How to Reach Kedarnath by Train from Mumbai?

Among them is the Kedarnath (in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand) which is one of the best pilgrimage sites in India and forms part of the Char Dham Yatra of many Indians annually. Although the direct train route covering Mumbai to Kedarnath is not present, each year thousands of thousands of people will travel by train all over India to Kedarnath. With the right planning and scheduling, you can make this journey entirely feasible, as the train ride can be made into an even longer journey (although, the long journey may take some extra days).

Since there are multiple connections in this long train journey, proper planning is very important, and will allow pilgrims to travel smoothly to their destination. Pilgrims generally purchase train tickets then check their PNR status when travelling via train so that they know what train and berth they are going to be using. This is to achieve the effect of making sure that they can embark on a long meaningful pilgrimage and they are not left in doubt regarding their initial travel arrangements.

Is There a Direct Train from Mumbai to Kedarnath?

No rail connection of Kedarnath temple. This is due to the fact that it is situated in high altitude and individuals must take train and proceed to drive most of the distance to Gaurikund and then walk or hire helicopter in making a complete circle to the temple.

The knowledge of this information in advance can help pilgrims organize their trip in a more advantageous manner and not expect the impossible and rush.

Nearest Railway Stations for Kedarnath Yatra

Pilgrims traveling to Kedarnath from Mumbai must get off at one of the following railway stations, before continuing their journey:

• Haridwar Railway Station: The most popular is this because it is the one that has the best train service in Mumbai and many means of transport further on to Kedarnath.
• Rishikesh Railway Station: This is nearer to Kedarnath than to Haridwar, and there are not so many long distance trains and it is normally reached into Haridwar.
• Dehradun Railway Station: This station is preferable to the passengers who are older, and they will give them less confusion and easy transportation to their ultimate destination.

Selection of the station is based on the time when the trains arrive, time when the train arrives and individual preference.

Mumbai to Kedarnath by Train: Route Explained Clearly

It is necessary to know the journey step by step in order to plan how to visit Kedarnath by train, this would assist in knowing how to get to the destination.

Train journey: It usually takes 24-30 hours to reach Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun in case of traveling between Mumbai and these destinations.

Road transport: Once you have travelled by train, you can take a taxi or a bus until Gaurikund through Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Sonprayag.

Final ascent: You will have to walk between Gaurikund to Kedarnath and you might have to ride a pony or palki but this will depend on the weather conditions, health and individual choice. There are also helicopters which are available based on the aforementioned.

The phased approach to travelling allows for a steady pace when managing the effects of fatigue.

Choosing the Right Train from Mumbai

A number of trains run between Mumbai and Uttarakhand, which means Kedarnath yatra will be easy to do via train support for the whole year long. Because train rides can be long, there are many overnight trains that can be taken so that passengers have the chance to rest and recharge before continuing on. The air-conditioned classes of travel are typically chosen for their higher degree of comfort, especially for passengers who will be travelling via road after arriving.

Every train is in demand during Char Dham season, and hence, booking early is advisable to ensure that one has the best plans of his or her trip.

Road Journey to Gaurikund: What to Expect

The route between Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun to Gaurikund is an amazing and yet a very challenging one. Rough terrain, hilly roads, the unfavorable climate and narrow roads are a great constraint to the development. To overcome fatigue that will come as a result of this tedious trip most of the pilgrims will decide to spend a night at some of the destinations such as Guptkashi or Sonprayag.

The advantage of the extra time of traveling to your schedule is that you have a buffer time in your schedule in case of the traffic slow down as well as any other weather conditions.

Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath

Kedarnath trek between Gaurikund and Kedarnath is regarded as the most challenging part of the Kedarnath accessibility. The pilgrimage shall be under continuous surveillance through medical assistance and rest stations that will be provided along the route and thus make the entire pilgrimage who walk to Kedarnath safe and healthy.

Although the pilgrims walk to Kedarnath to have the experience, some will make use of ponies, palkis (people who carry the whole load), and helicopter services where possible. This is because to reach Kedarnath one should have a steady pace, they need to make sure that they are hydrated and allow him/herself time to become accustomed to it.

Best Time to Travel from Mumbai to Kedarnath

The temple of Kedarnath usually opens during the months of April and May and even closes at some point during months of October or November with the weather conditions. The most appropriate months to visit are May and June and also the most busiest. The most probable months of good views and high number of crowds are September and first month of October.

The intolerable rains in July/August monsoons will tend to discourage pilgrims at Kedarnath.

Important Tips for a Smooth Kedarnath Yatra

Some of the practical precautions to make the journey more comfortable are the following:

• Book tickets and continue checking on the confirmation.
• Always bring the warm clothes, even in summer.
• Registering full compulsory yatra before travelling.
• Pack light so as to be comfortable with the trek.

These minor measures will make a pilgrimage a stress-free one.

Planning the Return Journey

One has to go back to the same route that he or she took to Kedarnath to get back to Mumbai. Since weather has a bearing on the road and walking time of travel, it is always better to be flexible with your train reservation (i.e. an open ended ticket is an open ticket). You can also include an additional buffer day to leave Kedarnath region to ensure that you are not stressed in case of any delays in your way back home.

Conclusion

Traveling to Kedarnath by train is a patient, planned and physically fit journey between Mumbai and Kedarnath. Though it is long trip and may take many steps of travelling, pilgrims can do this pilgrimage as there is a clear combination of train, road, and trekking tracks. The visit to Kedarnath will be a great event and yield many fruits through proper planning, set expectations, and proper attitude to undertake the quest to a holy place. Pilgrimage to Kedarnath is concerning the training, faith and self-discipline which will carry you over your way.