Char Dham - Panchprayag - Panchkedar Yatra

Char Dham Yatra

BADARINATH: Abode of Lord Vishnu: Badarinath Dham is considered as one of the most sacred centers of pilgrimage situated in the lofty Himalayan heights in the Garhwal hill tracks (Uttarakhand) at the height of 10,248 feet above sea level. The route to Badarinath is one of the most fascinating one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.

Throughout the route to Badarinath there are numerous pilgrimage sites at Deo Prayag, Rudraprayag, Karana Prayag, Nanda Prayag, and Vishnuprayag; as well as Pandukeswar where king Pandu observed Tapasya with his queen Madri and where his sons Pandavas stayed during their pilgrimage to heaven, and the site where Bhima and Hanuman (sons of Vayu) met.

At Badarinath Lord MahaVishnu is believed to have done his penance. Seeing the Lord doing his penance in the open, Goddess Mahalaxmi is believed to have assumed the form of Badari tree to provide him shelter to face the onslaught of the adverse weather conditions, therefore the name Badari Narayan. It is believed that Lord Vishnu revealed to Narad rishi that Nar & Naryans forms were his own. It is also believed that Narad rishi, who also did his penance here, is even now worshipping the supreme God in the form of Nar and Narayan with Ashtakshara mantras.

The image of Badarinarayan here is fashioned out of Saligramam. Badarinarayan is seen under the Badari tree, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. Mahalakshmi has a sanctum outside in the parikrma. There is also a shrine to Adi Sankara at Badarinath. For more information on Badarinath, please click here.

KEDARNATH: The Celestial Jyotirlingam: Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Jyotirlingam or the cosmic light. Kedarnath is highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. This ancient and magnificent temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range. This temple, over a thousand years old is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large gray steps leading to the holy sanctums we find inscriptions in Pali on the steps. The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic - Mahabharata. According to legends, the Pandavas sought the blessings of lord Shiva to atone their sin after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dived into ground leaving behind his hump on the surface. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has been continually renovated over the centuries. It is situated at an altitude of 3,581 mt. It is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund.

At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage. The shrine closes on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopens in Vaishakh (Apr-May) every year. During its closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath. For more information on Kedarnath, please click here.

GANGOTRI: The Eternal Gift of Baghirath's Penance: The shrine of Gangotri situated at an altitude of 3042 m above sea level amidst captivating surroundings, along the right bank of Bhagirathi is 100 km from Uttarkashi. The temple was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa. The existing temple is said to be the one reconstructed by the Jaipur dynasty. Every year hundred thousands of pilgrims throng the sacred shrine between May & October.

Like Yamunotri the shrine of Gangotri opens every year on the auspicious day of Akshaya-Tritiya & closes on the day of Diwali.

Location: Right Bank of River Bhagirathi
Altitude: 3042 M
Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga
Built in: 18th Century

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 226 kms.
Rail: Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 249 kms.
Road: Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi.

YAMUNOTRI: The Sacred Jewel of the Himalayas: The Shrine of Yamunotri at the source of river Yamuna is the western - most shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas. Atop is a flank of Bandar Poonch peak (3615 m). The actual source, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind Mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level is about 1 km further up is not easily accessible. Hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The Temple of divine mother Yamuna was built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The tiny Yamuna has icy cold water and its absolute innocence & the infantile purity heightens that deep feeling of reverence, which Yamunotri has for the devout. According to the legend ancient sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. The trek to Yamunotri is truly spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.

The Yamunotri Temple opens every year on the auspicious day of the Akshaya - Tritiya ( in April - May ) & closes on the sacred day of Diwali ( Oct. - Nov. ).

Location: Left Bank of River Yamuna
Altitude: 3235 M
Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 196 kms.
Rail: Nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, 213 kms.and Dehradun 172 kms.
Road: Dharasu, 107 kms. Tehri, 107 kms. Rishikesh, 213 kms. and Dehradun, 172 kms.


PANCH KEDAR

Lord Shiva eluded the Pandavas repeatedly and on being detected by them assumed the form of a bull. The second Pandavas Bhima tried to pick him up, but Shiva sank into the earth and only the hump came in Bhimas's hand. Seeing their determination the lord was so pleased that he freed the Pandavas from their sin and asked them to worship his hump at Kedarnath which is the heights among the twelve Jyotirlingas. The other parts of Shiva's body, arms, face, nevel and hair locks appeared at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheswar and Kalpeshwar. These four shrines along with Shri Kedarnathji are worshipped as "Panch Kedar". The Panch Kedar are the holy destination for all the Hindus. Five Kedars are:

KEDARNATH: Kedar is also another name for lord Shiva - the protector and the destroyer. There are 200 ancient shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district itself, the most important is Kedarnath. Shrine of Kedarnath lying at the altitude of 3584 Mts. on the head of river Mandakini is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus.

The origin of revered temple can be found in great epic Mahabharat. After the wars, the Pandavas lost their peace of mind after committing the great sin of slaying their Guru and brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. Lord Shiva avoided them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of bull. On being followed, He dived into the ground, leaving behind His hump on the surface. The hump is worshipped in the temple of Kedarnath in the conical Shiva pinda form. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva are worshipped at other places.

TUNGNATH: the arm of Lord Shiva came out at this place as per Kedarnath myth. The Tungnath temple is situated at an altitude of about 3680 m above sea level, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the highest Shiva Shrine among the Panch Kedar, 3 km uphill from Chopata. The sancity of the region of Tungnath is considered unsurpassed.

The peak of Tungnath is the source of three springs that form the river Akashkamini. Tungnath is reached through a path that wends through alpine meadows & rhododendron thickets. An hour's climb from here leads to Chandrashila with its panoramic views.

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun 232 kms.
Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh, is 215 kms.
Road: Tungath can be reached on the Kund-Gopeshwar road up to Chopta, 212 kms. from Rishikesh via Chamoli-Gopeshwar-Chopta route. Buses and taxis ply along the route. From Chopta, the Tungnath temple is 3 kms. trekaway.

RUDRANATH: The shrine is 23 km from Gopeshwar at 2286 m. The Mukhor face of Lord Shiva os worshipped as Neelkanth Mahadev here. The temple site provides splendid views of Hathi Parvat, Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Trishuli and other peaks. Suryakund, Chandrakund, Tarakund, etc. are the holy kunds situated nearby. The scenic beauty and the spiritual piousness of the place make it scenically beautiful as well as enchanting.

Anusuya Devi temple is located on the trek to Rudranath involving an additional trek of 3 km. Another route 13 km from Gopeshwar to Mandal then trek 6 km to reach Anusuya Devi. Devi Anusuya is revered as the Goddedd who blesses her devotees in their difficulties.

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 258 km.
Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh is 241 km.
Road: Rudranath is located on Gopeshwar-Kedarnath Road. From Rishikesh, the entry point, Sagar is 219 km. A 22 km trek from Sagar will end at Rudranath. Accommodation available at Dharamshala.

MADMAHESWAR: It is said that the navel of Lord Shiva reappeared at this shrine after disappearing at Kedarnath. Shiva is worshipped Madmaheshwar in the form of a navel shaped lingam. This Shrine is 31 km from Guptkashi at an altitude of 3289 m. The temple can be approached by a trek through the famous Sidha Peeth of Kalimath. Wild, unparalleled scenic beauty and incredible landscapes distinguish the distance from Kalimath to Madmaheshwar. Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks are visible from here. Gaundar, at the conflux of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the last place that is worth a visit before one reaches this shrine.

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 244 kms.
Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh, is 227 kms.
Road: To reach Madmaheshwar, the distance of 196 kms. from Rishikesh to Kalimath is motorable. The balance 31 kms. has to be covered on foot.

KALPESWAR: the hair locks (Jata) of Lord Shiva are worshipped in this small rock temple at the height of 2134 m before the matted, tresses of Shiva enshrined in rock in the sanctum and sanctorum. The sanctum is preceded by a natural cave passage. This temple is located in Urgam valley. This shrine is a delight for the tourists with striking views of valley with terraced fields and lush green forests. The temple is reached after a trek of 12 km from Helang which is the motor head on Rishikesh - Badarinath route.

GETTING THERE
Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun 272 kms
Rail: The nearest railhead, Rishikesh is 255 kms
Road: Kalpeshwar can be reashed up to Helang, 243 kms. on the Rishikesh - Badrinath road by bus and taxis. From Helang, the 12 kms. trek is off the main road.


PANCH PRAYAG

The Prayag means the confluence of two (or more) rivers. And in India there are only six most sacred Prayags. The last Prayag, the great confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna & the mythical Saraswati is at Allahabad. Other the most revered confluences are the Panch (five) prayags of the Garhwal region. In Hindu mythology, rivers are personified as goddesses and even today, Hindus hold them in high veneration. The water of a holy river is supposed to wash away the sins. The confluence of two or more rivers makes them much more sacred. Five Prayags are:

DEO PRAYAG: Deoprayag is situated on the confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. It is commonly believed to be the birthplace of earthly Ganga. It comprises the oldest route to Badrinath and Gangotri. The famous Raghunath Math (another name for Lord Rama's Temple) is situated here. Important pilgrim spots are Shiva Temple and Raghunath Temple. These temples are roughly 70 Kms from Rishikesh on Rishikesh-Badrinath motor road.

RUDRA PRAYAG: Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 140 km from Rishikesh and 70 km from Deoprayag on Rishikesh Badari-Kedar motor road. It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, the sage Narad worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra incarnation to bless the sage. It was here, also, that Shiva's wife Sati, was reborn after her self immolation because her father humiliated her husband. In her new life, as the daughter of Himalaya, she did penance here to ask the boon of Shiva as a husband once again. The ancient temple of Rudranathji is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Rudraprayag is the point where the two roads branch off to the holy Shrines of Kedarnath (84 km) & Badarinath (159 km).

KARAN PRAYAG: Situated at 12 km from Gauchar and 31 km from Rudraprayag, the icy flow from the Pindari Glacier becomes the Pindari river, and when it meets the Alaknanda at 788 m, the confluence is known as Karnaprayag. The wooded thickets of the hills surrounding Karnaprayag were the meeting ground for Shakuntala & Raja Dushyanta, immortalised in Kalidasa's immortal classic and a favourite ballad ever since. The place derives its name from Karna, the son of the Queen Kunti and Lord Surya (sun). Besides the temple dedicated to Karna, the temple dedicated to Goddess Umadevi at Dimmer village, Narayan & Gopal also stand at the confluence.

NAND PRAYAG: 20 km from Karna Prayag, Nand Prayag at 914 m forms the confluence of the Alaknanda & Mandakini (flowing from a glacier near Nanda Devi Peak) rivers. It is said that confluence is named for the pious Raja Nanda. According to one legend, the king had been promised the boon of Vishnu as a son. Unfortunately, the same boon had been granted to Devki, the sister of the tyrant king, Kansa who imprisoned her. Ultimately, the gods found an ingenuons solution: Vishnu would be born as Krishna to Devki but would be brought up by Raja Nanda's wife, Yashodha.

VISHNU PRAYAG: Formed by the confluence of the impetuous Vishnu Ganga (known after this point, as the Alaknanda) and the Dhauliganga river, Vishnu Prayag, 1372 m, has an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu. This temple stands here next to a pool called Vishnu Kund. It is at a distance of 13 km from Joshimath on Badarinath route. It is said that the sage Narad worshipped Vishnu at this sanctified spot. The Kagbhusandi Lake bewitching with its emerald green depths giving it a still surface, while on the banks, blossoms evoke the colours of nature in all her glory. The lake can also be approached from Vishnuprayag besides from Bhundhar village near Ghangaria.

Shri Kedarnath Dham

Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Jyotirlingam or the cosmic light. Kedarnath is highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. This ancient and magnificient temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range. This temple, over a thousand years old is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large gray steps leading to the holy sanctums we find inscriptions in Pali on the steps. The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic - Mahabharata. According to legends, the Pandavas sought the blessings of lord Shiva to atone their sin after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dived into ground leaving behind his hump on the surface. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has been continually renovated over the centuries. It is situated at an altitude of 3,581 mt. It is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund.

At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Kedarnath to Ukhimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage. The shrine closes on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopens in Vaishakh (Apr-May) every year. During its closure the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.

Location: Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the devout Hindu. It is set amidst the stunning mountainscape of the Garhwal Himalayas at the head of the Mandakini River. Kedar is another name of lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. Shiva is considered the embodiment of all passions - love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his various forms.

The shrine of Kedarnath is very scenically placed, and is surrounded by lofty, snow - covered mountains, and during summer grassy meadows covering the valleys. Immediately behind the temple, is the high Keadardome peak, which can be sighted from great distances. The sight of the temple and the peak with its perpetual snows is simply enthralling.

The Mythological Past: There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district itself, the most important one is Kedarnath. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own Kith and Kin and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.

On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations.

The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

An imposing sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The present temple, built in 8th century A.D. by Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the exquisitely architectured Kedarnath temple is considered to be more than 1000 years old. Built of extremely large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones, it evokes wonder as to how these heavy slabs had been handled in the earlier days. The temple has a Garbha Griha for worship and a Mandap, apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.

Best Time to visit:- The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.

SIGNIFICANCE

The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike its usual form, is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotirlings.
The pandavas after having won over the kauravas in the epic war of Kurukshetra, felt guilty of having killed their own kith and kin. They sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption but Shiva eluded them repeatedly. He took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four places and are worshiped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tunganath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath including these four shrines is treated as Panch Kedar.

Pilgrims traditionally first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and bring with them the holy waters from the sources of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga and offer abhishekams to Kedareshwara. The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar - Rishikesh - Deo Prayag - Tehri - Dharasu - Yamunotri - Uttar Kashi - Gangotri - Triyugnarayan - Gaurikund and Kedarnath. Alternatively, the route to Kedarnath from Rishikesh is via Deo Prayag, Srinagar, Rudra Prayag, Agastmuni, Gupt Kashi and Gaurikund. Near Kedarnath is the source of the river Mandakini. Mandakini joins Alakananda at Rudra Prayag.

FESTIVALS

Badarikeshwar Festival
Makar Sankranti (Jan)
Basant Panchmi(Jan-Feb)
Shivaratri (Feb)
Nandasthami (Mar)
Holi (Mar)
Baisakhi (Apr)
Rakshabandhan (Aug)
Mata Murti(Sep)
Lekhpal (Sep)
Shri Krishna Janamashtami (Aug-Sep)
Dussehra (Oct)
Dipawali (Oct-Nov)

FAIRS

Nagnath (Feb)
Nanda Devi Nagnath (Mar)
Shivaratri Gopeshwar (Feb-Mar)
Maithan Maithan (March))
Bishwat Sankranti Kamprayag/Nandprayag (Apr)
Bikhot Agastyamuni (Apr)
Nautha AdiBadari (May)
Kaviltha Kaviltha (Jun)
Navmi Jasoli Haryali (Aug)
Nanda Devi Bedni Bugyal (Sep)
Nanda Devi Lata (Sep-Oct)
Krishna Mela Joshimath (Nov)
Gouchar Mela Gauchar (Nov)
Ansi Mela Anusuya Devi (Dec)
Sardotsava Joshimath (Feb)
Sardotsava Chomoli Gopeshwar (Feb-Mar)

PLACES-TO-SEE

Shankaracharya Samadhi: The Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is located just behind the Kedarnath temple. It is said that after establishing four sacred Dhams in India, he went into his samadhi at an early age of 32 years.

Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar): A small lake from where Yudhishthir, the eldest of the Pandavas, is said to have departed to heaven. It is a 2 km trek from Kedarnath. The floating ice on the crystal clear waters of the lake is a fascinating sight.

Gaurikund: 14 km. The trekking base to Kedarnath and the road head, this village has a temple dedicated to Gauri and also thermal springs of medicinal value.

Vasuki Tal: 6 km. At 4135 mtr. above sea level, this lake is extraordinary, surrounded by high mountains and offering an excellent view of the Chaukhamba peaks.

Sonprayag: The confluence of Son Ganga and Mandakini rivers. Road to Triyuginarayan diverts (14 km) from here.

Triyuginarayan: 25 km. The mythological venue where the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati was solemnized. It is a short trek of 5 km from Son Prayag. An eternal flame, which is said to have been the witness to the marriage, burns in front of the temple even today.

Gupt Kashi: Guptaksahi has a great importance quite like that of Kashi. The ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardnareswar temple and Manikarnik Kund, where the two streams of Ganga and Yamuna are believed for their redemption. Lord Shiv was not willing and so eluded the Pandavas repeatedly. He took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. Being followed by Pandavas, he dived into the ground leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of God reappeared at four other places. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the stomach (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and the locks with the head at Kalepeshwar. They are all worshipped there as manifestations of Lord Shiva.

Ukhimath: 60 km. Winter home of the deity at Kedarnath temple and the seat of the Rawal of Kedarnath. Connected by bus services to Rudraprayag and other major centres.

Agastyamuni: 18 kms form Rudraprayag, at an altitude of 1000 mts and on the bank of river Mandakini, this is the place where Rishi Agastya meditated for years.
A temple by the name of Agasteshwar Mahadev is dedicated to sage Agastya and this temple is also of an archaeological significance, figures of Gods and Goddesses have been carved out on stones. On the occasion of Baisakhi a large fair is held and many devotees come here to worship and pay their homage to God.

For food and accommodation, a Forest Rest House and private hotels are available. Other facilities include market, bank, hospitals and telephone etc.

Chopta: Situated on the Gopeshwar Ukhimath road about 40 km from Gopeshwar at an altitude of about 2500 mtrs above sea level, Chopta is one of the most picturesque spots in the Garhwal region. It provides a breathtaking view of Himalayan ranges surrounding it. Deoria Tal At an altitude of 2,440 mt, is beautiful lake a situated on the Chopta - Ukhimath motor road. In the early morning, the snow-capped peaks are clearly reflected on the lake waters. This lake also provides an excellent venue for angling, as well as birdwatching.

The Kedar Massif: This is an outstanding massif formed by the three major mountains - Kedar dome, Bharatekuntha at 6578 Meters, is connected to Kedarnath to the East, by a long and dangerous avalanche ridden ridge. At 6000 meters it looks stunning and has several glacial flows, one of which is the Mandakini glacier running down its ridges.

Kedarnath and Kedardome, are connected by a deep ridge. Kedar dome at 6831 Meters presents a fair challenge to climbers. Kedarnath is however, a difficult peak to climb. At 6940 Meters it is just beneath the level where the oxygen layer is thin. Anyone interested in a good day trek, could take the well travelled path from behind the temple toward Bharatekuntha. About three kilometers away in the valley formed by the Kedarnath massif, is Chorabhari Tal. This lake has been renamed Gandhi Sarovar after the Mahatma's ashes were immersed in lake.

Kalimath: Situated at 6000 ft. Kalimath is the famous pilgrimage place of Garhwal. This temple belongs to Maa Kali. Dhaval river flows besides the temple.

Deoria Tal: Sari village is the last bus terminus on Chopta - Ukhimath road from where a 2 km trek leads to Deoria Tal. This is a beautiful lake at an attitude of 2,438 mts. gives the spectracular reflection of show capped peaks in the lake water Ideal spot for angling and bird watching.

Tips

This is true for travellers coming to India as most Indians are quite attuned to the travel conditions in the country.
Avoid drinking water at all cost unless it is bottled water from a reputed company.
Food-wise anything that is boiled, cooked or fried is a safer bet than anything cold or raw. So avoid cold salads, raw vegetables, drinks with ice etc.
Carry a mosquito/insect repellent wherever you go to avoid diseases like malaria or simply even the itchy discomfort.
Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever etc. Also, keep on your personal band-aids and an antiseptic ointment.
Use sunscreen all the time to prevent sunburn. Try and wear a hat if you're going to be in the sun.
Initially, at least, avoid excessive alcohol and strenuous activity to stave off heat stroke.
Ensure you are physically and mentally fit to perform the journey as the Yatra involves trekking at an altitude of 1,4000ft. Get yourself medically examined and certified fit for the journey.
At least a month before the Yatra, it is advisable to start preparatory exercises: Even a brisk walk of about 4 to 5 km per day would be beneficial. Breathing exercises like Pranayama would help combat the lack of sufficient oxygen at high altitudes.
Do carry heavy woollens, including thermal body warmers, wind cheaters, raincoats, sleeping bags, blankets, water-proof shoes with sufficient grips, small water proof tents, torch with sufficient batteries and walking sticks.
Keep a slip with your Name, Address and the name of accompanying yatri in your pocket.
Women are advised to avoid sarees and opt for salwar kameez or trousers.
Carry water and dry eatables. Ration and firewood quota is available en route and can be purchased.
All medical facilities during Yatra are free. It is advisable to carry your own personal medical kit and First aid box.
Hire only a registered ponywalla or porter. Don't walk far away from ponies carrying luggage.
Move slowly and steadily, as this is an arduous pilgrimage and maintain discipline.
Don't relax at places where warning signs are fixed. Don't attempt short cuts on the route.
Please carry an oxygen kit.

Other Facilities

Bank: State Bank of India, Kedarnath
Post Offices: Sub-Post Office, Kedarnath, Ph : (01732-86)26208
Hospitals: Government Dispensary, Kedarnath
Telecom: Public telephones for national and international telephone calls are available.

Places To See AT Badarinath Dham

Places to see at and around Badrinath Temple:

Kund: Located just below the temple, the meeting point of Alaknanda and Rishi Ganga rivers, this thermal spring of hot sulphurous water has inviting freshwater pool. The bathing area, 16.1/2 feet by 14.1/4 feet, has separate arrangements for men and women. Although the normal temperature is 55°c, the water temperature keeps rising gradually during the day. It is considered to have high medicinal value. A dip here is considered to be a good cure for skin diseases.

Narad Kund: Located near Tapt Kund, this kund is believed to be the recovery source of the Badarinath idol. The hot water springs comes out from beneath the Garur Shila and falls into a tank. Darshan of Badarinath is always preceded by a holy dip in this kund. Apart from that there are many other hot water springs. Devotees take a dip in them for their religious and medicinal value. Suraj Kund at Badarinath and Gauri Kund on way to Kedarnath are another famous Kunds.
Caution: Avoid staying too long inside the hot spring water pool to prevent skin burn.

Mana Village - Vyas & Ganesh Gufa: 4 km from Shri Badarinath, inhabited by Indo-Mongolian tribe, it is considered to be the last Indian village boardering Tibet. The villagers of Mana are closely linked with the activities of Shri Badarinath temple for they offer a choli to the deity on the closing day of the temple - an annual traditional feat. The Mana village is full of caves and it is said that Ved Vyas dictated his famous epic of Mahabharat to Ganesh, in one of these caves, now known as Vyas Gufa (cave). Inside is a marble statue of Ved Vyas shown writing the granth (epic book). On this route a natural bridge over the Saraswati river and 125 m high Vasudhara falls form an important part of the pilgrimage to Badarinath.

The area around the remote village even in ancient times offered ideal setting and excellent shelter to philosophers and saints. The caves associated with ancient sages and yogis, like Ganesh Gufa, Bhima Gufa and Muchakanda Gufa are known since very long.

Govindghat, Valley of Flowers: Situated between Joshimath and Badarinath, Gobindghat is the starting point for the trek to the valley of flowers. The vicinity has Lakshman Temple and an imposing Gurudwar a named after tenth sikh Guru Govind Singh.

Lok-Pal Hemkund Sahib: One of the most famous Gurudwaras in India, Hemkund Sahib is located here, at an altitude of 4320 meters above sea level. Lying in heavenly environs, the place is revered both by Hindus and Sikhs, as well as for people from other faiths it is an important pilgrimage. Encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their associated glaciers, it reflects the surroundings enchantingly on its crystal clear screne waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat & Sapt Rishi Peaks feed the lake and small stream called Himganga flows out to this lake. It is believed that Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, meditated by the lake and regained his health after being severely wounded by Meghnath, son of the demon King Ravana, during battle. There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman temple built on the bank of the lake.

The motorhead for Hemkund Sahib is Govind Ghat located 20 km from Joshimath & 270 km from Rishikesh. The trek upto Ghangaria is the same as for the Valley of Flowers. The trek from Govind Ghat to Hemkund Sahib is about 20 km and is steep climb. Porters & ponies are available at Govindghat. Private taxies & other light vehicles also ply between Rishikesh (nearest railhead) & Govind Ghat and back.

Mata Murti Mandir: About 3 km from Badarinath, on the right bank of the Alaknanda stands this temple, dedicated to the mother of Shri Badarinath (Maa Murti).


Vasuki Tal: This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badarinath.

Joshimath: It is the first math established by Shri Adi Sankara, is located at a distance of 14 kms from Helang enroute to Badari. Adi Sankara is believed to have got enlightenment here and authored Sri Sankara Bhashyam. This located at a height of 6150 ft above sea level. Here, there are separate temples for Lord Narasimha and Lord Vasudev (different forms of Lord Vishnu). This is one of the 108 Divya Desams (sung by Sacred Vaishnavaite Saints).

Atop the cave is the Kalpvriksha, a Mulberry tree that is said to be 2400 years old under which Adi Guru is believed to have attained enlightenment. It is one of the four 'Maths' organized by Adiguru, the other three are at Dwarika, Puri and Rameshwaram. Located at a height of 6150 ft above sea level, there are separate temples for Lord Narsimh and Lord Vasudev (different forms of Lord Vishnu). This is one of the 108 Divya Desams (sung by Sacred Vaishnavaite Saints).

In the temple for Lord Narasimha, separate statues of Badari narayan, Udhava, Kuber, Chandikadevi, Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Garud can be seen together in the sanctum. Outside the temple separate statues of Brahma, Krishana, Lakshmi & Anjaneya can be seen. Vyas Maharishi is believed to have worshipped Goddess Lakshmi here. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is believed to have been established by Adi Sankara. It is widely believed that one hand of the presiding deity is getting weakened and the day it disjoints, the way to Badari will get eternally blocked and Lord Badari Narayan will thereafter give darshan only at either Bhavishya Badari or Adi Badari (part of Panch Badaris).

The temple of Lord Vasudev houses Lord Vasudev in the sanctum sanctorum as well as Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Leela devi, Oorvasi devi & Balram in the outer praharam. Further separate structures are available for Vinayaka, Brahma, Indira, Chandra(Moon), Navadurgas & Gauri Shankar.

Village Mana - Vyas Guha: This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from Badarinath is the last Indian Village situated at the Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance on account of Vyas Caves. This village located on the banks of River Saraswati (only place where this river can be seen) is very beautiful. Maharishi Vyas (Sage), author of the Mahabharat is believed to have lived in the caves, hence named after him. It was in these caves, Vyas Maharishi composed the Mahabharata. This was done at the orders of his mentor Kalpatru Maharishi who appeared in his dream. Mahabharata depicts the history of Pandavs, Kauravs including the epic war of Kurukshetra and most importantly Bhagawad Gita authored by Krishna (reincarnation of Vishnu). Ganesh, the son of Shiv and Parvati, is said to have helped Vyas Maharishi in putting this epic in the written form. In addition to Mahabharat, Vyas Maharishi composed 18 puranas (legendary stories), Brahma Sutras and classified the Hindu Vedas into 4 parts – Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. It is only in this cave that Adi Shankara is believed to have met Maharishi Vyas and discussed his Sankara Bhashyam (explanatory notes) for Brahma Sutras.

Rock formation inside the Vyas Guha appears to resemble the orderly stacking of palm leave manuscripts – oldest writing material and is worshipped as Vyas Pusthak. Maharishi Vyas is also considered, by some, as reincarnation of Vishnu. Ganesh Guha (caves) is also located in Mana Village.

Pandukeshwar: This place is believed to have been established by King Pandu, father of Pandavas. It is situated at 4 kms from Govind Ghat, 219 kms from Kedarnath and 24 kms from Badarinath. There are two temples – one for Lord Yoga Badari Narayan and the other for Lord Vasudev. During winter, Lord Vasudev temple functions as the abode for Lord Badari Narayan and all the daily rituals connected with worship are performed here. Both the temples are centuries old.

Adi Badar: The main Temple is of the lord Narayan that is distinguished by a raised platform in the pyramidal form. Here a black stone idol of lord Vishnu is enshrined. Local tradition attributes the building of the temples to Adi Guru Shankaracharya. It is situated at a distance of 17 Kms from Karnaprayag and is easily approachable by motorable road. On way to Ranikhet are some beautiful remains of 16 small temples belonging to the Gupta period.

Brahma Kapa: In a quest to ensure a heavenly abode for the dead ancestors, the shradh ceremony (propitiating rites) or the offering of pind is an important part of Hindu rituals. After offering pind here, it is believed, the spirits of the dead are permanently enshrined in Heaven and no more pinds are to be offered elsewhere. The Brahma Kapal, on the bank of the Alaknanda is a flat platform a few yards north of the temple. Legend has it that when Shiva chopped off the fifth head of Brahma, it got stuck to his trident. Lastly with the blessing of Lord Vishnu at Badarivan, the head of Brahma fell down from the trident at this place & hence the name Brahma-Kapal (head).

Charan Paduka: 3 km away is a beautiful meadow carpeted with wild flowers in the summer. Here is a boulder bearing the footprints of Lord Vishnu. It is said that when Lord Vishnu descended from Vaikunth (the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu) he stepped on this boulder. The area is a steep climb from the town and is full of caves & boulders.

Neelkanth Peak: At the back of the temple, a side valley opens to a conical shaped Neelkanth peak (6600 m.) It is popularly known as the Garhwal Queen. It is a shining pyramid of white crystals, which are ever ready to change their colour & hue. Reflecting the first glow of dawn into the valley & glittering like a golden temple, Neelkanth embodies all the divinity of this divine land.

Sheshnetre: On the opposite bank of the river Alaknanda, in the lap of Nar Parvat, there are two small seasonal lakes. Between these lakes is a boulder having an impression of the legendary snake, Sheshnag. The formation of eye on the boulder is natural.

Panch Dharas & Panch Shilas: The Panch Dharas (five streams) which are famous in Badaripuri are Prahlad, Kurma, Bhrigu, Urvashi & Indira dhara. The most striking of these is the Indira dhara, about 1.5 km north of the town Badaripuri. Bhrigudhara flows past a number of caves. The one on the right of river Rishi Ganga, originally from the Neelkanth range is Urvashi dhara. Kurma dhara water is extremely cold whereas Prahlad dhara has lukewarm water, which glides majestically down the rocks of Narain Parvat.

Around the Tapt Kund there are five blocks of mythological importance called Narad, Narsimh, Barah, Garur & Markandeya Shilas (stone).

Standing between Tapt and Narad Kund is conical formed Narad Shila. It is said that the sage Narad meditated on this rock for several years. Standing in the waters of Alaknanda just below the Narad Shila is a huge stone looking like a lion with its gaping jaws and hooked claws. It is said that Bhagwan Narsimh after killing the demon King Hiranyakashyapa remained in the shape of a block of stone forever.

Near the Narad Kund the Barah Shila has the shape of boar. Barah is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Garur Shila near the Tapt Kund had Garur (the carrier of Vishnu) fasted & meditated on this stone. Sage Markandeya on the advice of Narad left Mathura to meditate here in Badarivan and attained ultimate peace. Markandeya Shila is the stone on which the Sage meditated.

0Mata Murti Temple: On the right bank of Alaknanda opposite the Mana village is a small temple of Mata Murti dedicated to the mother of Shri Badarinathji. Once a year on the day of Vamana Dwadashi, the Narain (Badarinathji) pays a visit to Mata Murti, when she is worshipped by the Rawal of Badarinathji and the residents of Mana village organise a festival of prayer, havan & bhog. Belief is that Mata Murti has the power of granting Vairagya to those who sincerely meditate here for a few days.

Saraswati: 3 km north of Mana village emerges the river Saraswati from a lateral glacier. Saraswati is known as the Goddess of learning, blessed Ved Vyas to compose the epic Mahabharata at Mana. The river after touching Vyas Gufa, gets lost in the Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag. From here to Allahabad, Saraswati flows incognito. It is said that at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Allahabad, the Saraswati remains invisible.

Vasudhara Falls: 3 km from Mana village, the Vasudhara falls, 125 m high, against the backdrop of snow covered mountains and glaciers is a captivating sight. The torrents of water come gushing down and are diffused in fine showers and soft mist by wind blowing from different directions. Close to the falls are prominent peaks of Satopanth, Chaukhamba and Balkum. One is also able to see the glacial snouts from where the river Alaknanda emerges.

Bhimpul - Bhim Bridge: The bridge over the river Saraswati on the outskirts of Mana village is made of a huge slab of stone. It is believed that when the Pandavas and Draupadi were on their way to Swargarohan, Bhim bridged the river with the huge slab to get them across. The view from the bridge is truly spectacular.

Valley Of Flowers: An irresistible treat for naturalists, ecologists, environmentalists, zoologists, ornithologists, trekkers, tourist and pilgrims, the valley was introduced to the world in 1937 as the Valley of Flowers by Frank S. Smith mountaineer, explorer and botanist.
The valley remains snow covered from November to May but when the ice envelop thaws in June it is a signal for profusion of colors hidden in petals of alpine herbs to blaze during July & August. Some 300 species of wild flowers bloom here in a natural way.The valley remains in bloom for three months while the floral composition keeps on changing every few days. Best time to visit is between August 3rd week and September 2nd week.

The 19 km trek starts from Gobindghat, situated between Joshimath and Badarinath.The main land of the valley is about 4 km from Ghanghria. After trekking, 1 km from Ghanghria, a bifurcation point (one way leads to Hemkund Sahib & other to Valley of Flowers) is reached. Travel beyond Ghangaria is on foot since the entry of ponies is prohibited.

Auli (Skiing)

The Himalayas are the world's highest mountain chain, and also the youngest. Believed to be the home of gods, the sages have always come to the Himalayas to attain bliss, meditate and experience divinity.

People come from around the world to seek solitude from an increasingly The Himalayas are the world's highest mountain chain, and also the youngest. Believed to be the home of gods, the sages have always come to the Himalayas to attain bliss, meditate and experience divinity.

People come from around the world to seek solitude from an increasingly Auli in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal offers exciting skiing opportunities to Auli in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal offers exciting skiing opportunities to both, the beginner as well as the advanced skier. Snow capped slopes of Auli specially 3 km long slope (2519 m - 3049 m) flanked by tall stately Deodar forests cut the wind velocity to the minimum. Just 16 km from Joshimath on the Badarinath route, Auli offers a 180o panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817 m), Kamet (7756 m), Mana Parvat (7273 m) & Dunagiri (7066 m).

It is found that the slopes compared favourably with those in Europe. Seasonal skiers have a clean stretch of 10-20 km of absolutely virgin slopes to sport on. Auli has been easily adapted for family with children too young to try the skill of skiing. They can enjoy the cable car rides & rope lifts. It is a spectacular sight to see the sun rising over the high snow peaks quite early in the morning. Auli is surrounded by places of pilgrims & destinations like Badarinath, Joshimath, Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flowers.

The ideal time to be at Auli is from January to March. Auli is 253 km from Rishikesh & 13 km from Joshimath.

Shri Badrinath Dham

Badarinath Dham is considered as one of the most sacred centers of pilgrimage situated in the lofty Himalayan heights in the Garhwal hill tracks (Uttarakhand), situated at the height of 3133 m (10248 feet) above sea level. The route to Badarinath is one of the most fascinating one due to the lofty hilly terrain, curves and cliffs amidst the most scenically beautiful place on the earth.

Throughout the route to Badarinath there are numerous pilgrimage sites at Deo Prayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Vishnuprayag; as well as Pandukeswar where king Pandu observed meditation with his queen Madri and where his sons Pandavas, stayed during their pilgrimage to heaven, and the site where Bhima and Hanuman (sons of Vayu) met.

At Badarinath Lord MahaVishnu is believed to have done his penance. Seeing the Lord doing his penance in the open, Goddess Mahalaxmi is believed to have assumed the form of Badari tree to provide him shelter to face the onslaught of the adverse weather conditions, therefore the name Badari Narayan. It is believed that Lord Vishnu revealed to Narad rishi that Nar & Naryans forms were his own. It is also believed that Narad rishi, who also did his penance here, is even now worshipping the supreme God with Ashtakshara mantras.

The image of Badarinarayan here is fashioned out of Saligramam. Badarinarayan is seen under the Badari tree, flanked by Kuber and Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. Mahalakshmi has a sanctum outside in the parikrama. There is also a shrine to Adi Sankara at Badarinath.

Behind the temple of Lord Badarinarayan is the Lakshmi Narsimh mandir, with shrines to Desikacharya and Ramanujachary.At Badarinath one can witness one of the greatest wonders of Nature in the Hot water springs of Taptkund on the banks of ice chilled river Alaknanda. The temperature of the water in the Kund is 55 degree centigrade whereas the normal temperature in this region for most part of the year remains at 9-10 degree centigrade to sub-zero levels. Before visiting the temple the pilgrims take a holy bath in the Taptkund.

The Temple's present structure was built by the Kings of Garhwal. The Temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), the Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar & Narayan.

Lord Badari Narayan (also called as Badari Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vehicle of Lord Narayan). Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujam. Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.

Door Opening:-The door of Shri Badarinath Temple will open on 19th May 2010 at 8:05 AM.

Best Time to visit:- The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.

0SIGNIFICANCE

Chardham-And-The-Chaaryug: The Puranas chronicle the history of the Chardham (the four mosr sacred centres of Hindu pilgrimage) and the Four Yugas (eras). According to them Badarinarayan belongs to the Satyug, Rameshwaram to the Tretayug, Dwarkadhish to the Dwaparyug and Jagannath to the Kalyug.

Badarinath-Through-The-Age Lord-Narayan-And-Badarikas

Badarikashram has been known by different names in different times:

In the Satyug it was called the Muktiprada because in this era Lord Narayan himself resided in the Badarivan (the forest of Badari Trees), his devotees could see him whenever they wished to.

In the Tretayug Lord Narayan was only visible to those who had acquired the vision after great sadhana (penance) and those who were yogamukt. Since Lord Narayan could only be seen by the few, who had meditated, the place came to be known as Yogasiddhit.

In the Dwaparyug the region became widely known. His fame spread far and wide, as a result large number of people visited Lord Narayan and so the place came to be known as Vishala, which means very large.

Badari trees grew in abundance in this region, Hence this place came to be known as Badarikashram.

The Heenyaan did not believe in idolatry. On the other hand the Mahayaanis were idol worshippers. The road to the Tibet based Kailash Mansarovar passed through Badarikashram in those days. The people of the Mahayaan sect looked upon Lord Badarinath as another form of Buddha and paid their obeisance to him with reverence and faith. But the Heenyaan who were not idol worshippers started disturbing the peace of the Badarikashram. The situation worsened to the extent that the devotees found it difficult to protect the Lord’s idols. They came to the conclusion that since the earth is never seedless it will produce another great soul at some time. They put the idols of Lord Narayan back in the Naradkund. The mahayaana sect fled from the Badari region to other places.

Lord-Shiva-and-The-Sages

Wherever the ascetics of the Badari lived also came to be known as the Panch Badari. As a result the actual location of Badari became doubtful. When the divine bodied saadhakas (ascetics) could not see the idols of Lord Narayan in the Naradkund they were so much depressed thet they expressed their sorrow to Lord Shiva. They lamented that one could not achieve darshan of the lord even at the Badarikashram and wondered at the cause. Lord Shiva meditated on this question and then told them what was revealed to him. He said that the trouble was not only in Badarikashram but in entire Bharat (India). The people of Bharat (India) had forgotten the ways of the Vedas. To re-establish Vedic thought and to revive the lost significance of the pilgrimage centres he said he would have to take birth as a mortal. After reassuring them he asked them to leave.

"Vipra bhairav datsya gehe gatva sa ve shiva
Tatputro bhumiloke shankronama: vishruta"

Thus Lord Shiv took birth in Southern Kerala in a village called Kaladi in the family of a Brahmin named Bhairavdatta.

When Adi Shankaracharya was 11 years old he and his fellow disciples arrived at Badarikashram. When he reached early in the morning there the fresh and divine breeze of Sushmaand Gandhmadan mountain moved him greatly and he spontaneously started reciting the Ashtapadi. After a few days he started looking for the divine idols of Badarinath along the southern part of the Alaknanda river. As he delved along the left bank of the river he felt certain that the Naradkund also known as the Narayankund was between the Naradshila and the Varahshila. With this belief he dived into the pond and found an idol. On bringing it out of the water and closely inspecting it he felt that it did not have any distinctive features to indicate it was a divine idol.

He put it back into the water and again dived into the Narayankund and again found an idol but did not find anything distinctive about it. He dived the third time and again found an idol and just when he was about to put it back into the water a voice harkened him, which said

"I am Badarinath and have been consecrated by Brahma once before."

The voice asked him to give his divine idol its rightful place.

Thus about 2500 years ago Badarinath was consecrated and worshipped by Adi Shankaracharya. The rituals and procedure of worship as laid out by Adi Shankaracharya is being practised at Badarinath till today. Srimad Bhagvad Gita has explained the significance of the temple and glory of Lord Shri Badarinarayan.

FESTIVALS

Mata Murti Ka Mela

A grand fair is organized in Badarinath Temple in the month of September. On this day the mother of Lord Badarinath is worshipped and hence it is named as Mata Murti Ka Mela. According to a popular legend, when the river Ganges descended on earth for the welfare of the Human beings, she divided into twelve channels. The place where the river flowed became the abode of Lord Vishnu. This is precisely the holy land known as Badarinath.

Badari Kedar Festival

Held in the month of June, nothing could be a perfect manifestation of Hindu religion and culture. The Badari Kedar festival is held in the sacred shrines of Badarinath and Kedarnath in the month of June. The festivities go on for a stretch of eight days. The festival makes an attempt to bring under one platform, the greatest artists of the country. What could be a more apt tribute to the rich Indian culture?

TRAVEL-INFO

The sacred place boasts of beautiful scenic beauty apart from being one of the most sought-after pilgrim centre. The tourists fall for the exceptional beauty and the beautiful temples while the pilgrims feel like being in heaven after being so close to the historically sacred God's place.

Acclimatizing becomes torturing for an unplanned and naïve visitor. It needs advance planning and preparation on visitor's part to enjoy the stay. The links under Places-to-see on the right section provides information to help people chalk out the itinerary smoothly.

TIPS

This is true for travelers coming to India as most Indians are quite attuned to the travel conditions in the country.
Avoid drinking water at all cost unless it is bottled water from a reputed company.
Food-wise anything that is boiled, cooked or fried is a safer bet than anything cold or raw. So avoid cold salads, raw vegetables, drinks with ice etc.
Carry a mosquito/insect repellent wherever you go to avoid diseases like malaria or simply even the itchy discomfort.
Always carry a kit of the basic emergency medicines you might need for diarrhoea, fever etc. Also, keep on your personal band-aids and an antiseptic ointment.
Use sunscreen all the time to prevent sunburn. Try and wear a hat if you're going to be in the sun.
Initially, at least, avoid excessive alcohol and strenuous activity to stave off heat stroke.
Ensure you are physically and mentally fit to perform the journey as the Yatra involves trekking at an altitude of 1,4000ft. Get yourself medically examined and certified fit for the journey.
At least a month before the Yatra, it is advisable to start preparatory exercises: Even a brisk walk of about 4 to 5 km per day would be beneficial. Breathing exercises like Pranayama would help combat the lack of sufficient oxygen at high altitudes.
Do carry heavy woollens, including thermal body warmers, wind cheaters, raincoats, sleeping bags, blankets, water-proof shoes with sufficient grips, small water proof tents, torch with sufficient batteries and walking sticks.
Keep a slip with your Name, Address and the name of accompanying yatri in your pocket.
Women are advised to avoid sarees and opt for salwar kameez or trousers.
Carry water and dry eatables. Ration and firewood quota is available en route and can be purchased.
All medical facilities during Yatra are free. It is advisable to carry your own personal medical kit and First aid box.
Hire only a registered ponywalla or porter. Don't walk far away from ponies carrying luggage.
Move slowly and steadily, as this is an arduous pilgrimage and maintain discipline.
Don't relax at places where warning signs are fixed. Don't attempt short cuts on the route. Please carry an oxygen kit.

Shirdi Sai Baba

How to Reach Shirdi?

The sacred abode of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi is easily accessible from all the corners of India and even from all the major cities of the world. You can reach this pilgrim center by air, train and road, which ever medium that suits you.

By Air: The nearest airport to Shirdi is at Nashik, 75kms away, Aurangabad is at a distance of 150kms, which is connected by all the major towns of India. You can also come till Mumbai by air and travel down to 296kms to reach Shirdi. Mumbai has both international and domestic airports that grant connectivity to the world. Domestic airport in Pune is about 231kms from Shirdi. Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International airport is 305 km away from Shirdi. All the major airlines have service from Mumbai to all major cities in India and many cities abroad including Singapore, Hong Kong, Colombo and gulf countries. Taxis are available from Mumbai to Shirdi and costs about Rs 6000. There are regular public and private transport operators that ensure your easy access to the sanctum of Saibaba.

By Rail/Train: Kopergaon on Daund-Manmad Line is an important railway station about 16kms from Shirdi. This station is on the route of the Karnataka Express from New Delhi to Bangalore. Taxi charge from Kopergaon to Shirdi is about Rs 300. Manmad is another important station about 58kms from Shirdi which carries a number trains from Mumbai and Delhi. Shirdi has a computerized Railway Ticket Booking Center within the temple premises. From here you can have railway tickets of whichever destination all through India.

By Road: Shirdi can be reached by taking a Bus from almost all major cities of Maharashtra. Shirdi is well connected to all neighboring cities by Government owned buses. Private A/C and non A/C deluxe buses are also available from Nasik, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune to Shirdi. Bus fare is about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per head. Shirdi is on the Ahmednagar-Manmad Highway, 250 km from Mumbai and 75 km from Nashik. MTDC runs buses from all major destinations.

Hotels in Shirdi / Where to stay in Shirdi?

Devotees of all the status of the society, from every corner of the Nation, use to come to Shirdi for Baba's Darshan. The number of Devotees coming to Shirdi is increasing day by day. The daily average of floating population is almost 25,000. So the demand for accommodation is one of the greatest requirement of these Devotees. Out of the visiting Devotees, the rich can afford to stay in luxurious & costly private star hotels, but common Devotees can't.

Sansthan is taking care of these common Devotees by providing the accommodations at fairly affordable prices. Our accommodations are far better than the private accommodations, if considered on equal parameters. A simple room (non-attached with latrine & bathroom) with common facilities, is available merely at the charge of Rs. 50/-, which can accommodate four person. And the luxurious A.C. suits are also available at the charge of Rs.700/- per day.

The New Bhakta Niwas is the biggest accommodation complex consisting 542 rooms of various categories. It is about 01 Kilometer away, on south of the Mandir Complex, on the Highway itself. Free bus service, shuttling between the New Bhakta Niwas & the Mandir Complex is provided round the clock. This complex is well equipped with the parking space, canteen facility, 24 Hr. water, electricity supply (with full capacity generator back-up) and the security. It is equipped with the solar hot water system.

The Dharmashala Complex is on south-west of the Mandir Complex & on west of the Bus-stand, hardly at the distance of 0.5 Kilometer from S.T. stand. This complex is established in year 2000, mainly to facilitate the devotees coming in major groups. It has big dormitories & large halls to accommodate 15 to 80 people. The average charge, including the common services of latrine & Bath-rooms, is merely Rs.13/- per person. This complex is also well equipped with the facilities like the parking space, canteen facility, 24 Hr. water, electricity supply (with full capacity generator back-up) and the security.

Some Budget Hotels are Shri Keshav Hotel, Laxmi Palace Hotel, Lodhas Hotel, Sai Ashish Hotel, Kuber Inn Hotel, Kalpataru Hotel.
Some Star Hotels are Shraddha Park Inn- Shirdi
Some Luxury Hotels are Sun-n-Sand Shirdi and Goradias Hotel
Resorts are Sanskruti Resort and Jaykadee Resort.

Best Time to Visit Shirdi

Best Time to Visit Shirdi
Monsoons : June to August
Ramnavami : March/April
Guru Purnima : July
Vijayadashmi (Sri Sai Punyatithi) : October

Shirdi is the holy abode of Shri Sai Baba and thousands of pilgrims throng the town each day from across India and beyond. You can visit the Shri Saibaba temple at anytime you wish, however Monsoons i.e., between June and August are the period considered to be the best time to be here. Reason being the weather, which is simply so pleasant and inviting. You don't need to bother about sweat and heat; with drizzling and cool breeze all around your mystical journey to Shirdi becomes heavenly. Winters are also quite a good time to visit Shirdi. Winters are not harsh in here and temperature can dip to 7 degree Celsius.

However, you can plan your trip or pilgrimage to Shirdi during one of the three major festivals that are celebrated here with great fervor and excitement. These three festivals are Ram Navami, Guru Purnima and Vijayadashamai. During these festivals thousands of devotees flock in here and the whole atmosphere of the Shirdi becomes vibrant with puja, bhajan (music), rath yatra (processions with palanquin) and many more events.

You can come to participate in Ramanavami at Shirdi, celebrated every year in March or April. It is also the time when Saibaba's urus is held. Urus is a muslim festival that is celebrated to honor a saint. This shows the kind of communal harmony that weaves people of different faiths at Shirdi. This year that is in 2007, Shirdi is celebrating the Ramnavami from 26th to 28th of March.

Gurupurnima or Full Moon is also a wonderful time to visit Shirdi. In 2007, Shirdi is celebrating Guru Purnima from 28th to 30th July. This is the time devotees all across the world converge in Shirdi to seek Saibaba's blessings. There is also Vyasa Puja that is held during Guru Purnima, in honor of Ved Vyasa who wrote the epic Mahabharata.

Vijayadashmi is a big festival in Shirdi, venerated as a holy day when Shri Saibaba left his mortal body for heavenly abode. The festival is celebrated as Shri Sai Punyathithi in Shirdi attracting great number of devotees from all over the world. This year the festival is celebrated from 20th to 23rd October.

You can choose any of the festive seasons to make a spiritual journey to Shirdi and of course any other time is equally fulfilling.

Shirdi Weather

Climate: Dry Climate
Temperature: Max - 40º C, Min - 7º C
Monsoon: Scanty rains (June - August)

Shirdi is located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra on latitude 19°45' N and longitude 74°25' E. This pilgrim spot has mostly dry climate and during summers the temperature can be quite volatile. During summers you can expect the temperature shooting as high as 40º C in the month of May. Winters can be cold in Shirdi, with January often showing temperature dipping to as low as 7º C.

Shirdi has the most pleasant weather during Monsoons, between June and August. It is the time when the surroundings of Shirdi turn fecund and greenery is all round. However, Monsoons in Shirdi are mild with scanty rains and hence they come as a pleasant respite that never gets ruined with excess of rains. In fact Monsoons are the best time when you can plan your visit to Shirdi. Amidst the drizzling you can pay homage to Saibaba and participate in all the activities without bothering about sweat.

Weather and overall climate of Shirdi is quite tolerable; however, those hailing from cold countries may find it slightly upsetting if they happen to tread in here in the summer. Wear comfy clothes with cotton fabric. Loose garments are preferable; one must respect India's dressing sense and they should not be offensive to anyone's sensibilities.

Shirdi Excursions:

Pilgrims visit Shirdi to make a mark in their spiritual journey. This holy land becomes a turning point in the lives of many devotees. Coming to this holy land is also an invitation to visit many religious sites that will interest you. About 75kms from Shirdi lies Nashik, another of major holy cities of India. You could also venture out to Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad about 144kms from Shirdi. There are many more significant religious and tourist destinations that will make your pilgrimage to Shirdi even more worth cherishing.

Sakori : Close to Shirdi is Sakori at a distance of about 5kms. Sakori is a very special place and popular among pilgrims for its Shri Upasani Kanyakumari Sthan. You can come here for peace and tranquility. Founded by Upasani Baba in 1917, Shri Upasani Kanyakumari Sthan reverberates with positive energy that can be felt by anyone. Shri Sai Baba took him as his Param Shishya, meaning Astute Devotee.

Shanisinghnapur : Shanisinghnapur is a village that is the holy seat Lord Shani. Another important pilgrim spot near to Shirdi, Shanisinghnapur is about 70 km from here Shirdi. Here the devotees themselves can perform pooja and abhishek on any day at Shari Shaneshvar tirtha. Amavasya or the no moon day, which falls on a Saturday, is considered to be most auspicious. On such a day lakhs of devotees from all corners of the country come to receive blessings of Shri Shanidev. On every Shani Amavasya a yatra is held with great fanfare. One unique quality about this village is that there are no doorframes or locks in any of the houses. It is said that it's because of Lord Shani's blessings that there is no fear of crime in the village.

Nashik; Nashik is among the most holy places that evokes a personality of its own. Rich in mythological connotations with great historical and cultural significance, Nashik is about 75 km from Shirdi. Here you can visit several of temples and religious spots making your spiritual journey lively and fulfilling. Among the temples you could visit Panchavati with five sacred banyan trees and Sita Gumpha. You can also visit Naroshankar Temple built in an architectural style of Maya. Kalaram Temple is dedicated to Kala Ram built with black stones. Sundarnarayan Temple is situated at the corner of Ahillyabai Holkar Bridge. In addition to many temples and religious places, Nashik also has Shri Kailas Math, one of the Vedas Schools in Nashik.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves: About 144kms from Shirdi are the world famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves. As the ancient repository of Indian architectural heritage, these caves are located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Ajanta and Ellora caves are the world heritage sites famous for the cave shrines that are cut out of rock, all by hand. There are 34 caves at Ellora and 29 caves at Ajanta. And all are sheer outstanding specimens of Indian architectural excellence.

Tips for Sai Devotees

Shirdi attracts thousands of pilgrims every day. Devotees as well as simple tourists looking for spiritual gateway throng this holy land of Shri Saibaba. With such a large number of people at this small place, mostly ignorant of the place and culture of the region, the devotees must know some of the tips when they are in Shirdi.

Shirdi attracts thousands of pilgrims every day. Devotees as well as simple tourists looking for spiritual gateway throng this holy land of Shri Saibaba.

The first 'darshan' of the day, resumes after the morning program of worship (Morning aarti, Mangal Snan, Shodashopachar ) at around 7am. During this Darshan you can make offerings.

Prior registration is mandatory before you make any offering at the temple. Each gift item must be registered in the Donation Office of the temple.

Devotees can donate cash either in the Donation Office (with due receipt) or put it directly into one of the donation boxes, placed at all important places of temple complex.

Photography of any kind still or moving is strictly prohibited during Mangal Snan (Holy bath) of Baba and Aartis (all four aartis). Devotees may take photographs during the hours of darshan only, for video recording a prior permission of the Temple-in-charge is a must.
There is by and large no restriction on darshan during the day in Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan and Nanda deep except a few minutes while attending to the dhuni or offering food to Shri Sai.

In Chawri ladies are not allowed to enter the section where Baba used to retire to sleep in old times.

The main temple (Samadhi Mandir) is open from 5am to 10.30pm, where as Dwarkamai masjid, Chawri, Gurusthan are closed around 8.30pm.

On the main day of celebrations on important occasions like Ram Navami, Dussehra, Guru purnima the temple is open throughout the night for darshan.

On every Thursday 'Palki' procession takes place at around 9.15 p.m. from Samadhi Mandir to Dwarkamai and then to Chawri.

All the priests and workers in the temples are employees of the Shirdi Sai Sansthan. Therefore, no gifts or donations should be offered to them.

Be cautious about the prices while taking the garland, coconut etc (as a package) from the nearby shops. You may avoid being overcharged by them.

Avoid the touts for getting an accommodation. It is advisable to approach any hotel/lodge directly. There is a wide choice of hotels/lodges in Shirdi, suiting the budget of all.

Help In Picking The Right Camp

By Lonnie Lorenz

So you are thinking about a Minnesota Summer Camp for your child. GREAT!
Here are the top 10 questions to ask a summer camp director. This list was compiled by the American Camp Association.

1. What's the camp's philosophy?
Is it one you're comfortable with? Is it a good match for your child? Is competition or cooperation emphasized? If it's a camp run by a religious organization, what religious observances or practices are part of the program? If you're looking at a sports camp that touts an affiliation with a celebrity athlete, how much time--if any--will the sports star actually spend there?

2. What does camp do with staff?
First aid training? Drug Testing? Do counselors have criminal background checks? What's the training all about?

3. What about return rates?
How many counselors are returning this year? The ACA says at most camps, 50 percent of the staff returns. If the number you're given is lower, ask why. How many campers return? Fifty percent is good, and more is better. Still looking for that perfect camp Check out this Summer Camps Minnesota

4. What's the ratio of counselors to campers?
ACA guidelines for overnight camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 7 and 8, 1:8 for ages 9-14; and 1:10 for ages 15-18. Day camp guidelines call for 1:8 for children ages 6-8; 1:10 for children ages 9-14; and 1:12 for ages 15-18.

5. What's the age of Staff ?
Eighty percent of the staff be 18 or older and that all staffers be at least 16 and a minimum of two years older than the campers they supervise.

6. Is a Nurse at hand?
The ACA recommends that an sleepaway camps have a physician or nurse on the site daily. If your camper has medications, food allergies or a medical condition, be sure you ask all your questions and are comfortable.

7. How does the camp handle conflicts and Discipline?
Find out what the camp's rules are and what breaches would result in a camper being sent home. You should be comfortable that the camp's practices are in line with your parenting practices.

8. What does a typical daily schedule look like?
This will help you decide if your child will be happy with the level of physical activity or the amount of time devoted to arts and crafts. Ask how much freedom a child has to choose activities.

9. Does the camp have vans for transportation?
How often are camp vehicles inspected? Who will be driving them and what's the training.

10. References,References, References
Most important, get the names of parents with children the same age who have attended the camp. They will tell you what makes camp so special

Still looking for that perfect camp Check out this Overnight Summer Camps

About the Author:

Swift Nature Camp is aSummer Youth Camps for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional summer camp activities with Science Summer Camp that increases a child's appreciation for nature, science and the environment.

Traveling From Port de La Savina

By Amistad Abaya

If you want to see some serious money floating in the water then Formentera's marina in the summer is the place to be. Alongside the standard ferries calling in at the port are some yachts that take your breath away. It is a far cry from the days when this natural harbor was used to export sabina pine.

Whether you are in Sant Antoni or Santa Eularia, you can get a ferry to La Savina. During the summer there are many ports that have boats departing for Formentera, including Palma, Barcelona, Altea, Alicante, and Denia. And there is also a boat between La Savina and Espalmador.

When you are in La Savina you will find that there is a decent collection of restaurants, cafes and tapas bars. With a nice modern marina to look out on it's worth chilling here for a bit. It is also a very practical village as you are able to hire and buy everything you might need for your stay on the island, from motorbikes to toilet paper. There is a tourist office on the dock, so just pop in and ask them for some help.

La Savina is next to Formentera's two salt water lakes: Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix. These sit just behind the port and are very easy to get to. You can cycle all around Estany Pudent and take in its rich wildlife which thrive in the wetlands that surround the lake. If lakes are not your thing then you can also head to the beaches of Es Trucadors.

Formentera's main resort of Es Pujols is where a through of people always head after arriving at La Savina. The warm, turquoise waters lap against white beaches and you can enjoy just about any water sport here, from diving to windsurfing. There is a local company Wet4Fun that rents equipment and gives lessons to beginners.

In the evenings Es Pujols turns into a lively network of market stalls along the promenade of Avenida Miramar and into the high street of Passeig des Plameres. The locals, some of whom are aging hippies, sell a lot of hand made goods.

About the Author:

When is comes to hotels formentera they can be hard to find. This site has some excellent details. See: http://www.squidoo.com/hotels-formentera

What Camping Equipment do you need?

By Suzanne Noctor

Are you looking for an outdoor activity that involves your whole family to help them get closer to each other? Then it is worth thinking about camping. However to ensure that the camping trips you go on as a family will be ones that all enjoy you must make sure you get the right kind of camping equipment. This is what will ensure that you are well protected when outdoors no matter what the weather is like and so ensuring that the first trip you take as a family will be a memorable one.

What particular items will need to be brought by you before you head off on a camping trip with your loved ones? In this article we take a look at three of the most important camping equipment items you will need.

1. Tent - Of all the items of equipment you will need when camping this is the most important of them all and you should be the first thing you buy. It is the place that not only will you sleep each night but also somewhere that you can go to should the weather turn bad. So make sure that the one you select is the type that will meet all your family's needs and offer enough space for everybody to sleep in it.

As there are so many different types of tents to choose from it can prove a challenge deciding which one is right for you. For those families that are going to be doing lots of walking the tent they select should be as light weight as possible and also doesn't take up too much space. The tents that you have to select from include the tunnel, dome, modified dome, teepee and freestanding kinds.

2. Sleeping Bag - This again is a very important piece of equipment for your camping trip and must be purchased before you go. There are certain things that you will need to take into consideration when making your purchases. The first of these being what material it has been made from. Although traditional style sleeping bags are made from wool and cotton they can prove to be bulky to carry so you are better off going for those using the latest high tech light weight materials instead. Just as with traditional sleeping bags these will provide a good level of insulation ensuring that your body's core temperature is maintained.

3. A Backpack/Rucksack - After you have chosen the tent and sleeping bag now you need to decide what of these you will be purchasing. When it comes to this particular item of camping equipment make sure that it is one that provides enough room for all those items you need to take with you on your trip but will be comfortable when being carried. Ideally look for those that come with shoulder straps that are well padded and wide so that they disperse the weight inside evenly preventing stress being placed on your body.

Also when buying this piece of camping equipment it is a good idea when in the store to try a number of different kinds out. Don't be afraid to ask the store to put in some items to give it some weight as this will help to determine if the straps sit well on your shoulders and so ensure that you don't feel uncomfortable when carrying it as you walk.

About the Author:

Craigdon Mountain Sports have outdoor sports shops based around Scotland as well as an online store where they sell all of their outdoor clothing, equipment and supplies. This includes their selection of walking shoes which come from a few good quality brands such as North Face and Berghaus.

Ireland Needs to Be On Your List Of Gay Destinations

By Howie Holben

Ireland has been good for gay vacations at least since the time of Oscar Wilde, although in those days it was not necessarily a friendly country for the LGBT community. Like Wilde, many people were jailed or sent away for hard labor for what was legally termed "indecency" and, until 1861, acts of sodomy were even punishable by death, but Ireland has come a long way since these dark days, decriminalizing same-sex sexual behavior in 1993 and legalizing civil unions in 2009.

While this does not mean that this largely Catholic country is ready to embrace same-sex relationships in every village - or even every city - Ireland is now far more welcoming and can safely be considered a great place for gay travel. Several larger cities, including Dublin, Galway, Cork and Waterford, have visible, active communities, community celebrations, numerous establishments catering or welcoming to the community and plenty of attractions to fill an entire vacation; however, whether travelers choose to participate in solo travel or gay tours, one should not miss the Irish countryside and quaint, traditional villages that dot the verdant landscape or sit atop breathtaking coastal cliffs during their vacation to Ireland as well.

While several larger cities now have annual community celebrations, pubs and clubs, community organizations and a visible LGBT scene, Dublin is unquestionably the center of LGBT life in Ireland and should be part of any gay travel plans to this country. Dublin nightlife offers both a casual pub scene and an upscale club scene complete with dress codes, which allows those on gay vacations to experience two very different aspects of local LGBT life. There are also a number of community festivals that take place throughout the year, including the Dublin International LGBTQ Pride Festival in June, the Dublin Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in July and the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival in May.

Regardless of which time of year you partake in gay travel to Ireland, there will be some sort of activities going on, which will be listed in GCN - Ireland's most-read community magazine - so, if you enjoy the scene, you will definitely want to pick up a copy when you get to town. Some of the attractions that you will not want to miss while in Dublin include the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Old Jameson Distillery, the Oscar Wilde House Museum and The George, which is Dublin's quintessential community bar.

Those planning gay travel tours may want to consider participating in a group gay tour. This is a great way to make sure you are able to enjoy many of the most intriguing natural, cultural and historical attractions this romantic country has to offer.

About the Author:

Spread about Ireland composed by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys produces gay getaways for gay travel groups and singles.

Patio Furniture Replacement Cushions | Creating A Brand New Patio Furniture Set Design And Style

By Andrea Newport

Patio furniture replacement cushions is one of the easiest ways to make a great fresh change in the overall look to your patio furniture. We all need a change every now and then. This is the easiest way every summer to make a switch from your old cushions and add a new courageous look and sense of style for this years patio decor.

You could make an exciting change by getting some new patio seat set cushions. There is a nearly limitless variety of different colors, sizes and styles of patio furniture replacement cushions to choose from.

While you might just want to give your patio furniture a facelift, there are other reasons which you may want to replace your patio furniture cushions. For instance, these cushions will eventually become soiled or damaged from exposure. However, if your cushions have just gotten dirty, then you can have your patio furniture cushions cleaned rather than getting an all new set of cushions.

However, there are reasons other than visual appeal to change the cushions on your patio furniture. Exposure to the elements wears cushions down and you will likely find yourself in search of patio furniture replacement cushions eventually. If your cushions have simply become soiled, then you may be able to just have your cushions cleaned instead of replacing them.

You may be one of those people that love to decorate depending on the type of season or with each new holiday that arrives. Patio furniture replacement cushions are a great way that will allow you to show your holiday cheer with the changing of seasons.

With new changing experiences the different seasons offer an exhilarating sense of things to come. When it comes to decorating for the holidays, you will discover that there are prints that are full of style and design that are available for your outdoor seat cushions.

No matter what holiday you're interested in decorating your home for, there are patio cushions which are ideally suited for the purpose.

Patio furniture replacement cushions can fit into anybody's budget because they are affordable and very easy to find. If you're in the market to find and purchase these types of patio set seat cushions that are designed for the more fashion or even the different seasons and holidays, then your best choice is doing more research on informational sites on the Internet.

The internet is an especially convenient way to shop for patio furniture cushions, since there are many different places to purchase these cushions from and the lower overhead of e-commerce sites often allows them to offer lower prices.

Changing the patio cushions you have now is just one way that you will be able to create a new look and feel for your patio area, along without compromising on the comfort and style.

About the Author:

creativeoutdoorfurniture.com is your first place to look for information and resources for Patio Furniture Replacement Cushions, Patio furniture accessories, Patio Furniture Sets and everything you are looking for to create a great outdoor experience for all your friends and family to enjoy.

Aluminum Patio Furniture | Style, Design In A Durable Patio Furniture Set

By Andrea Newport

Consider aluminum patio furniture if you want deck furniture that has a lot of great advantages. If you are shopping for new patio furniture, you will not just be buying ordinary deck furniture when you buy aluminum patio furniture. Instead, you will be buying outdoor decor that offers outstanding quality and features. Almost everyone looking for high quality patio furniture wants a set that will give them the most features for the price.

What type of features depends on the manufacturer, these features come in a variety of different choices for each and every person. Let us start with their ability, light weight and style. You will be pleased to know that it is very easy to discover these three special features with a aluminum patio furniture set.

Aluminum patio furniture is created so that they will be able to withstand the weather elements of being outside, which in turns you'll find that this style of outdoor patio furniture is very durable. They have the ability to withstand the rain, cold and heat. You will find that overall this durability will be very important on your decision on what specific type of material that you want your patio furniture to be.

Weather creates a harsh environment for patio furniture and adds to the wear and tear it endures. Because of its ability to withstand the weather, you will find that most people prefer aluminum furniture when they are selecting outdoor furniture. It has the durability to last a lifetime.

In most cases there is only one real thing that you will find that will need to be protected on an ongoing basis is the patio cushions that you have. Cushions and covers can be very delicate and will not be as durable as the actual furniture that you have chosen.

Cast aluminum patio furniture is extremely lightweight and this is a great bonus that you get with this type of outdoor furniture. The ability to easily move your patio furniture around your deck is very important because from time to time you might decide to change its look and position.

There are a few reasons that might cause you to want to do this. You might want to add some additional furniture, or you might want to change your patio's appearance. No matter why you want to move it, however, you'll be able to do it quite easily whenever you choose.

Style and design are two more advantages of aluminum patio furniture sets. This type of deck furniture is very easy to find and is available in a number of different designs. At least one of those designs will surely suit your particular taste.

The large number of styles will let you match your cast aluminum patio furniture with the surroundings of your deck area. You will also be able to choose the perfect set of cushions, which is a nice additional bonus.

Deciding to buy aluminum patio furniture has a variety of advantages that you can benefit from. The furniture will bring beauty and style to the overall decor of your deck area. Your patio is one of your primary places for entertaining. You will be able to invite your friends over for a great barbecue and get together with you and your family members. Your patio should be a comfortable, relaxing place that everyone enjoys.

About the Author:

Everyone here at creativeoutdoorfurniture.com would like to assist you with Resources and information for Aluminum Patio Furniture, patio furniture umbrellas, Patio Furniture Sets which will allow you to make a great decision on your Patio furniture decor this season.