talking of batteries, carry enough batteries for your camera and torch to avoid a let down. Keep your power banks also fully charged in case you are not able to access any socket to plug in your charger.

BSNL Mobile Network

Trekkers have found that BSNL network is the most satisfactory during the Kedarnath Yatra. This mobile network has excellent coverage throughout the trip. Other networks do not work here. Only BSNL is supported here. You may consider getting a temporary BSNL network from your hometown before you start your trip.  

Advance Hotel Booking

Book your hotel room well in advance. The Kedarnath Yatra is undertaken by a multitude of people from all over the country who would also be looking out for accommodation just like you. So, if you do your booking beforehand, you can rest assured that you have a place to stay when you reach this place. There is heavy rush in this region during the peak months and if you do not do advance booking, you may find it difficult to find a decent place, especially if you are travelling with family.

Keep Map Handy

This is very important as it can guide you about your route. The map can also help you find your way out if you get lost midway. You can download a copy from the Kedarnath tourism website. If you have not been able to do this, opt to buy one from one of the several tourist centres around. Also, remember to keep an eye on the route as there are often ponies carrying travellers coming back from the temple. If you do not watch where you are going, you could easily bump into one of them and hurt yourself. 

Undertaking the Kedarnath Yatra can be a divine experience. This is definitely something that a true Shiva devotee would not want to miss during his/her lifetime. The best time to visit this sacred town is between May and June or September and October. Irrespective of which time of the year you prepare yourself for a Kedarnath Yatra, the above tips can help you to make sure that you get the best out of your trip. Moreover, trekking to Kedarnath is allowed only between 4:00AM and 1:30PM. So, do ensure that you plan your trip accordingly.