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Rudranath Yatra: If you really want to go on a journey of reverence, courage and peace, then this difficult climb of Rudranath is waiting for you. Here every stone, every air and every climb says Jai Bholenath. This difficult path is not less than any exam. Come, know interesting things related to it.
The Rudranath temple included in the Panch Kedar is not a common pilgrimage. This is such a dham where devotees have to take their full examination of their reverence, resolve and stamina to reach. About 25-30 km long walk track and bumpy hill route, it is not easy to reach here, but it is said that Bholenath gives darshan only by taking the test of his true devotees and the name of this exam is Rudranath Yatra.
This temple is dedicated to the Rudra form of Lord Shiva. It is believed that after the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas came to the Himalayas to apologize to Lord Shiva, God appeared in different forms. His face is worshiped in Rudranath. The rest of the organs are worshiped in other temples of Panch Kedar. Kedarnath (Peeth), Tungnath (Bahu), Kalpeshwar (Jata) and Madhyamheshwar (navel).
The track of Rudranath is considered to be the most difficult among the Panch Kedars. This track is about 25-30 km long and has to pass through steep climb, forests, bugs and stone paths. The infinite climbing and changing weather on the way make this journey more challenging. Here in really every step is tested for the faith and power of the devotee. It takes 4-6 days to complete it.
The special thing about Rudranath track is that the more difficult the path is, the more beautiful. During the track, delightful sites like Bagji Bugyal, Panch Ganga come. In Bagji Bugyal, the greenery talks to the sky and fascinates the smell of wild flowers, one of the most beautiful places here. This entire path takes the devotees closer to both nature and devotion.
To reach Rudranath from Dehradun, you must first go by road to Gopeshwar or Mandal village. The distance from Dehradun to Gopeshwar is about 250 kilometers, which takes 9-10 hours. Ahead of Gopeshwar, you start Mandal (13 km) and then the track starts from there. Some people also start track from Sagar village. Walking starts from here, which is completed in 3 to 4 days.
Rudranath is not only the abode of Bholenath, but also the place of liberation of fathers. There is a tradition of performing pindadan and shraddha here. It is believed that by doing pindadan here, the ancestors attain salvation. This is the reason that many devotees come here especially to do Pitru Tarpan. This place is filled with spiritual energy.
Located at an altitude of about 3,600 meters above sea level, this temple is open from May-June to October. In winter, a sheet of ice is laid here and then the throne of God is installed in the Gopeshwar Winter Temple. Devotees should take special care of this season, because the track can be extremely dangerous at the time of rain and snowfall.
The biggest practice is to reach the destination in Rudranath’s journey. This track examines not only the body, but also the mind and soul. Those who walk on this difficult path with true sense, they definitely get the privilege of seeing Bholenath. Every devotee comes here and says, the path of naive is not easy, but his glimpse is priceless.
