Rudranath trek: "A sceinc and spiritual journey"
Date of the Trek: 06/07/2022
Rudranath, where the angry face of lord shiva is worshipped.
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Rudranath clutches special importance in the heart of Lord Shiva's devotees. Amongst the 'Panch Kedar' (Rudranath, Kedarnath, Tungnath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar) Rudranath is a far-flung temple situated in the Garhwal region of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:01 Gopeshwar
2:10 Saggar Village
3:03 Pung Bugyal
4:01 Falls of the Rudranath
5:22 Trek route
7:51 Drone shots of Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary
9:30 Lwiti Bugyal
11:00 Panaar Bugyal
18:00 Pitra Dhar
19:00 360° bird eye view
23:20 Panch Ganga
25:00 Rudranath
25:33 Narad Kund
26:26 Rudranath Mandir
29:00 Rudranath Aarti
34:30 Shiva and Himalayas
History:
The Rudranath temple is surrounded by the higher Garhwal Himalayan mountains and is located at an elevation of 3600 m. It is said that this important Hindu shrine was built in the 8th Century AD and is said to shelter the face of Lord Shiva. Whereas, other parts of his bull incarnation like the hump, is in Kedarnath; arms in Tungnath, navel, and stomach are in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair is in Kalpeshwar. Trekkers have to trudge through an arduous trek that can only take them to his pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand.
Geography:
Along with the sacred temple that is situated in the beautiful alpine meadows, Rudranath is adorned by several blessed water bodies like; Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, Manas Kund, Vaitarani, Baitarani, and Rudraganga rivers. One can also relish the awe-inspiring views of the mountain peaks of Devasthan, Nanda Ghunti, Hathi Parbat, Nanda Devi, and Trishul.
Weather:
Summer is the best time or season to plan the holidays in Rudranath. During this time, the place experiences pleasant weather. While winter in Rudranath is chilly.
1. Summer:
The months of April to June are considered the summer season in Rudranath. The weather during these months remains very pleasant and moderate and the temperature ranges from 13°C to 17°C throughout this time. Summer is the ideal season for visiting Rudranath and other nearby attractions.
2. Monsoon:
The monsoon season in Rudranath is from July to September. During these months, the beautiful land of Rudranath freshens up with average rain. Despite the rains that make visiting here quite challenging, many tourists still consider it the best time to visit.
3. Winters:
Winters are chilly in Rudranath and the village gets covered with sheets of snow. The season starts in October and lasts until February. The roads during these months get blocked because of heavy snow, and thus restrict tourism.
Stays:
Since Rudranath is not a place where you can reach in just a single day. During the trekking, you will arrive at a number of places where lodging facility is available. On the route only Lwiti Bugyal, and Rudranath temple have the staying provisions.
How to Reach Rudranath?
1. BY AIR:
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport which is in Dehradun and at a distance of 258 km from Rudranath.
2. BY RAIL:
The nearest railway stations from Rudranath are Rishikesh and Haridwar, which are situated at a distance of 213 km and 236 km from Gopeshwar respectively. One can get a taxi or bus to reach Gopeshwar or Sagar Village from the two railway stations.
3. BY ROAD:
Rudranath is easily connected with Gopeshwar and Saggar village by road. From Sagar Village, the trek for Rudranath begins. The cab and bus are the most convenient way to reach Gopeshwar and Saggar Village.
Vishwanath Bus service: 07419863133
Address: 29, Raipur Rd, Rajesh Colony, Suman Nagar, Dalanwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001
Once you reach Gopeshwar, you need to travel further to reach Rudranath Temple. The Trek starts from Saggar village, which is approximately 8 kilometers from Gopeshwar. From Gopeshwar, you can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep to Saggar. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on road conditions.
Trek Route:
Gopeshwar - Saggar Village - Pung Bugyal - Lwiti Bugyal - Panar Bugyal - Pitra Dhar - Panch Ganga - Devdharshani - Rudranath Temple.
The Key highlight of Rudranath trek -
1. Saggar Village
2. Pung bugyal
3. Panar Bugyal
4. Ancient Rudranath Temple
5. Pitra Dhar (highest point on rudranath trail)
6. Saraswati Kund
7. Narad Kund
8. 360° view of Himalaya snow mountains (Nanda Devi, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, and others)
9. Vaitrni River or Baitarani or Rudraganga
Prepare for the journey:
Pack essential items like warm clothing, rain gear, sturdy shoes, a first aid kit, water, and snacks.
Trekking Guidelines:
a. Respect the environment and local customs. Avoid littering and follow any instructions given by the authorities or guides.
d. Carry sufficient cash
Voice over Credit:
Rahul Vaishnava and Shashank Kothari
Drone shot Credit:
Drone shots of the rudranath trek have been taken from DJI Mavic 3 by Vikas Sharma.
Special thanks to Vibhu bhai.