Panch Kedar Yatra: Himalayan Pilgrimage

Himalayan pilgrimage to the 5 Kedars or Sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva

View from Chandra Shila - 2 km from Tungnath

View from Panar, en route to Rudranath, near sunset

After the great war featured in Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna instructed the Pandavas to go to Himalayas & obtain darshan [blessings] of Mahadeva [Lord Shiva]. This was necessary to purify them of karmas or sins incurred during the war, and in order for them to attain liberation or moksha.

2 km from Rudranath

It is told that as they approached Gupta Kashi, Lord Shiva assumed the form of a bull and disappeared into the earth. He re appeared in 5 different places so that the Pandavas had to walk more than 300 kms & visit all 5 manifestations to complete their pilgrimage.

Trail from Kalpeshwar to Dumock

Near Bantoli after completing Madmaheshwar

This ancient pilgrimage became known as Panch Kedar Yatra [panch = 5/yatra = pilgrimage]. For thousands of years, saints, sadhus & yogis have walked this route to propitiate grace of Mahadeva

Adhi Shankara's maha samadhi (tomb) @ Kedarnath

Kalimath - Sidha peeth - ancient tantric temple

Lord Shiva is the God of meditation - eternal witness to the whole creation, our own least excited state of awareness. The unmanifest source of the universe - the home of all the laws of nature; he is mahadeva - the great God.

View from Rudranath

When our awareness identifies with that supremely auspicious level of life (Shiva), we experience profound peace of mind: peace which surpasses the understanding.This is the grace of Mahadeva (lord shiva) & this is the fruit of the pilgrimage.

Swami Girijananda & disciples @ his ashram outside Guptakashi. He is reputed to be around 200 years of age. Some are fortunate to master one vedic discipline in their life time. Due to his longevity, swamiji has had the opportunity to gain mastery in the fields of Ayur Ved, Jyotish (vedic astrology) & Tantra. During a meeting on the 2007 yatra, Girijananda remarked that he had been present when Swami Brahmananda Saraswathi (see below) was installed as Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math.



Picture of Lord Shiva from wall of Swami Brahmananda's Kutir in Jyotir Math (Jyoshi Math)	Swami Brahmananda Saraswathi, past Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math & beloved Guru of His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi	Kalpa Vriksha (Jyotir Math) - wish fulfilling tree of this age. The first Shankaracharya (Adhi Shankara) attained enlightenment under this tree at the age of 16

On a more expressed level, Rudra - the lively aspect of Shiva is the antidote to afflictions of Shani: the planet Saturn. Regarded as the most malefic of the 9 Grahas, Shani/Saturn more than any other planet is the bringer of karmic retribution, the fruits of our past mistakes - grief.
Taking refuge in Lord Shiva is one of the most effective remedies for the difficulties caused by Shani/Saturn. Panch kedar yatra, as a method for winning the grace of Mahadeva, is unsurpassed.

Way to Madmaheshwar along Kali Ganga River, seen from Lehk

In May 2009, Ganesh with Pundits Satapathi & Upadyai & local guides & porters will take a small group on this ancient pilgrimage. Staying in remote villages [some more than 2 day's walk from the nearest motor road] they will walk some of the most beautiful scenery on earth for 28 days (Porters will carry heavy luggage). Itinerary as follows:

Day 01: Delhi - Haridwar (train). Holy City on Ganges. Visit Mansa Devi Laksmi Peeth. - Puja
Day 02: Haridwar - Jyotir Math (charter bus)
Day 03: Shankaracharya Darshan. Jyotir Math - Helang (charter bus) Helang - Devgram (8 km walk)
Day 04: Devgram - Kalpeshwar Kedara. Puja. Devgram - Dumock (15 km walk)
Day 05: Dumock - Panar (14 km walk & climb)
Day 06: Panar - Rudranath Kedara (8 km walk)
Day 07: Rest day - Yagya & Meditation
Day 08: Rudranath - Mata Anasuya Devi (16 km downhill)
Day 09: Anasuya - Mandal (4 km walk) Mandal - Kalimath (charter bus) Tantric Monastery, Sidha Peeth
Day 10: Rest day - Yagya & visit Swami Girijananda.
Day 11: Charter bus to Gaurikund - Rhumbara (7 km walk)
Day 12: Rhumbara- Kedarnath Kedara & Jyotir Lingam (7 km walk) yagya, visit Adhi Shankara maha samadhi
Day 13: Kedarnath - Gaurikund (14 km downhill walk) Gaurikund - Kalimath
Day 14: Rest day - yagya & meditation Kalimath Tantric Monastery, Sidha Peeth.
Day 15: Kalimath - Lehk ( 7 km walk)
Day 16: Lehk - Gaundar/Bantoli ( 15 km walk)
Day 17: Bantoli - Nanu (5 km climb)
Day 18: Nanu - Madmaheshwar Kedara (5 km climb)
Day 19: Rest day - Meditation & Yagya
Day 20: Madmaheshwar - Gaundar (10 km downhill walk)
Day 21: Gaundar - Lehk (15 km walk)
Day 22: Lehk - Kali Shila (5 km climb) Kali Shila - Kalimath (7 km downhill walk)
Day 23: Kalimath - Chopta (Charter Bus) Chopta - Tungnath Kedara (4 km walk) Puja
Day 24: Tungnath - Chandra Shila (2 km climb) Chandra Shila - Chopta (6 km downhill walk)
Day 25: Chopta - Rudraprayag (charter bus)
Day 26: Rudraprayag - Haridwar (Charter Bus)
Day 27: Haridwar - New Delhi (Train)

Available places on each pilgrimage strictly limited to 7. Cost of each pilgrimage = $AUD 3308. Includes trek, accommodation, food, guide, porters & donkeys, charter bus in Himalayas. Does not include air fare or accommodation outside of Himalayas. $1008 deposit required to secure your place.

MAP
Past Pilgrimages