Everything You Need to Know About Panch Kedar: Complete Guide

Settled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. The Panch Kedar Trek, all five temples, are the most prominent, culturally rich, and the most spiritually significant places in the Indian Himalayas. The trail of these Hindu pilgrimages is said to be the most sacred and rugged terrain in Uttarakhand.

The Panch Kedar includes the five sacred temples: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. All these sacred shrines hold their own story, and a history that binds a connection between nature, mythology, and human faith in god.

As each trail narrates an ancient story of Lord Shiva, seeking a spiritual essence, it also offers an opportunity to witness the beauty of breathtaking alpine beauty, experience a thrilling, adventurous trek, and offer your prayers in these holy places.

With the help of TTH’s expertise, you can easily embark on a soul-stirring journey through these sacred Himalayas with complete safety and seamless planning. All you have to do is fully immerse yourself in devotion and admire the divine aura of these sacred places, the peaks you will witness, and the challenging, thrilling trail as you experience the Himalayas in their purest and majestic form.

So, let’s take you on this transformative journey with TTH, where you witness the human faith leading them to the mountains, with each step, the centuries of legends and blessings are echoed throughout the trail.

In this article, we will enlighten you about the origin and history of the Panch Kedar Trek as well as the mythological and spiritual significance of these sacred places. Apart from that, we will brief you on why you should undertake this trek and how going with TTH will enhance your spiritual experience.

Origin of the Panch Kedar

According to legends, the formation of the Panch Kedar dates back to the time when the Kurukshetra War, the war of the Mahabharat ended. The Pandavas were overwhelmed by the guilt of killing their own blood relatives and were seeking forgiveness from the mighty Lord Shiva for their sin.

However, unwilling to meet the Pandavas and upset by the bloodshed that happened in the war, he refused to meet them. When the Pandavas reached Kashi, he (Lord Shiva) escaped from there and moved to the Himalayas. The Pandavas also reached the Himalayas in search of him. Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull and hid in the Himalayas.

Later, when Bhima (one of the Pandavas) discovered him, he tried to hold him off, but Lord Shiva disappeared underground. Then all the Pandavas worshipped him and, impressed by their devotion as well as their acceptance and guilt, he appeared from the ground, but his form of bull was divided into five parts and was surfaced at five separate locations in Uttarakhand, each becoming a shrine today known as the Panch Kedar.

And that’s why the trail of these sacred temples is considered one of the most holy journeys after the Char Dham Yatra and the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra.

All About Panch Kedar: The Five Divine Shrines of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand

Embodying the five sacred testaments to Lord Shiva’s divine presence, and of all the countless devotion offered to the pilgrimage throughout the ages. All five temples - Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar are nestled on the uneven terrain of the Garhwal Himalayas.

Each temple radiates its own unique spiritual energy and has its own beauty, making the sacred trail to reach these temples a perfect blend of mythological presence, set against a breathtaking mountain landscape view. Combining all these holy temples, a story of faith, resilience, and an infinite bond between humans and the divine’s presence is narrated through it.

So, without any further ado, let’s explore and learn more about these majestic sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, and get to know more about how, with the assistance of Trek the Himalayas, the Panch Kedar journey can be a life-changing experience for you all.

Kedarnath Temple





Located at an altitude of 3,583m in the Garhwal Himalayas, the Kedarnath Temple is a sacred place for Hindus. It is dedicated to the all-mighty Lord Shiva. One of the 12 most prominent Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath Temple is said to have been reconstructed by Adi Shankara in the 8th Century.

Do You Know? It is said that Kedarnath is the exact spot where Lord Shiva took refuge as a bull to avoid the Pandavas. The temple is said to be built from a grey stone slab, with a large rock located behind the temple that protects the temple from floods and snowstorms. The lingam inside the garbhagriha is not a traditional lingam form; in fact, it is in the shape of a “Hump of the bull” representing Lord Shiva Sadashiva form.




Kedarnath Trek and its Beauty

The most significant milestone in your sacred journey of the Panch Kedar trek will be marked when you begin trekking to the Kedarnath Temple. The Kedarnath trek route begins at Gaurikund. The trail of this pilgrimage is lined with enchanting forest valleys, a beautiful landscape of vibrant, emerald lush meadows, and will take you through rough terrain.

Just halfway through your trek, you will come across some of the most scenic views, like a very mesmerising cascading waterfall, a perfect, clear view of the majestic mountain peaks and as you keep progressing, coming closer to the temple, soon you will start hearing the chimes of the bells, suggesting you are near your destination. The approach to the temple with the clear weather offers a dramatic, yet intimate view of the scenic mountains, and as the chilly air blows, it turns every step into a meditative experience.

Each year, due to heavy and dense snowfall, the Kedarnath Trek route is closed by the authorities in late October, and then the gates get reopened next year around early May. This trek, the wait to experience the strong presence of the divine force, teaches you a lot about stillness, humility and helps you understand what small creatures we ‘humans’ are in front of nature and god.

Tungnath Temple





Popularly known as the world's highest Shiva temple, the Tungnath temple is perched at 3500 m, symbolising its spiritual and mythological significance. Among the entire Panch Kedar Trek circuit, this temple comes in third place. In fact, the trail to reach the Tungnath temple actually leads to the Chandrashila summit, marking it as one of the other benefits of doing this trek.

Do You Know? The lingam form that resides in the Tungnath temple is different from the traditional one, as in this temple, it’s the arm of Lord Shiva Bull’s form that is worshipped here. This temple is actually constructed in the Nagara style, and the Tungnath trek distance is around 3.5 km via Chopta.




Tungnath Trek and its Beauty

The Tungnath Temple trek is a perfect blend of experiencing a thrilling trail, seeking a spiritual experience, and witnessing a trail covered with scenic beauty that looks like a replica of a breathtaking postcard. The Tungnath trek route begins from Chopta, and in the beginning, you get an opportunity to witness a glimpse of the Himalayan Ranges.

Then, as you keep walking further, you will cross the rhododendron and oak forests, which will lead you towards the wide alpine meadows. As you reach the point where the final ascent begins, all the struggle will start to make sense. Reaching your destination, you will be greeted with the centuries-old shrine that depicts the divine aura of Lord Shiva, where you will witness the most mesmerising sunrise and sunset, while peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul and other giant peaks will grace your view.

After soaking up the beauty surrounding the Tungnath temple, you just need to trek around 1 km more, and there you will be rewarded with the spectacular view at dawn.

The best time to experience the beauty of the Tungnath trek is from the beginning of April to November, as it's the perfect time when the beauty of the mountain peaks is visible clearly, making the journey more memorable.

In the whole Panch Kedar trek itinerary, the journey of the Tungnath trek is considered the most highlighted one, as it not only offers an opportunity to seek the divine blessing but also offers a perfect, awe-inspiring view of nature.

Rudranath Temple





The fourth temple among the Panch Kedar, the Rudranth Temple, is nestled in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. Among all the rest of the treks to the temples, this trek is considered the most adventurous and challenging trek due to its uneven terrain.

Do You Know? Among all Lord Shiva’s temples, the Rudranath Temple is the only one where Lord Shiva’s face (mukha) is worshipped. There is no specific structure to this temple as it is naturally set inside a rock cave, which is amidst the cloud-filled meadows. A lot of trekkers believe that when you are around the Rudranath temple, you can hear the wind echo a roar of ‘Rudra’ in the valley.




Rudranath Trek and Its Beauty

The journey to reach the Rudranath trek begins from the Lyuti Bugyal, and the trail of this trek is equipped with lots of abrupt twists in the route. As you begin your trek, you will come across a path that will have some grassy slopes and then some rocky patches on the trail, too.

A little further down the trail, a breathtaking glimpse of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti will come into your view, and the sides of the trails might be jewelled with praying flags and some small shrines at some distance on the trail.

Apart from these beautiful scenes, you will encounter a mesmerising view of the rhododendron-dense forest, looking so spectacular as it gets covered in the perfect red-pink shade as its flowers bloom.

Speaking of, the best time to visit and witness the beauty of Rudranath Temple and offer prayers to Lord Shiva is between May to November. The doors of the temple open up in mid-May and are closed in mid-November.

As compared to other Panch Kedar trek, the Rudranath trek gives you the most spiritually profound yet challenging trekking experience, where the reward is indeed worth all the struggle, but also happens to test all the limits of your physical endurance. The reward included a breathtaking scenic Himalayan view, an opportunity to trek on the uneven terrain and experience the peace in solitude while surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple





Located in Rudraprayag, the district of Uttarakhand. The Madhayamaheswar temple comes in fourth place among all the Panch Kedar Temples. Set at the 3,490 metres high this temple is known for its peaceful surroundings and offers a perfect postcard-like picturesque view.

Do You Know? Among all Lord Shiva’s temples, the Madhyamaheshwar Temple is the only one that worships Lord Shiva’s “Navel” (belly part) in the black stone Lingam form. The water of this temple is said to be so holy that just taking a few drops of it can purify your whole body. The temple is built from stone with a slab roof, featuring an open arc as well as a wooden stage providing a wide entry for the devotees.




The beginning of your trek to Madhyamaheshwar temple begins from Gaudhar, a place that offers very pleasant surroundings at the beginning of the trek only. What makes this trek more interesting is the fact that the trail of this trek has a very rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.

As you progress in your trek, the terrain will start to get steeper, making the trek more thrilling and adventurous for you all. Throughout the trail, you will cross a dense yet beautiful forest of oak and rhododendron. While getting a glimpse of the mesmerising peaks.

Ascending more towards the temple, the uneven terrain will require you to walk more carefully, and layer yourself properly since the altitude will increase more. Although the walk will seem a little tough, as you reach near the temple, the most perfect view of a wide alpine meadow will appear in front of you.

Finally, when you reach your destination and soak up the view around the temple, a calming and peaceful feeling will reside inside you. As you admire the beauty of nature and feel a divine presence around that place, while you offer your prayer to Lord Shiva.

Another important thing to keep in mind while you plan to take a trip to visit the Madhyamaheshwar temple is that to witness the surroundings of the temple in the most beautiful form, the best time to visit this temple is from May to June and then from September to October. During this period of time, the sky remains clear, pleasantly giving the most perfect view of the mountain peaks and the lush green meadows.

Kalpeshwar Temple





Among all the Panch Kedar temples, the trek to Kalpeshwar is far easier than the rest. It is located in the Urgam Valley of the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 6,900ft. It is the fifth as well as the last one in the Panch Kedar Pilgrimage order, marking the end of the Panch Kedar Trek.

Do You Know? In the Kalpeshwar Temple, the locks (Jata) of Lord Shiva are worshipped by the devotees. It's the only Panch Kedar Temple that remains open throughout the year. Also, the structure of the temple is in the old stone cave style.




The journey to the Kalpeshwar temple begins by driving on the mountain road. Unlike other temples, the route to it goes through a well-constructed road, allowing for more exploration of the Garhwal areas and to learn more about their culture.

As you drive through the charming turns of the mountains, you will witness lots of villages on the side, while in the distance, if you look, the meadows surrounding the area have wildflowers blooming, adding vibrant colours to the landscape.

The best part about the Kalpeshwar temple trek is that it's an easily accessible trek that provides a mild altitude experience of the Himalayas, as compared to the rest of the temple treks. Leading to getting opportunities to explore the mountain region, meditate in solitude and learn all about inner peace, resilience and understand the true essence of devotion.

Conclusion

The trekking journey of the Panch Kedar Trek is so much more than just walking on the trail or roaming through the roads of the Himalayas. This trek is more about getting to know our culture’s history, understanding the true meaning of devotion, and witnessing the untouched beauty of nature.

From Kedarnath to Kalpeshwar, all 5 pilgrimages hold a deep significance of spirituality, and allow exploring the raw beauty of the Himalayas that will remain with you even after coming back from the trek, and doing this trek with Trek The Himalayas will just elevate that experience, giving more meaning to it.

As TTH prefers to ensure that every moment you spends on those sacred lands, they experience and understand the true essence of embarking on this spiritual journey and by providing well-experienced and expert trek leaders, a well-planned itineraries, and all the possible facilities helps in making their journey smooth enough to create an environment that helps in understanding and feel the presence of the divine power.

So, if you are up for walking on the most sacred ground in Indian mythology, immerse yourself in devotion to Lord Shiva and explore the beauty of the Himalayas, the Panch Kedar trek awaits you. Let Trek The Himalayas guide your footsteps as you discover not just the mountains, but a deeper connection with yourself.

FAQs

1. What is the best time for the Panch Kedar Trek with TTH?

The best time to visit the Panch Kedar Trek is from May to June and September to November, as during this period of time, the weather remains pleasant, the trails are also stable, and the temple gates open to offer prayers by the devotee.

2. What is the traditional Panch Kedar trek route?

The classic Panch Kedar trek route starts from Kalpeshwar, followed by Rudranath, then Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and then ends at Kalpeshwar.

3. What kind of accommodation and meals does TTH provide on the Panch Kedar Trek?

TTH provides guesthouse, homestay, and campsite accommodations depending on the location, along with nutritious vegetarian meals, ensuring comfort throughout the journey.

4. What makes TTH a reliable choice for the Panch Kedar Trek?

TTH offers expert trek leaders, safety protocols, experienced staff, well-planned routes, and an immersive spiritual experience, making the journey smooth, safe, and meaningful.