Gaurikund Travel Guide (Char Dham)

Gaurikund is the gateway of Kedarnath Yatra. It is situated at the banks of the river Mandakini. Gauri Kund is an important Hindu pilgrimage site on the way to Kedarnath, which is another 14 kms uphill from there. It is situated at an altitude of more than 6000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas.

It is the final road-head towards trek to Kedarnath Temple and you can continue your CharDham Yatra towards Badrinath Temple. Several areas are preserved like so as to conserve the beauty of nature and avoid extinction of the flora and fauna.

It is a place where the temple of Goddess Parvati situated. All the pilgrims must take a bath here before going to the Kedarnath temple. The Gaurikund Temple and the Gauri lake is the most famous landmark of this popular place.

After the disaster of 2013 in Kedarnath, the old trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple via Rambara which has a complete walking distance of 14 km, was destroyed by the flood or washed away on that disaster in 2013. After this, the trek route has improved which is now completely safe and has all the facilities.

The place is fully covered by snow in the winter season. It opens only for six months in a year in which outsiders of pilgrims visit there on the month of March to November.

Mythology/ Importance of 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 finally admitted His love for Her. They were finally married at Triyugi Narayan, which is not too far away.

This pilgrimage site boasts of a natural hot spring and this is one of the reasons that supposedly prompted Gauri to pick this as a place to indulge in a hard penance. A portion of the tank or kund has been covered to serve as the bathing place for ladies.

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.

Char Dham Distance Chart From Gaurikund

Gaurikund is base camp for Kedarnath trek and pilgrims take a night halt before starting trek to Kedarnath temple during their Char Dham yatra.
Gaurikund is the final roadhead towards Kedarnath and here one continues their yatra towards Badrinath.

Gaurikund – Yamunotri

Distance:- 330 kms
Time:- 10-12 hrs
Route:– Gaurikund – Sonprayag – Rudraprayag – Srinagar – Chinyalisaur – Dharasu Band – Barkot – Jankichatti – Yamunotri

Gaurikund – Gangotri

Distance:- 322 kms
Time:- 10-12 hrs
Route:- Gaurikund – Sonprayag – Ukhimath – Maikoti – Ghansali – Uttarkashi – Gangotri

Gaurikund – Kedarnath

Distance:- 16 kms
Route:- Gaurikund – Jungle Chatti – Bheembali – Linchauli – Kedarnath Base Camp – Kedarnath Temple

Gaurikund – Badrinath

Distance:– 232 kms
Time:– 8-9 hrs
Route:- Gaurikund – Sonprayag – Ukhimath – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandaprayag – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Badrinath

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) 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, ukhimath block District rudraprayag (uttarakhand, 246469 Rudraprayāg, India.

2) 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, 246469 Ukhimath, India.

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, 246471 Ukhimath, India.

4) 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, 246271 Gaurikund, India

5) 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, Jakhdhar dewar road Rudrapur, 246439 Gupta Kāshi, India.

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 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.

Route 2:- 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.