Located in the laps of the pristine Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath is one of the holiest Shiva temples in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Due to the immense importance of this temple in Hinduism, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit this temple every year. They believe that coming to this sacred temple will liberate them from mundane pleasures and offer them a greater scope to witness the divine form of Shiva, one of the figures of the Hindu Trinity. Traveling by train can be the most affordable yet convenient way of going to Kedarnath from Kolkata. But if you are worried about How To Go To Kedarnath From Kolkata By Train then grab a cup of coffee and follow this article.
It is not difficult to reach Kedarnath from other parts of India, especially a metro city like Kolkata. Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is well connected with other parts of India through various mediums of transport. However, there are no direct trains available from Kolkata to Kedarnath because there is no railway station in Kedarnath.
Haridwar (123 km), Dehradun (221 km), and Rishikesh (223 km) are the closet railway stations of Kedarnath. If you are planning to make a trip to Kedarnath from Kolkata, then the best way is to access Howrah Station. From here, you can board many express trains that go to the above-mentioned three destinations on a regular basis.
Trains from kolkata to (near) Kedarnath
The Doon Express that goes to Dehradun usually departs from Howrah station at 8:30 pm. It takes an average of 30 hours for this train to reach Haridwar Junction. From here you can get on a shared taxi or bus to reach Gaurikund. You can also get down at the final station Dehradun and take a bus or taxi from there. However, Haridwar is an easier option for traveling to Kedarnath. The distance between Kedarnath and Gaurikund is 16 km. People usually trek this steep path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath or take the help of porters.
The Upasana Express that usually leaves Howrah Station on Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:10 pm arrives at Haridwar after around 28 hours. Then you can board a bus or taxi from there to reach Gaurikund and trek to Kedarnath.
You can also book your seat in the Kumbha Express that runs from Howrah to Haridwar regularly except Friday and Tuesday. The departing time of this train from Howrah is 1:10 pm. This train also averagely spends 29 hours to reach Haridwar.
If you board HW Puja Special train from Howrah Station, then you can reach Haridwar Junction within 28 hours. The train departs from Howrah Station only on Tuesdays at 11:00 pm.
You can also take these trains from Haridwar Station while coming back to Kolkata from Kedarnath according to your preferable days. The cost of traveling on these trains also vary based on your choice of compartments and seats.
FAQ About Kedarnath Journey
Trains such as Upsana Express, Doon Express, Kumbha Express, HW Puja Special Express are available from Howrah Station. These trains go to the closest railway station of Kedarnath, Haridwar. Taxi and bus services are active in Haridwar that can take you Gaurikund. Then you can trek to Kedarnath temple from Gaurikund.
After reaching Hardwar, you can take a bike from there to reach Gaurikand. However, you have to trek the distance of 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath with other pilgrims.
You can go to the Kedarnath temple from Dehradun on Helicopter for a limited period in the day.
Every year, numerous tourists and pilgrims visit Kedarnath so it is usually a safe place for traveling. You should be careful about your belongings while being in crowded places on your trip. Also, you should avoid going to Kedarnath during monsoon as there are high risks of landslides.
The ideal time to visit the holy Shiva temple of Kedarnath is from May to June and September to October. The temple remains closed during the winter months (November- April) due to massive snowfall in this region of the Himalayas.
A visit to Kedarnath is a lifetime of experience to cherish not only because of its religious significance but also because of the unmatchable natural beauty of the Kedarnath Valley. So, in case you are going to Kedarnath from Kolkata, make sure to do an advance booking in train for a comfortable and budget-friendly journey.
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