Kedarnath: a Himalayan valley that changes colour every hour

If you want to feel all different kinds of weather in a single day, come to Kedarnath. This valley will amaze you not only by its mesmerizing views but also by the frequent changes in temperature, moisture and wind. In a single day, you can witness intense sun rays, stormy winds, rains and snowfall.

This was my second trip to Kedarnath. Last year I traveled to Kedarnath in April which was the beginning of summer season. I found many glaciers on the trek route. Snow clearance work was going on that time. Kedarnath temple was almost covered in snow.

This time I traveled to Kedarnath in November which is the beginning of harsh winter season. I didn't find any glaciers on route but I did found plenty amount of snowfall in the valley. Though the temple premise was yet to cover in snow.

This time I started early in the morning from Almora and reached Sonprayag before it was dark. I stayed in Sonprayag for that night. Next day very early around 5 am I started trekking to the Kedarnath which is around 18 kms from Gaurikund. The route follows the path of Mandakini river which originates from Kedarnath temple. On trekking route, I found many waterfalls, water crossing, bridges over Mandakini river.

Finally around 12 pm I got the first glimpse of the Kedarnath Valley. It was so beautiful that I forgot all the tiredness of 7 hours trekking.

Kedarnath is a small town which witnesses people only during summer months when the temple is open for pilgrims. For the rest of the 6 months, temple is closed and people living in Kedarnath migrate to some lower altitude areas in Gaurikund and Sonprayag.

When I reached the valley around 12 pm, it was bright sunny weather. In the next half an hour, weather took another turn and there were clouds everywhere. For next 2 hours it rained and then suddenly I found snow flakes falling from the sky. Till 3 pm, it was snow everywhere. Surrounding mountains were covered in snow. Temple premise has a thin layer of snow everywhere.

Before sunset, I trekked to a nearby hilltop which had a different bird eye view of the whole kedarnath town. I had my mouth organ with me. I started playing it in that soundlessness. That feeling of fresh snowy wind can solace anyone. One would forget all the stress of this wordly life. The beauty of a barren land can also be enchanting. No one would have ever imagined!