6th June 2013 Gaurikund to Kedarnath

Having got up at 6am, we were ready to start our climb to Kedarnath. We kept all the extra luggage in the Cloak Room at Baba Kalikamaliwala Ashram had our light breakfast and were ready with the essentials that needed to be carried most notably the warm clothing for the extreme cold at Kedarnath. So refreshed and reenergized we started our climb at 7.30am. This time we had kept our speed to very low and reached Rambada which is 7kms from Gaurikund by around 11am. There are so many Mules that walking is difficult, but looking at the condition of the people on Mules we felt walking was better. A kid had fallen down from a mule at Rambada and had severe wounds on his head. After a light food we departed from Rambada and just 15 mins after we saw a man falling from the Mule and getting unconscious. This is perhaps of the steep incline and stony pavement which get wet because of the drizzle and the mules are not able to get a grip. This was a frequent observation throughout our chardham tour except for Badrinath where road is up to the temple town. We continued or journey and it started pouring midway. So we had to take recluse in the makeshift shops for some time. In spite of the raincoats the water had trickled down our body and it was freezing cold. Our shoes were wet too. But as soon as the rain stopped we started walking again and we were warm again. Walking really keeps us warm even in the coldest climate. Finally we reached Kedarnath at 5.30pm. we were cold and very hungry. We checked in Baba Kalikamaliwala Ashram. The rooms were cozy and warm. After dumping our bags we changed into dry warm clothings. We removed our wet shoes and wore chappals. We requested the manager there that we would like to have food now. He was courteous and in half an hour the food was ready. It was so cold that by the time the food came from the pan to the plate it was cold. We had our full and immediately went to see the Kedarnath Temple. There was a lot of rush and the line was really long. So we went to the Temple of Shankaracharya which is just behind the Kedar Temple. Surprisingly there were few people there. It was quite and serene and we loved the place. We sat there for half an hour and then came back to our room with the plan that we would take darshan at night. We roamed the small market at Kedarnath and then went to the room. After relaxing for some time we came for the Darshan at 7pm. Still there was rush but we stood in the queue. In an hour’s time we had darshan and thereafter we were in our room as it was getting really cold.