Despite Government claims, the pilgrimage to Kedarnath has not been made convenient by the authorities. A road marked by large potholes, long queues at the registration centre and other problems are still preventing the pilgrims from reaching Kedarnath conveniently. Even though, the devotees of Shiva consider themselves blessed on worshipping him at the Kedarnath shrine.
Reaching Sonprayag via Rudraprayag and Guptkashi, this correspondent reached the biometric registration centre where pilgrims standing in a queue said that they had been in the line since 4 am. The pilgrims complained that they were forced to wait for hours due to a power cut. There was also a long queue of pilgrims seeking medical fitness certificates. With only one doctor posted here, about 10 persons were being checked in one hour. About five kilometres from Sonprayag, only a handful of shops have been opened at Gaurikund whereas in the past this halt on the route to Kedarnath used to bustle with activity before disaster struck in June last year.
labourers can be seen working on protection works near the river. The labourers at Rambada said that while working in the area they uncover skeletons at times or end up getting their hands on a human bone while moving the dug up earth material with their hands. The authorities have established a base camp at linchauli where pilgrims are provided shelter and food by the Government. One has to cover a steep climb from linchauli to reach the Kedarnath temple. On reaching Kedarnath, the sight reminds the visitor of the disaster that wreaked havoc and killed thousands last year. The damaged buildings around the shrine are still filled with debris. In past years before the June 2013 disaster, this settlement used to be bustling with life but now one is greeted by ruins that speak of the power of nature. Damaged buildings with tilted walls and broken constructions, flattened utensils, broken furniture and other remnants remind the visitor of the disaster. Facing hardships on the way, being greeted by ruins, the devotees of Shiva reaching Kedarnath still consider themselves fortunate for having reached this shrine.