GAURIKUND

Location: 5 Kms From Soneprayag (Uttar Pradesh)
Attraction: Temple Of Goddess Gauri
Special Feature: Hot And Cold Water Tanks
Best Season: March To November
Gaurikund is located at a distance of 5 kms from Soneprayag and 209 kms from Rishikesh. There is an ancient temple, dedicated to the Goddess Gauri or Parvati, which houses metallic idols of Gauri and Shiva.
According to legend, Parvati meditated here for a long time, to win Shiva as her consort. Ultimately, she succeeded, and the cosmic couple was wed at Triyuginarayan.
Near the temple there are two tanks of water, one has cold water, while the other is a hot water tank. The hot water comes out of a sulphur rock and some of it falls into the River Mandakini, flowing nearby.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: Jolly grant (Dehradun) – 239 km away from Kedarnath of which 225 km is by road and rest 14 km is on foot.

Rail: Railhead at Rishikesh, is 209 km away.

Road: Kedarnath is approachable on foot from Gaurikund, which is connected by road with Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills. Bus services are available at Rishikesh, Haridwar and Kotdwara for Gaurikund. During yatra season, some special Yatra services are also arranged to Gaurikund.

Local Transport: Private taxies and other light vehicles also ply between Rishikesh and Gaurikund-Badrinath and back. Horses, Dandies and Ponies are available at Gaurikund for going and carrying luggage to Kedarnath.

PLACES TO STAY

Accommodation can be found in the nearby Kedarnath, where Dhramashala accommodation is the most reasonable ones. During the Yatra season the tourism board makes special provisions for the stay of the pilgrims.

NEARBY CITIES

Soneprayag:5-km
Kedarnath:14-km
Rishikesh:209-km