The renovation of the first meditation cave has been completed in Kedarnath and pilgrims can soon use the chamber for meditation. The cave located in the western side and behind the main shrine has been modified in the traditional hill architectural style with cut stone in the front and slate stone as the roof. The beautification work was more focused on outdoor work and creating additional facilities inside the chamber.
The cave had caught the attention of Uttarakhand chief secretary Utpal Kumar during his visit to Kedarnath in Ruderprayag district in March this year. He asked the Jindal Group, doing projects under CSR, to link the cave to a toilet. The small cave can comfortably accommodate three persons.
Fitted with an attached toilet, the cave is all set to woo tourists. Uttarkashi-based Nehru Institute of Mountaineering is conducting restoring work in Kedarnath and did the design and execution work for the Jindal Group.
The reconstruction team’s architect Krishan Kuriyal said, “This was a unique project. We have provided the cave a new look. Earlier cement and stone was used for creating the outside wall. We have replaced it with cut stone wall and have created an attached toilet.”
The move is to develop about half a dozen caves in Kedarnath. The restored cave was used by Sadhus during their stay in Kedarnath. But now efforts are being made to develop such chambers for pilgrims and spiritual leaders who are interested in meditating in the cave.