The start your holy journey is from Dehradun 
Well, as soon as you reach Dehradun, your pilgrimage begins.  Dehradun is filled with nature, historic spiritual connections and the gateway to holiness. When  you are here, we recommend that you visit some ancient temples, renowned educational institutions, and training centers. Dehradun has been recorded  in the holy hindu scriptures too in Ramayana and Mahabharta. There is mythological history related to the sage Drona, who trained the Pandavas at his ashram here and that's how the valley received its name Drona's Doon. as you walk down the lanes of Dehradun, you will be able to witness the unique point of the city, that is the preserved traditions with  modern touch.  Lets say, just for an example sage’s forest retreat or colonial infrastructure and much more.  It has been beautiful no matter what name it has been called or what purpose it served, Dehradun has been beautiful throughout its entire history. 

And, Dehradun is the home to one of the ancient temples, named as Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple is inside a cave where a natural spring falls on a naturally created Shivalinga dating back before any records have been kept. Many devotees and pilgrims have shared that this is the best place to start the holy journey that is by offering prayers. As you enter this ancient temple you will sense a very unique environment. You will feel sacred, and you will be able to open your heart to  converse with Lord Shiva. This is right before you actually experience Kedarnath. Apart from this, we would also like to recommend that, if your time allows you to visit a forest research institute, it will prepare your heart and mind for the next day. Also, there is quite an interesting fact. The Forest Research Institute related architecture is a mixture of 3 different traditions. You can see the Mughal, Hindu, and European Gothic architectural styles, which together form an amazing and unique looking building.  This exceptional infrastructure has served as a site for location filming for various Bollywood movies. Not only that,   it has been recognized as one of the premier examples of the Indo-Saxonic architectural style in India. We highly recommend that you should take a walk during the golden hour. You may be able to carefully see the grounds of this structure, the size and age of the existing trees create a unique form of silence to prepare oneself for a trek up to the mountains. 

The Drive to Sirsi through Mandakini Valley
The drive starts in the morning, from Dehradun to Sirsi which is approximately  5- 6 hours through Gharwal hills in the Himalayas. As you drive, you will come across Rishikesh is known as 'Yoga Capital of the World' for many reasons, including the jade-green river Ganga flowing through it, the setting of Rishikesh on both banks and the many ancient ashrams here. Rishikesh is known for ancient ashrams, jungles, caves along both banks of Ganga. You will get to see the holy confluence of the two rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. Devprayag is one of the revered sites. And it is believed that this is where Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have composed proportions of his great philosophical theories and commentaries. This confluence highlights how  rivers of different colours blend together ultimately creating River Ganga. It has a history of having been holy ground for thousands of years. And then through Rudraprayag the point at which Alaknanda joins with Mandakini, another holy river associated with Lord Shiva.  It signifies that at Rudraprayag, the road continues to follow the river coming from the very feet of the deity you will be travelling to visit. This period of travel continues to the town named after a sage, Agastmuni and Tilwara. Words will fall short, to describe its beauty. with the Mandakini River flowing into an increasingly majestic valley, with the Himalayas continuing to hold their impressive height, gradually revealing themselves to the traveller as they progress along this route and an increasingly impressive view is offered every kilometer of travel along this route.

Sirsi, the Helipad 
The Sirsi Helipad is located at an elevation of 1800- 2000 meters.  As you reach here, you will feel the air getting chillier and thinner. From here, you will get a glimpse of the mighty Snow capped kedarnath peaks. The helicopter ride from Sirsi to Kedarnath is approximately around 15- 20 minutes. Sirsi is one of the main helicopter hubs for Kedarnath pilgrimages and hundreds of pilgrims are flown to Kedarnath every day during peak season. The Sirsi helicopter experience is one that has often been described as quite easy, smooth and scenic. We thank the operations team that they understand the importance of this holy journey that  will be carrying something sacred.

Kedarnath, the final Revelation
From the helipad, Kedarnath is just 500 meters. And it is also known to be one the shortest distance. As you land, you can feel the sense of peace rushing to your veins. Actually, this is the ultimate moment you have been waiting for. You have been longing for the divine moment your entire life. Not only that, from here you will be able to clearly see the Chorabari Glacier. Not only that, but also the three major peaks Kedarnath (6,940 m), Kedar Dome (6,831 m), and Chaukhamba (7,138 m). Downwards,  you will be mesmerised to see the Mandakini river. 

At Kedarnath temple you will be able to witness one of the 12 jyotirlingas, that is Kedarnath Jyotirlinga. Offer your prayers in the inner sanctum. You will also get to see “Akhand Jyoti” . It is known as eternal flame in the inner sanctum. It has a very interesting fact related to it. Akhand jyoti is burning continuously for more than six months with no human intervention. Every year, the temple doors open in the month of May.  This process is repeated every year. Thousands of people come to see the Akhand Jyoti during its first visiting time after opening in May.