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About
Gauri Kund |
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Gauri Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site and base camp for trek
to Kedarnath Temple, in Uttaranchal, India. It is a small city
which is about 205 kms from Rishikesh and it is the last road
stop for the great sacred hindu place Kedarnath. It is
situated at an elevation of more than 6000 feet in the Garhwal
Himalayas. Gauri Kund is connected with Shiva's wife Parvati,
also known as Gauri. In Hindu folklore, Gauri committed to
sacrament 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 married at
Triyugi Narayan, which is located nearby. There are hot
springs in Gaurikund and they are converted to bathing places.
Pilgrims spend nights here and start their 14 km long trek by
various means. Hot Springs, old Gauri temple and connected
Hindu stories make Gaurikund a very prominent place.
Gaurikund is a natural wonder that still remains immaculate by
the ever increasing industrial world. It offers comfortable
boarding and lodging facilities like tourist guest houses and
hotels.
This place is also linked with the legend of how Ganesha
attained his elephant head. While bathing in the kund, Goddess
Parvati fashioned Ganesha from the soap suds on her body
breathed life into him and placed him at the entrance as her
guard. Lord Shiva happened to arrive at the spot and he was
stopped by Ganesha. Angry at this affront, Shiva cut off
Ganesha's head and Parvati was terribly upset. She persisted
that the boy be brought back to life and Shiva took the head
of a wandering elephant and placed it on Ganesha's body.
Parvati had her son back and Ganesha acquired the persona by
which he is known all over the Hindu world since then. |
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Location of Gaurikund |
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Gaurikund is situated amidst pristine Himalayan environs; it is
located in the district of Rudraprayag in the hill state of
Uttrakhand in India. At an elevation of 1, 982 meters above the
sea level, Gauri kund offers magnificent panoramic view of snow
capped higher Himalayan peaks. On clear days, one can even see
the famous Kedarnath temple from here.
Gaurikund is situated on the banks of river Mandakhini and about
5 kms from Sonprayag, it is the last bus stop en route
Kedarnath. From hereon there is a steep climb to the celebrated
destination of Kedarnath. |
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Religious Significance of Gaurikund |
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Gaurikund has a hot water spring by the same name and
Chardham pilgrims make it a point to take a bath in the
hot water before visiting the Kedarnath Shrine. It is
believed that taking a holy dip in the holy pond will wash
of all sins and a holy darshan of Kedarnath Shiva after
that will fulfills all wishes of the devotees. Gaurikund
also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati Devi, the
Gauri Devi Temple. This is the place where Goddess
Parvathi Devi meditated to attain Lord Shiva.
There is another thermal springs on the right bank of
Mandakini, Garam Kund – an enclosed hot spring for women
with separate dress changing rooms. |
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Interesting Places Around Gaurikund |
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Apart
from being the last stop before steep Kedarnath trek Gaurikund
itself has some interesting places to visit. There is a hot
water pond where the pilgrims en route Kedarnath take bath. The
attractive mountainous destination of Gaurikund is also home to
the ancient temple of Gauri Mata. This temple is dedicated to
Goddess Gauri or Parvati.
Ancient Temple of Ganesha
Ancient Temple of Ganesha is located a few kilometers away from
the water tanks; this temple is distinctive in its own way. It
is an ancient temple of beheaded Ganesha.
Hot and Cold Water Tanks
On way to Gaurikund one finds two water tanks - one consisting
of hot water with traces of sulphur and the other a fascinating
cold water spring that changes color in keeping with the
changing time of the day. |
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How To Reach Gaurikund |
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By
Rail
Nearest Railway station from Gaurikund is at Rishikesh which is
at a distance of about 216 kms from Gaurikund.
By
Road
It is well connected with important destinations of the
region like Haridwar, Sonprayag, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag,
Dehradun and so on.
By Air
Nearest airport from Gaurikund is Jolly Grant of Dehradun which
is at a distance of about 236 kms. |
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