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Panch Kedar trek is one of the best ways of getting
a quick preview of the Garhwal Himalaya. The Garhwal
Himalaya contain some of the highest peaks in
India, viz. Nanda Devi (7817m), Trishul (7120m)
and Chaukhamba (7138m). It is the source of the
great Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
The Panch Kedar trek includes all the five shrines
associated with the Hindu legends. All of them
are situated in the Kedar Valley. At Kedarnath,
which is situated at the head of the Mandakini
River, the Linga is a natural rock that resembles
the hump of a bull. Madhmaheshwar, situated
at the base of Chaukhamba Peak is at an altitude
of 3500 m. Here the Linga is worshipped in the
form of a navel. Tungnath, where tha arm of
Shiva appeared is the highest temple in Garhwal
is situated at an altitude of 3810 m. 500 m
above the temple at Tungnath is Chandrashila.
Cradled in these very Garhwal Himalaya's ranges
are five of Hinduism's most important temples,
popularly known as the Panch Kedar, viz.
1. Kedarnath (3584 m)
2. Madhmaheshwar (3289 m)
3. Tungnath (3810 m)
4. Rudranath (2286 m)
5. Kalpanath (2134 m),
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