Cleaning of Ganga

The Central government is about to conduct a meeting in coming days with the pradhans of 1657 villages along the Ganga river in order to reduce the level of pollution in Ganga. The meeting shall be held on 30^th January 2016 for whole day and the participation of all the village heads shall be made available. The ministry of water resources shall share different models on water resources with the village heads under the “Ganga gram” program. The meeting shall consist of representatives of panchayats, government officials and ministers including Uma Bharti, Nitin Gadkari etc. The chief ministers of five states through which the river Ganga flows shall also be invited in the meeting. The states are Uttarakhand, Uttara Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

The program “Ganga gram” was mooted in the beginning of this month in order to reduce the pollution level in Ganga by analyzing the sewer systems connected with the river Ganga. As per the internal resources, the focus of the program shall be on the reduction of the pollution due to contamination of the river Ganga due to manmade wastes and the release of the same in the river. The village heads and the Panchayat representatives shall be shown different models to improve the associated problems related to pollution in Ganga.

In above lines, different steps have already been taken to reduce the pollution in Ganga, which is a sacred river originating from Gaumukh, Uttarakhand. In recent days, National Green tribunal (NGT) has already taken many stringent steps in order to reduce the pollution in river Ganga. NGT has issued notice to many hotels in Rishikesh and Haridwar in this regard. The camping on the banks of river Ganga has already been banned, which was considered to be a source of pollution in Ganga. One more significant order has also been put by NGT in this regard, which states a complete ban of the plastic polythene bags along the Ganga and its tributaries.    

For more please visit www.dreammountain.net

Snake park in Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand government is planning to set up north India’s first Snake Park in Kumaon region to help conserve rare species of the limbless reptiles and give boost to wildlife tourism in the state, chief wildlife warden, Uttrakhand said on Sunday (24^th January, 2016). The country already has four snake parks and the proposed one will showcase 35-odd varieties of snake, he said. One Bannerghatta Snake Park is located near bangaluru, Guindy Snake Park is in Chennai, Prassinikkadavu Snake Park in Kerala and Katraj Snake Park in Pune.

The proposed park might come up at Uttarakhand’s small tourist spot (in Almora), which is accessible to domestic and foreign tourists as it is only about 250 km from Dehradun and 293 km from Delhi. A draft to this effect is being prepared by the experts. This will be sent to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for its clearance. However, the forest department will approach the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for funds. Earlier in 2015, a proposal to establishing a Butterfly Parks in Kumaon (Nainital) and Garhwal (Dehradun), a Reptile Park in Dehradun and a Gharial Park in Corbett Tiger Reserve had been mooted during a meeting of the State Board for Wildlife. Officials said they too would fetch tourism revenue once they were completed.

According to the figures, the hill state is home to at least 35 species of snakes which include king cobras, vipers, common kraits and others. However, the officials said initially, about 20 snake species would be kept in natural captive areas in the proposed park. The department is readying a proposal that will include details of the covered areas, enclosures and their management and planning.

“Once the CZA gives its permission to establishing the park, we will provide funds. But, the proposal is still being prepared,” CAMPA CEO said. As per one NGO, such efforts are extremely important and the steps will boost the tourism.          

For more please visit www.dreammountain.net

Lakes in Kedar valley

Uttarakhand has many lakes like Nainital, Deoriatal lake. There are many lakes still far behind human reach and totally exotic. In the Kedar valley, there are many lakes and few lakes which are quite known to the tourists are Chorabari and Basukital.

Chorabarilake is about at a distance of 3 to 4 km from Kedarnath. The trek is quite popular amongst pilgrims and the tourists, though it needs lot of effort to complete as one has to trek to Kedarnath first. The lake is also famous as Gandhi Sarovar, because the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were submerged in this lake.  The beauty of this lake is its blue waters and floating icebergs on the surface of the lake which attracts the tourists here. The starting of this trek is   through the moraines at the back of the temple of Sri Kedarnath.

The other lake, which is Basukital lake is also one of the sought after lakes in Kedar valley. The place has a very beautiful and bright surrounding in a panoramic natural setting. On reaching at this place, the air gets chill and you are more close to the Himalayas. The water is crystal clear and you can also see ice blocks floating on the surface of the lake. This trekking route is narrow at the right bank of Mandakini up 5 km from Kedarnath.  The trek can be done only when the Kedarnath shrine is open. In winters, the lake is totally frozen due to extreme cold weather.

The Chorabari and Basukital treks should be done after professional consultancy.

The other famous lake in Kedar valley is Deoriatal. This lake is quite approachable as one has to trek only 3 km from the road head. This lake is at the top of the famous town Ukhimath. The main drinking water source of the Ukimath town is Deoriatal. This lake is accessible all-round the year. On reaching the lake, one can view the magnificent Himalayan peaks. The most important one is Chaukhamba peak, and the reflection of this peak can also be viewed on the lake’s surface. Kedar valley is truly a wonderful place to visit, where you can find numerous interesting and breathtaking places.

For more please visit www.dreammountain.net

Kedarnath and associated features.

The river Mandakini origins from Kedarnath valley. Mandakini river is the result of three streams coming down from a large glacier behind Kedarnath temple and fourth stream coming down from the mountain just on the opposite side. These four streams merge to become the Mandakini river. The Mandakini river ends at Rudraprayag where it merges with Alaknanda.

Kedar valley consists of many meadows, treks, kunds and beautiful places. All the places have different interesting stories of origin and other associated incidents. The kunds of kedar valley also carry great importance in religious context. The important ones are Udak kund, Ret kund and Hans kund.

The other important feature of Kedar valley is the existence of Bhaironathji. The temple of Bhaironathji is about half kilometer from the main temple of Kedarnath. The temple of Bhaironathji is worshipped on the opening and the closing days of Kedarnath temple. According to the religious belief, Bhaironathji protects Kedarnath temple during winter season when the seat is changed to Ukhimath.

Adiguru Sankracharya had passed away and left his mortal body at Kedarnath. The Samadhi of Adiguru is located at the back of the main temple. Adiguru is a well known figure in the Indian history. He is known for his efforts to revive Hiduism. The Indian subcontinent in the medieval period had been influenced by Buddism. The effort to spread Buddhism had started by King Ashoka and was continued by many other Kings. By 8^th century when Adiguru had born, Buhhism had become a prominent religion in India and many people had started practicing the religion. It was Adiguru Sankracharya, who stated the teachings about the greatness of Hiduism. Adiguru established four Maths and four Dhams in the four corners of India. At the age of 32 years, Adiguru passed away at Kedarnath leaving his immortal teachings and the great pilgrimages of Hindu religion.

www.dreammountain.net

Pandas of Kedarnath

The priests of Kedarnath temple are called Pandas. The Pandas had come to Kedarnath valley with Adiguru Sankracharya in 9^th century and they remained here forever. Presently, the Pandas reside in the villages near Guptakashi and Ukhimath. The Pandas practice astrology and some are well versed in Sanskrit. The Pandas had come along with Adiguru Sankracharya from south India as the part of Hinduism revival.  It is believed that the Brahmins belonged to the saiva sect and accompanied Adiguru till the end. Adiguru passed away and left his mortal body at Kedarnath and all the accompanying priests also stayed here and their legacy still can be traced in this modern age continuing their duty to serve Kedarnath. 

The temple opening of Kedarnath has a long tradition of carrying the doli (carrier) on Akshaya Tritiya from its winter seat at Ukhimath to Kedarnath. The doli reaches on the third afternoon to Kedarnath Dham. The next day, the temple is opened for the pilgrims and the local residents with all the required rituals. The Kedarnath Dham opens normally 2 – 3 days before Badrinath Dham. All the details related to the opening of the temple is decided by the priests at Ukhimath on Mahashivratri. The opening date normally falls during the last week of April or first week of May.

The closing date of the Kedarnath is always next day of Deewali. The closing ceremony of the temple is also very important but simple and brief. The Kedarnath temple is left under the protection of Baironathji during winters. All the priests, workers and pilgrims leave Kedarnath after closing the temple and move to Ukhimath. The tradition of closing and opening of Kedarnath Dham has been existing since ancient times.

The Lord Kedar can be worshipped during winters at Onkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. Many tourists visit Onkareshwar temple during winters to take the blessing of Shiv Bhagwan. There are many other tourist places near Ukhimath like Chopta, Chandrashila, Deoriatal etc.

www.dreammountain.net

Kedarnath in Puranas

The puranas tell us that in the battle of Mahabharat, the Pandavas had won the war over Kauravas. Aftermath the massacre of Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharat in Kurukshetra, the Pandavas decided to take the journey to Kashi in order to take the blessings of Lord Shiva to get absolved from the sin of killing their own kinsmen – the Kauravas. Lord Shiva was not willing to forgive them for their wrongdoings and fled to Himalayas from Kashi in order to avoid giving them his darshan. Initially, the Lord Shiva hid in Guptkashi and the name implies the same –the Kashi in hiding.

The Lord Shiva was hiding in Guptkashi but was soon identified by Pandavas and He had to leave Guptakashi for Kedaranth. The Pandavas with stern willpower chased Him and reached Kedarnath. At Kedarnath, the Lord faked Him in the form of a bull amongst other cattle. The Pandavas had guessed the Lord Shiva’s ploy and waited until dusk when all the cattle started going back to home. Bhim planned to detect the Lord by planning to testify the cattle going underneath him, he stretched his legs across mountains and let the cattle go underneath him. All the cattle went under his legs, except Shiva in the form of the bull. At the end, Shiva dived into the earth in order to escape but His back (hump) portion came in the hand of Bhim. Finally, Lord Shiva was pleased with the determination of the Pandavas and exonerated them from their sin. He also bestowed them the opportunity to worship him in the form of the hump. Since then, the hump in the form of conical stone in the temple of Kedarnath is worshipped.     

Legend has also it that after the disappearance of Lord Shiva into the earth, the front portion appeared at Pashupatinath, Nepal. The other four portions which appeared at different places are as follows:

Tungnath – Arms, Rudranath – Face, Madmaheshwar – Navel, Kalpeshwar – Hair coils.

The above four along with Kedarnath are called Panch Kedars.

www.dreammountain.net

Puja system in Kedarnath

Thousands of devotees visit Shri Kedarnath ji to worship the Lord Shiva. The temple faces east and every day the devotees throng the Sabha Mandap for their desire to take a glimpse of Lord Shiva. There are two timings for Puja, one in the morning and one in the evening. In the morning, the Shiva pinda is worshipped without any extra decoration, ornamentation or floral etc. The main offerings are Ghee and water. This morning puja (worship) is called Nirwan darshan. In the evening the Shiva pinda is adorned with flowers and ornaments, which is called Sringar darshan. The pinda has a golden umbrella on top which is suspended from the above.     

Some people think that the Sringar darshan is quite contrary to the image of Lord Shiva, who is believed to be in deerskin and the body is besmeared with ashes. But, the Lord has no shape, form or colour and these worships are symbolic and contain the messages to the divine Lord. The Sringar darshan symbolizes a complete surrender. The Nirwan and the Sringar darshans are the earthly ways to show your dedication and the devotion to the Lord Shiva.

The puja in Kedarnath has its origin with the Mahabharata. After the battle, all five Pandavas came to Kedar valley in the search of Lord Shiva to repent and be absolved from the sin of killing their own kinsmen – the Kauravas. Shiva disguised as a cattle was identified by Bhim. Shiva was pleased and exonerated them from their sin. The hump which came in Bhim’s hand was worshipped by Pandavas and the same has become the symbol as stone in Garbh griha.

The important pujas which are normally performed in the morning are as follows : Shubh Prabhat, Mahabhisek, Balbhog, Ashtotar, Rudrabhisek, Shiv Puja etc.

The important evening pujas are as follows:

Shiva Ashtotar, Shiva Namavali, Shiva Sahasranam, Ekanta Seva, Shiva Mahima Stotra etc.

www.dreammountain.net

Shri Kedarnath ji

Kedarnath temple is located in the district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand state of India. Kedarnath temple is the seat of Lord Shiva and known as one of the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand, others being Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath. The temple is located at an altitude of 3583 mtr. above sea level, surrounded by tall snow capped mountains. The devotees come here in a land totally different from outside world. It is said that after coming here the unholy becomes holy and the holy becomes holier.  

The temple is a magnificent example of architecture and wonder of its time of construction. It is assumed that the temple was constructed one thousand years back when the architecture was at its peak. It can only be imagined that how difficult it must have been to built this temple at that time. There is no proper historical record of its origin and construction. The temple is built of large grey stones. There are two sections : Mandapam and Garbh griha.

The Garbh griha is in the centre of the temple consisting of a conical shaped rock, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. The Garbh griha is encircled by a narrow pradakshina path.

Mandapam is right in front of the Shiva where Nandi, the divine bull, is located. There are many other idols and the subordinate temples on the outer part of the temple. This temple is considered as one of the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva.

Some of the stones of the temples bear inscriptions in either Pali or Brahmi script. According to some vague references King bhoj constructed the temple. But a serious effort has not been put to decipher the script and the real historical data can only be revealed after proper investigation.    

The Kedarnath temple is associated with Kedar valley. Kedar valley is famous for Panch Kedar. The other four kedar temples are Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar.

The temples are open from May to November and closed during winters.

The distance of Kedarnath from Rishikesh : 204 km motor and 22 km trek.  

The distance of Delhi to Rishieksh: 225 km.   

One can also use the helicopter services from different places (near Guptakashi).

www.dreammountain.net