Gaurikund-The Sacred Abode of Goddess Parvati

Gaurikund

Gauri Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site and base camp for trek to Kedarnath Temple, in Uttarakhand, India. It is situated at an altitude of 1981 meters above mean sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas. The place is named after Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva, and a temple Gauri is also situated here. Gaurikund Uttarakhand is located in the Rudraprayag district and holds great religious and mythological significance, especially for devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Devotees visiting Kedarnath often begin their journey from Gaurikund Uttarakhand. From Gaurikund, the trek to Kedarnath Temple covers a distance of approximately 16 kilometers and involves a steep ascent. The path is scenically beautiful, passing through lush forests, and waterfalls, and offering glimpses of snow-capped peaks. Gaurikund itself is considered sacred, and pilgrims often take a holy dip in the hot springs located there, known as the Gaurikund Uttarakhand. It is believed that bathing in these hot springs cleanses one’s sins and purifies the soul before embarking on the journey to Kedarnath.

Gaurikund temperature

Gaurikund Uttarakhand is renowned as the starting point for the trek to Kedarnath, one of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, Gaurikund is believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati meditated and performed penance to win Lord Shiva’s favor and attain him as her husband.

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Attraction Gaurikund Uttarakhand

Gaurikund Temple

The temple has the idol of Goddess Parvati in it, where devotees present their prayers. People on their manner to Kedarnath make it a point to halt here to come to this sacred spiritual place.

Gauri Kund

Gauri Lake, Parvati Sarovar, or the Lake of Sympathy, is the lake where Goddess Parvati breathed life into Lord Ganesha. Hindus believe this lake to be a holy place and take a ritual bath here. Unhappily, after the 2013 floods, there is only a small stream of water flowing in place of the Kund.

How to Reach Gaurikund 

The nearest airport to Gaurikund is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a shared cab to reach Gaurikund. The distance between Dehradun and Gaurikund is approximately 235 kilometers, and the journey takes around 7-8 hours by road.

The nearest major railway station to Gaurikund is Rishikesh Railway Station. Gaurikund is well-connected by road, and you can reach there by private vehicle or public transportation from various nearby cities and towns.

Rishikesh to Gaurikund- Approximately 210 kilometers (130 miles), 7-8 hours by road.

Haridwar to Gurikund- Approximately 240 kilometers (149 miles), 8-9 hours by road.

Dehradun to Gaurikund- Approximately 235 kilometers (146 miles), 7-8 hours by road.

Delhi to Gaurikund- Approximately 440 kilometers (273 miles), 12-13 hours by road.

It’s important to note that after reaching Gaurikund, the onward journey to Kedarnath Temple is undertaken by foot or on mules/palkis (palanquins) as there is no motorable road beyond Gaurikund. The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is approximately 16 kilometers and involves a steep ascent.

Sonprayag to Gaurikund distance

The distance between Sonprayag and Gaurikund Uttarakhand is approximately 5 kilometers. Sonprayag is a small village located on the way to Kedarnath from Rishikesh, and it serves as a gateway to the trek. From Sonprayag, pilgrims have to continue their journey by foot or by hiring a local vehicle to reach Gaurikund, which is the last motorable point before the trek to Kedarnath Temple begins.

Dormitory in Gaurikund

Gaurikund Uttarakhand offers various accommodation options for pilgrims and travelers. While there are limited options for dormitories in Gaurikund, you can find basic accommodations that cater to the needs of the visitors. It’s important to note that the facilities may be simple, and availability can vary during peak pilgrimage seasons. Here are a few places where you might find dormitory-style accommodations in Gaurikund Uttarakhand-

GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) Tourist Rest House- GMVN operates a tourist rest house in Gaurikund, providing basic accommodation options including dormitory rooms. They offer clean rooms with shared facilities like bathrooms and toilets. It is advisable to make prior reservations as availability can be limited, especially during peak seasons.

Campsites- During the peak pilgrimage season, temporary campsites are set up in Gaurikund to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims. These campsites offer tents or basic accommodations with shared facilities. While not specifically dormitories, they provide shared spaces for pilgrims to stay at affordable rates.