Gaurikund, Guptkashi | Gaurikund timings, photos, address

Gaurikund, Guptakashi Overview

Gaurikund in Guptakashi is famous for being the starting point and the last road head before the Kedarnath Yatra begins. Gaurikund is located on the banks of the River Mandakini and is rightly considered to be the gateway to spirituality and salvation. Located at an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level, the Gaurikund Temple and Gauri Lake are important landmarks that the place is famous for.

After the disastrous floods shook Kedarnath in 2013, the original trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, via Rambara, a total walking distance of 14 kilometers, was completely washed away. However, after this sad event, the trek route has improved considerably and is now absolutely safe, complete with all facilities, thanks to the efforts of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). Today, Gaurikund has decent accommodation options in the form of dharamshalas, hotels, and guest houses. The area is almost always under the cover of a snow blanket, except from March to November.

History Of Gaurikund

The place Gaurikund is named after the Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. According to popular myths and legends, Gaurikund is the place where Goddess Parvati did penance, which involved ascetic and yoga practices, to win over Lord Shiva. It is widely believed that Lord Shiva accepted to marry Parvati at this place and the wedding took place in Triyugi Narayan, which is also located nearby.

Gaurikund is also related to Lord Ganesha and the story of how he acquired his elephant head. It is believed that while taking a bath, Parvati fashioned Ganesha from the soap lather on her body and placed him at the entrance as her guard. When Lord Shiva arrived and was stopped by Ganesha, he became furious and chopped off the boy's head. Upon Parvati's insistence that the child be brought back to life, Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on Ganesha’s body.

Attractions In Gaurikund

The area offers vivid greenery with Vasuki Ganga flowing from below. Located amongst lush green forests, the place boasts of its panoramic views and the two famous attractions located here: Gaurikund Temple and Gauri Lake.

1. Gaurikund Temple: This temple has the idol of Goddess Parvati in it, where devotees offer their prayers. People on their way to Kedarnath make it a point to stop here to visit this holy religious site.

2. Gauri Kund: Also known as Gauri Lake, Parvati Sarovar or the Lake of Compassion, this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha. Hindus consider this lake to be a sacred spot and take a ritual bath here. Sadly, after the 2013 floods, there is only a small stream of water flowing in place of the Kund.

Gaurikund To Kedarnath

The Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range. Since the temple is unstable, it is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by an uphill trek from Gaurikund. Devotees have the option of walking to the temple via a 14-kilometre trek, availing the services of a helicopter or hiring a pony.

Gaurikund to Kedarnath trekking route:
Following the flash flood in 2013, a new trekking route was built to connect the two places. The new route is extremely safe and well developed and has all the required facilities available. The route is 8-10 feet wide and has an iron railing on its edge. Shelters, where tourists can take rest, are built at every 500 meters or so. The trekking route for the first 7 kilometres is gradual, but for the subsequent 7 kilometres, the path is steep. The route for the last 3 kilometres goes up and down gradually. It takes about 7 hours to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund.
The route to be taken is as follows:
Gaurikund- Rambara Bridge- Jungle Chatti- Bheembali- Linchauli- Kedarnath Base Camp- Kedarnath Temple

Gaurikund to Kedarnath pony charges:
Visitors can hire horses to make their journey comfortable and smooth. A pony from Gaurikund to Kedarnath costs INR 1,400; while a return trip would cost you INR 1,100.

Gaurikund to Kedarnath by helicopter:
A helicopter can be booked online to take you to Kedarnath. This service can be availed from Phata, Sersi, Sitapur and Guptkashi.
A one way trip from the base helipad to the temple or the other way round costs INR 3,500 while a round trip will cost you around INR 5,800.

Best Time To Visit Gaurikund

The best time to visit this holy place is from March to November when the snow is cleared out, and all roads are easily accessible. This is also the same time when the Kedarnath temple is open to the general public for darshan. The weather during this period is refreshing and pleasing, though cold.

Stay Near Gaurikund

It is easy to find decent accommodation here. Dharamshalas, guest houses and hotels provide excellent facilities and services at affordable prices. Shivalik Valley Resorts, Bhawani Tourist Complex and JPG Palace are some good options that you can consider.

Tips For Visiting Gaurikund

Avoid the monsoon season as heavy rains could mean blocked roads due to landslides. It is advisable to advance book your hotel as during this season its difficult to find accommodation in the region.

How to reach Gaurikund

Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is 224 km away from Gaurikund. One can easily hire a cab or take a bus for Gaurikund from the airport.
Rail: The nearest rail head is at Rishikesh which is about 202 km away from Gaurikund. One can easily get a cab or a bus for Gaurikund from the railway station.
Road: Gaurikund is well connected to different parts of the state by motorable roads. Buses regularly connect the town to nearby cities and towns.

Guptakashi Travel Packages

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6 Days / 5 Nights

Kedarnath and Badrinath Darshan via Helicopter

Dehradun(0N) → Guptkashi(2N) → Joshimath(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Rudraprayag(1N)

₹45,000/person

11 Days / 10 Nights

Uttarakhand Religious Tour Package

Mumbai(0N) → Haridwar(1N) → Barkot(2N) → Yamunotri(0N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Gangotri(0N) → Guptkashi(2N) → Badrinath(2N) → Devprayag(1N)

₹ 65,000

5% off

₹61,250/person

10 Days / 9 Nights

Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath Yatra from Delhi

Delhi(0N) → Haridwar(1N) → Uttarkashi(2N) → Gangotri(0N) → Guptkashi(1N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Rudraprayag(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Joshimath(1N) → Rishikesh(1N)

₹60,140/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

Spiritual Tour of Uttarakhand

Delhi(0N) → Haridwar(1N) → Guptakashi(1N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Rudraprayag(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Joshimath(1N) → Rishikesh(1N)

₹ 29,800

21% off

₹23,340/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Package from Haridwar

Haridwar(0N) → Guptakashi(2N) → Kedarnath(1N) → Badrinath(1N) → Haridwar(1N)

₹ 42,400

10% off

₹38,160/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

Kedarnath from Delhi by Cab

Delhi(0N) → Haridwar(1N) → Guptakashi(2N) → Haridwar(1N)

₹ 19,000

18% off

₹15,500/person

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Gaurikund Reviews

Your rating

Rohit Shroff

on Gaurikund 6 years ago

Gaurikund is the last destination before going to the Kedarnath temple. It is about 34km away from the Guptakshi. Here the pilgrims bathe in the hot sulphur springs and pray in Gauri temple. It is b (Read More)elieved that at this place Ma Gauri did penance or meditation to find Lord shiva as her husband. The Gaurikund is well connected with transport system with a well-built road system. To go further one has to trek.