Kedarnath's Original Trek Route Reopens After Devastation

The historic 15.3km trekking route to Kedarnath via Garud Chatti, rendered unusable by the catastrophic 2013 flash floods, is slated for reopening in the upcoming yatra season. This restored path is notably shorter than the existing 16.3km route that bypasses Garud Chatti via Lincholi. Officials are finalizing essential utilities such as drinking water and toilets along the Garud Chatti trail.

The original route, once the primary access to the Kedarnath shrine, suffered extensive damage, with key segments washed away. The administration is considering designating the Garud Chatti path exclusively for foot traffic, while ponies will be directed to the wider Lincholi trail. Reconstruction efforts, undertaken by the public works department and disaster management authorities, have focused on rebuilding damaged segments, including a crucial bridge at Rambada.

This reopening offers pilgrims an alternative to the current route. The Rambada-Kedarnath stretch has seen a slight increase in distance due to realignment, now measuring 8.6 km instead of the previous 7 km. While Badrinath Dham's opening date is announced, Kedarnath's will be declared on Mahashivratri. The 2013 floods caused widespread devastation, with the Rambada region being one of the most severely impacted.