Gauri Kund is an important Hindu pilgrimage site on the way to Kedarnath Dham, which is another 14 kilometers uphill from there. It is situated at an altitude of more than 6000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas. Gaurikund also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati Devi, the Gauri Devi Temple. This is the place where Goddess Parvati Devi meditated to attain Lord Shiva. From Gaurikund Chardham yatra need to trek 14 km to reach Kedarnath Temple. The most Superior time to visit the place is fall in between the month of May to October. Kedarnath is one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Gaurikund is related with Lord Shiva wife Parvati commonly known as Gauri in all parts of the Country. There are several hotels, lodges, dharamshala, and guest house facilities for Chardham pilgrims in Gaurikund. His pilgrimage site boasts of a natural hot spring and this is one of the reasons that supposedly prompted Devi Gauri to pick this as a place to indulge in hard penance. A portion of the tank or kund has been covered to serve as the bathing place for ladies. They were finally married at Triyugi Narayan, which is not too far away from Gauikund.
History and Mythology About Gaurikund
Gauri Kund is connected with Shiva’s wife Parvati, also known as Gauri in various parts of India. In Hindu folklore, Gauri committed herself to penance involving many ascetic and yogic practices to win over Shiva’s affections. Local tradition claims that Gauri Kund is the spot where Gauri lived while carrying out these practices and it was here that Shiva proposed her for marriage and were finally married at Triyugi Narayan, which is not too far away. This place is also associated with the legend of how Ganesha acquired his elephant head. The lake is also famous as “Parvati Sarovar” as this was the place where goddess Parvati had acquired her son Ganesha.
Goddess Parvati had formed an image of Ganesha from the soap lather on her body and breathed life into it. She placed Ganesha at the entrance of her home as her janitor to prevent anyone from entering while she was bathing. Now Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and was stopped by Ganesha. The offended Lord Shiva cut off the boy’s head. Parvati insisted that the boy be brought back to life and Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on Ganesha’s body and and life was restored and Parvati had her son back.
Places to Visit in Gaurikund
This beautiful area offers greenery with flowing Vasuki Ganga below. It is situated in the lush green forest, it offers the perfect panoramic view. There are some popular places to visit near Gaurikund which are:-
- Gaurikund Temple: This is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Parvati who is the wife of the Hindu Lord Shiva. In this temple pilgrims offers their prayers. Pilgrims on their way or yatra to Kedarnath Temple makes it a point to stop here to visit this holy religious temple.
- Gauri Kund: This Kund is also known as Gauri Lake, the Lake of Compassion or Parvati Sarovar, Hindu people consider this lake as a sacred lake and believes that this is the lake where Goddess Parvati had breathed life into Lord Ganesha.
- Kedarnath Temple:- Kedarnath is one of the most holiest temple in Uttarakhand state. It is one of the four main temple which comes under the Chota Char Dham circuit and also the main temple of Panch Kedar.
- Sonprayag:– It is situated on the confluence of twon sacred rivers which are Mandakini and Vasuki river. This place is located on the route of Kedarnath Temple.
Gaurikund During Char Dham Yatra
Gaurikund is base camp for Kedarnath trek and pilgrims take a night halt before starting trek to Kedarnath temple during their Char Dham yatra tour package. Gaurikund is the final road-head towards Kedarnath and here one continues their yatra towards Badrinath. Several areas are preserved like so as to conserve the beauty of the nature and avoid extinction of the flora and fauna.
Car Rental For Char Dham Yatra
Car rental service for Char Dham Yatra or for individual Char Dham Temples (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri), Here you will find all types of the latest information about Cabs/Taxi Rental Services with rates from your city. We have some of the best car rental operators offering the quality & efficient Car Hire service for pilgrimage tours in Uttarakhand.
Char Dham Distance Chart From Gaurikund
| |
Distance |
Time |
Route |
| Badrinath |
232 kms |
9 hrs |
Gaurikund -> Sonprayag -> Rudraprayag -> Karnaprayag -> Nandprayag -> Pipalkoti -> Joshimath -> Badrinath |
| Kedarnath |
16 Kms |
5 hrs |
Gaurikund -> Kedarnath |
| Gangotri |
322 kms |
12 hrs |
Gaurikund – Sonprayag – Ukhimath – Maikoti – Ghansali – Uttarkashi – Gangotri |
| Yamunotri |
330 kms |
12 hrs |
Gaurikund – Sonprayag – Rudraprayag – Srinagar -> Chinyalisaur -> Dharasu Band -> Barkot -> Jankichatti -> Yamunotri |
Top 5 Places To Stay In Gaurikund
There are few options for accommodation in Gaurikund during Char Dham Yatra. Following is the list of hotels, resorts, guest houses in Gaurikund.
1) OYO 49942 Mata Dhara
It has a 24 hr front desk and Room service and it also provide a restaurant where you can have continental breakfast. The hotel rooms has all the essential facilities like TV, Wardrobe and a private bathroom
Address:- Temple Approach Rd, Ukhimath, Ukhimath.
2) Cafe Nirvana
It feature accommodation with a restaurant and offers free wifi, 24 hr front desk and Room service with a beautiful mountain view from the balcony. It also has a children playground. They can also arrange cycle for their guests if the guest wants to do cycling.
Address:- Village Sari, Rudraprayag Uttarakhand.
3) KEDAR VALLEY
This hotel has all the facilities like Restaurant, 24 hr front desk, room service, TV, private bathroom, a balcony with garden view and free wifi. This hotel also has the private parking facility and provides the paid shuttle services for their guests.
Address:- Byung Gad, Guptkashi, Ukhimath.
4) Kedar camp resorts
It is situated in Guptkashi, This resort has an inhous restaurant which specialises in Indian cuisine. There is a fully equipped private bathroom with free toiletries. Guests at the camps can enjoy a vegetarian breakfast.
Address:- Kalyani, Rudrapur, GuptaKashi.
5) Chandralok Tourist Lodge
The area is famous for its windsurfing and the hotel offers rental bike and car hire for their guests. It offers a vegetarian breakfast/ This hotel has all the facilities like Free parking, dry cleaning, 24 hr front desk, private bathroom etc.
Address:- Sonprayag- Kedarnath Trekking Way Sitapur, Gaurikund.
How to Reach Gaurikund
Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads but the place does not have any airports and railway stations. Many pilgrims visit Gaurikund during the month of March – November for religious purposes because it is the base for Kedarnath Temple Yatra. You can easily travel here by using public transport as well as by driving your own vehicle.
Route 1:- Delhi – Gaurikund via Dehradun
By Road:- Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to Gaurikund from Delhi via Dehradun. You can also drive your car to travel Gaurikund.
Gaurikund does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Dehradun via train or air then hire taxi, cab, or local bus to reach Gaurikund. It will take approximately 8 hours to reach Gaurikund.
Route 2:- Delhi – Gaurikund via Haridwar
By Road:- Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads from Delhi. There are many regular buses available for traveling to Gaurikund from Delhi via Haridwar. You can also drive your car to travel Gaurikund.
Gaurikund does not have any railway station & its own airport. Tourists can reach Haridwar via train then hire a taxi, cab, or local bus to reach Gaurikund. It will take approximately 8 hours to reach Gaurikund.
