Gauri Kund — the road-end and hot springs below Kedarnath
What it is
Gauri Kund, also written Gaurikund, is the last motorable point on the road to Kedarnath and the base camp for the walk up to the Kedarnath Temple, at about 6,500 feet in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is also a pilgrimage site in its own right, named for Gauri, another name of Parvati. There are hot springs here, made into bathing places.
Photos: Prateek as a traveller (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Getting there
By road from Rishikesh it is about 203 km and 357 minutes on our routing; Haridwar is about 224 km and Dehradun's bus stand about 245 km. Rudraprayag, the district headquarters, is about 70 km and 124 minutes away.
The legends
Tradition says Gauri did her penance here, with many ascetic and yogic practices, to win Shiva's affection, and that this was where Shiva finally admitted his love. They are said to have been married at Triyuginarayan, nearby. Another story is told of the kund. While bathing, Parvati shaped a boy, Ganesha, out of the lather on her skin and set him at the entrance as her guard. Shiva, stopped by the boy, cut off his head, and an elephant's head was put in its place.
The start of the walk
The path to Kedarnath leaves from here and climbs about 17 km, 6 to 8 hours by Wikipedia's account. Ponies and palanquins start from the same place. The two-day walk takes a night at the top.
When to go
April to November, while the temple is open. See when to visit Kedarnath.
Around it
Triyuginarayan is the village temple about 5 km away by Wikipedia's figure, and Guptakashi the town down the valley. The one-day plan on the road side takes in both.
Plans that include this
All 2 plans that stop here →
Nearby places
All of Kedarnath →
Nearby destinations
All destinations →
Questions people ask
What is Gauri Kund?
A pilgrimage site and the base camp for the trek to the Kedarnath Temple, at about 6,500 feet in the Garhwal Himalaya. It has hot springs that have been made into bathing places. Local tradition says Parvati did her penance here to win Shiva, and links the spot with how Ganesha got his elephant head.
How far is Gauri Kund from Rishikesh?
About 203 km and 357 minutes by road on our routing, from Rishikesh to the road-end; Wikipedia gives Kedarnath itself as 223 km from Rishikesh, which is the road plus the walk. Haridwar is about 224 km away and Dehradun's bus stand about 245 km.
Do I need to start at Gauri Kund?
Yes for the walk: the road ends here and the 17 km uphill path to the temple begins. Wikipedia gives the walk as 6 to 8 hours. Register for the yatra first, leave early, and check the day's advice. Many pilgrims spend the night before at Gaurikund or Sonprayag to start at first light.