Chorabari Glacier

The Chorabari Glacier is a prominent glacial formation located in the Kedarnath region of Uttarakhand, situated between the Kedarnath summit and the town below. It feeds the Mandakini River system and was historically associated with the Chorabari Lake (Gandhi Sarovar), which breached in 2013. The glacier remains a significant natural landmark for trekkers and pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath Temple, offering high-altitude Himalayan views and insights into glacial geography.

Visitors can expect a challenging high-altitude trek through rugged terrain to reach the glacier snout and the former site of Chorabari Lake. The area features boulder-strewn flats, small rivulets from melting ice, and panoramic views of surrounding peaks like Kirti Stambh. The environment is remote and alpine, with rapidly changing weather conditions requiring proper preparation and physical fitness.

The glacier and its associated lake were central to the catastrophic June 2013 Kedarnath floods when the moraine dam burst. The lake was also historically known as Gandhi Sarovar after Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed there in 1948.

The site holds religious significance as part of the Kedarnath pilgrimage circuit. Mythology associates the area with Lord Shiva imparting yoga knowledge to the Saptarishis.