Private Project

Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens

(World Premiere) An epic journey to the perennially snow capped Himalayan peaks of Kedarnath- one of the Holiest places in the world for Hindus. The ancient land was completely wiped out in the North Indian Flash Floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people, many presumed dead and missing.

The rare film showcases the magical land as it was before the floods destroyed the place beyond recognition.

With a strong subjective narrative & cinematography, the film takes the viewer, subjectively, first hand, to trace the journey of a family undertaking the treacherous trek to Kedarnath and nearby villages, just months before the disaster. The movie is the LAST and the ONLY comprehensive documentation of Kedarnath, the trek to the temple, and the surrounding villages – their ancient temples and archaeological sites, legends and stories as they were before the floods devastated entire villages and settlements, wiping them out completely.

The film showcases the colourful cultures of the remotest villages of Uttarakhand, which, despite being very ancient and important from the religious point of view, are yet unexplored and lie neglected by the tourists. The film, thus seeks to “Explore The Unexplored”, bringing these amazing places before the whole world.

As the incredible journey to Kedarnath unfolds, the travellers uncover the deepest, hidden, underlying truth that forms the very essence of our ordinary lives. Thus transformed with the learning of a lifetime, the travellers witness Kedarnath in this life changing journey to the ultimate paradise.

  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Director
    Sariska: A Reserve Reborn, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna
  • Vidhu Rashmi
    Writer
    Unforgettable Himachal, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored
  • Ajay Jain
    Producer
    Sariska: A Reserve Reborn, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored
  • Ajay Jain
    Key Cast
    Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Unforgettable Himachal
  • Vidhu Rashmi
    Key Cast
    Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Unforgettable Himachal
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Key Cast
    Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Unforgettable Himachal
  • Jhankriti
    Key Cast
    Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Unforgettable Himachal
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Editor
    Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Cinematography
    Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna
  • Rituraj Devaang Jain
    Sound Design
    Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna
  • Jhankriti
    Cinematic Colour Direction
    Jambudweep: A Journey through Incredible India, Bharat Darshan: Exploring the Unexplored, Tal Chappar: The Indian Savanna
  • Subha Pindiproli
    Music
  • Singers of the Art of Living Foundation
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Feature
  • Genres:
    Heritage, Archaeology, History, Documentary, Experimental, Travel, Tourism, Hinduism, Adventure
  • Runtime:
    2 hours 29 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 14, 2016
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, FullHD 1080p- fullframe
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • WIND International Film Festival
    Hollywood, Los Angeles
    United States
    Top 5 Final Nominee- Best Feature Documentary Film
  • IndieWise International Film Festival-2016

    Official Selection
  • IndieBoost International Film Festival

    Finalist
Director Biography - Rituraj Devaang Jain

Rituraj Devaang Jain is the only ‘OUTSTANDING’ recognized Filmmaker- TV Producer in India by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

An Archaeology, Arts, Heritage & Travel- Filmmaker, he is empanelled with the Broadcasting Corporation of India- the Prasar Bharti (Doordarshan) and has filmed 117+ TV Show episodes for Indian National Television- Doordarshan, being one of India’s youngest TV Producers.

A B.Tech. from the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT Jaipur), Rituraj gave up his well paying corporate profile to help conserve India’s glorious heritage through his works.

He has produced archaeological & cultural research films for the Archaeological Survey of India- India's apex archaeological organization.

His films have been recognized as some of the best on Indian heritage and culture, and have been awarded and screened at the World’s premier International Film Festivals.

The Founder-Director of his organization, Sukhnidhey Films, his works have been recognized by the National Geographic, the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, Wildlife Trust of India, etc.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“Conquering Kedarnath: Hiking to the Heavens” is the last & only comprehensive film on the region. A rare, first-hand journey to Kedarnath- as it was before the devastating 2013 floods. As the incredible journey unfolds, the travellers uncover the deepest, hidden, underlying truth that forms the very essence of our ordinary lives. Thus transformed with the learning of a lifetime, the travellers witness Kedarnath in this life changing journey to the ultimate paradise.