Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

4.6

Location: P3P8+CGX, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand 246445, India.

Estimated Visiting Time: 2-3 hours approximately.

Near the Kedarnath Temple, the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi is approximately 600 meters away and accessible on foot. Because the hike to the Samadhi might be strenuous, visitors are encouraged to pack water, snacks, and good walking shoes. There is a little garden surrounding the black stone Samadhi. The beautiful and calm surroundings of the Samadhi provide a quiet space for reflection and meditation. He chose to achieve moksha (escape from the body) at Kedarnath at 32, merging beneath the ground close to the temple. This is why the location is known as Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Place.

Attraction

It is thought that Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi achieved emancipation at the hallowed site of the samadhi. In Hinduism, Kedarnath is a destination of great spiritual significance, where pilgrims come to pay their obeisance. Kedarnath’s tranquil settings and stunning natural surroundings further contribute to its attraction for tourists and spiritual seekers. In this place, one can find mental peace, so it attracts tourists who are in search of mental peace.

History

Renowned scholar and saint Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi founded four sacred Mathas in India. History claims that he traveled far and wide to spread the Advaita Philosophy. It is believed that in the eighth century AD, Adi Shankaracharya constructed the present-day Kedarnath shrine. After constructing four sacred Mathas, Shankaracharya attained Nirvana at this site when he was 32 years old. It was once a very modest temple, but in 2006, Shankaracharya of Dwarka and Jyothir Peeth reconstructed the complete Samadhi structure, the figure of Shankaracharya, and the spatika lingam. In essence, a spatula lingam is a trigonal crystal composed of two parts oxygen and one part silicon. It eliminates all curses and lousy karma and has enigmatic healing abilities. The temple and Samadhi disappeared in the 2013 Flash Floods.

Inside/Outside Views

The samadhi is a modest stone building close to the Kedarnath shrine. For adherents of Advaita Vedanta, it is a site of profound devotion dedicated to the renowned spiritual teacher and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. The idol or image of Adi Shankaracharya that is usually found inside the samadhi is the subject of prayers and adoration from devotees. It is encircled by tranquil natural beauty outside, with the Himalayas’ lofty peaks as a striking background. Often, devotees come to this hallowed location to offer their condolences and find spiritual comfort.

Opening Hours

Always open.

Entry & Others Fees

There is no entry fee.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport, which is 238 kilometers away, approximately [a 7-hour drive]. Jolly Grant Airport offers daily flights and is well-connected to Delhi. Motorable roads link the airport and Gaurikund. Taxis to Gaurikund are available from Jolly Grant Airport.

By Rail: Rishikesh is the closest train station to Kedarnath. On NH58, the Rishikesh train station is located 216 miles before Kedarnath. Railway networks connect important Indian locations with Rishikesh. Trains run often to get to Rishikesh. Motorable roads provide good connectivity between Gaurikund and Rishikesh. There are plenty of taxis and buses that go from Rishikesh to Gaurikund.

By Road: The 14km easy hike begins in Gaurikund, where the road to Kedarnath stops. Roads suitable for motor vehicles connect Gaurikund to essential locations in Uttarakhand and the northern regions of India. Buses to Rishikesh and Srinagar are accessible from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. From major Uttarakhand cities like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pathi, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Srinagar, Chamoli, etc., buses and taxis to Gaurikund are readily available. National Highway 109 connects Kedarnath and Rudraprayag and passes through Gaurikurnd.