Date of Travel: 31 May – Early June
Route: Chandigarh → Dehradun → Gopeshwar → Sagar → Rudranath Temple

Introduction: A Journey Beyond Just a Trek

While the world ran toward crowded hill stations this summer, I took the road less travelled — toward Rudranath, one of the five sacred Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva. Known as the most challenging among them, Rudranath tests your limits and blesses your soul. So before starting the blog let me explain to you guys about the story behind 5 kedar.

🌄 The Legend Behind Panch Kedar

After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas wanted to atone for the sin of killing their relatives and Brahmins during the war. They went in search of Lord Shiva to seek forgiveness.

But Lord Shiva, was angry over the bloodshed and did not want to meet them. He disguised himself as a bull (Nandi) and hide in the Garhwal Himalayas.

The Pandavas pursued him, and Bhima, finally spotted the bull. He tried to catch it, but the bull vanished into the ground, leaving behind different parts of its body at five places. These five places became the Panch Kedar:

📍 The Five Kedar Temples and Shiva’s Body Parts:

1. Kedarnath – The hump of the bull appeared here. It is the most prominent and highest among the Panch Kedar.
   
2. Tungnath – The arms (or bahu) of Shiva emerged here. It’s the highest Shiva temple in the world.
   
3. Rudranath – The face (mukh) of Shiva was seen here. It is known for its natural rock temple and scenic meadows.
   
4. Madhyamaheshwar – The navel (nabhi) or stomach of the bull surfaced here.
   
5. Kalpeshwar – The hair (jata) of Shiva was revealed here. It is the only Panch Kedar temple open year-round.

Let’s resume our blog.  Here’s my complete travel story — raw, real, and full of emotion.

Departure from Chandigarh – 31 May

May 31st, late at night, I caught a bus from Chandigarh. With every passing mile, the chaos of city life melted away, replaced by the calm promise of the mountains.

By morning, I reached Dehradun ISBT, and by 7:00 AM, I was on a bus to Sagar village. The ride took nearly 11 hours but felt shorter thanks to the shifting Himalayan views outside my window.

I reached by 6 PM. I found a homestay there — simple, warm, and surrounded by green mountain. That night, under the mountain sky, I slept with nervous excitement. Tomorrow, the real journey would begin.

Day 1: The Trek Begins – Into the Wild

We began our trek at 7 AM after breakfast. The path was steep but beautiful — no filter needed, no distractions, just breath and mountains.

Checkpoint 1: Pung Kharak – Meadows of Peace (4 km)

After 4 km of gentle ascent, we arrived at Pung Kharak, a peaceful stop surrounded by lush green bugyals. The meadows stretched wide like nature’s welcome mat.

We sat down, breathed deeply, and smiled. We were finally in the wild. With some water and a few pictures, we moved forward — deeper into the forest and higher into solitude.

Checkpoint 2: Mauli Kharak – Whispers of the Forest (8 km)

The trail to Mauli Kharak passed through dense forest — tall trees, scattered sunlight, and the sound of a distant waterfall.

At 8 km in, we paused here. We didn’t talk much. Everyone was quietly in awe. Sometimes, nature doesn’t need your words. It needs your silence. We rested, munched on some snacks, and pushed forward.

Checkpoint 3: Lwinti Bugyal – A Pause in Heaven

Around midday, we reached Lwinti Bugyal — an open meadow so beautiful that many trekkers stop here for the night.

But we weren’t ready to rest yet. We had lunch here — simple but so satisfying when eaten under the open sky. The clouds played around the mountains like kids on summer vacation.

Checkpoint 4: Panar Bugyal – Tired Legs, Big Views

From Lwinti, the trail turned steep and rocky. Every step toward Panar Bugyal demanded energy and willpower.

But once we reached, the views were beyond worth it — you could see the Trishul and Nanda Ghunti ranges if you looked long enough through the clouds.

My legs ached, but my heart felt alive.

 Checkpoint 5: Pitradhar – Snowfall in June? Yes.

And then came Pitradhar, the highest point on the trek. As we reached, something unbelievable happened — it started snowing.

Yes, snow in June.

I stood still, closed my eyes, and let the flakes fall on my face. I wasn’t tired anymore. I was just… grateful. I had never seen snow in June. It felt like Mahadev himself was blessing the journey.

 Reaching Rudranath Temple – Faith > Fatigue

By 7 PM, we finally reached the Rudranath Temple. Tired, yes. Broken? Not even close.

The evening aarti was already underway. The bells, the chanting, the glowing lamps — everything made sense in that moment. The climb, the effort, the sore feet — it all led to this.

And the best part? All my tiredness just vanished. I couldn’t explain it. You have to feel it to believe it.

 Night Stay – Dharmshala > Private Camps

We had dinner at a private camp, but decided to stay in the Dharmshala. Best decision ever.

It was warmer, quieter, and cheaper, and somehow felt more spiritual — like being a guest in Mahadev’s home.

Day 2: Sunrise, Ice-Cold Bath & Pure Bliss

We woke up at 5 AM. The sunrise over the Himalayas is something I’ll carry in my soul forever.

Then came the ultimate test — a bath in Narayan Kund. The temperature? Around 2°C. The water? Icy. But the feeling afterward?
Rebirth.

Fresh and shivering, we attended the morning aarti inside the temple. This one was quieter, deeper, and I could feel my inner world quieting down too.

Saraswati Kund – One Last Breath of Magic

Before leaving, we visited Saraswati Kund, just 500 meters from the temple. A still pond, surrounded by meadows and snow-tipped mountains. From there, we saw Nanda Devi glowing in the morning light.

I didn’t speak. I just sat there. Watching. Feeling. Surrendering.

Down Trek – Goats, Shepherds & Bhotia Dogs

We began our descent at 10:30 AM. The mountains looked completely different in morning light — more alive, more welcoming.

On the trail, we met local shepherds with herds of goats and sheep, guarded by three loyal Bhotia dogs — one in front, one in the middle, one at the back.

It felt like a scene from a mountain fairytale.

We clicked some final pictures, laughed more, and by 7 PM, we were back in Sagar. We stayed the night and slept like rocks.

How Much Did It All Cost? (Budget Summary)

💸 Total: ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 for 3–4 days

(Yes, you can find your peace — without breaking your bank.)

What’s Next? Kalpeshwar Mahadev

Our journey didn’t end here. The next morning, we began the road to Kalpeshwar. But that’s a story for another day — and another blog.

Final Reflections

This wasn’t just a trek.
This was letting go.
Of stress, of ego, of comfort.

Rudranath gave me more than views. It gave me clarity. A reminder that the toughest climbs do lead to the most peaceful places — both outside and inside.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my journey. I hope it inspires you to take your own.

💬 Let’s Connect

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