Rahul Gandhi's Kedarnath visit: 'Didn't ask for anything, felt spiritual strength'

New Delhi, April 23: After returning from a 56-day sabbatical, now Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is undertaking a yatra to Kedarnath.

Rahul Gandhi began his trek 18 kms up into the Uttarkhand mountains to pay obeisance at the temple which faced the brunt of flash-floods two years ago and has since been spruced up.

As per a Zeenews report, speaking to reporters, Rahul Gandhi said, "I have come here to pay respects to those who lost their lives in the 2013 tragedy."

"I did not ask for anything, but I felt immense power," Congress VP said as per the report, when asked if he is seeking divine intervention to boost his political career.

The 45-year-old Congress leader arrived in Uttarakhand on Thursday and started his yatra from Gauri Kund along with a number of political leaders and others, sources said.

As per ANI report, he is being accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Congress leader Ambika Soni and they left for Gaurikund by a chopper.

He will stay overnight en route to Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand and pay obeisance the day after at 8.30 AM, when it is opened for pujas, the sources said.

The sources said Rahul was undertaking the yatra because of his "personal belief" and specifically chose to trek up the distance of 18 kms.

Kedarnath, the most remote of the four Char Dham sites, is situated in the Himalayas, about 11,755 ft above sea level near Chorabari Glacier, the head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by snow-capped peaks.

It bore the brunt of flash floods in June 2013 and was subsequently spruced up. Rahul, who returned here from a 57-day sabbatical last week, has got politically active, particularly in Parliament where he raised the issue of farmers yesterday and net neutrality today.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)