Kedarnath is a remote town on the banks of the Mandakini River in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the Garhwal Mountains in the Himalayas, the region is renowned for its natural beauty and trekking routes.
The town is most well known for the Kedarnath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism who is regarded as ‘the destroyer’ in the primary trinity of the religion. In Shaivism (a sect of Hinduism that regards Lord Shiva as the supreme deity), Lord Shiva takes on aspects of creation, transformation, and protection. The temple, which is said to have been constructed in the 8th century, is part of several pilgrimage routes and is visited by over a million devotees yearly. Trekking is one of the most common ways to reach this temple. The breathtaking route meanders through Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which boasts verdant forests with rhododendron, deodar, and oak trees.
Continue reading for a complete guide to the holy Kedarnath Temple and tips on the top places to stay.
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What is the significance of Kedarnath?
Thought to have been built in 8th century, Kedarnath Temple is situated up in the Himalayas. Due to the region’s altitude and extreme climatic conditions, the temple is only open for six months a year, closing in the winter.
While the dates vary each year, the temple usually opens towards the end of April, (though the dates are decided according to the Hindu Calendar) and closes two days after the Hindu festival of Diwali (the festival of lights, popularly commemorating Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya). This year the temple is open from April 25, 2023 to November 14, 2023. It is estimated that the town has a population of just 612 individuals and even they evacuate the town during the harsh winter season.
Who is the temple dedicated to?
The Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is an important stop on several pilgrimage routes. The story of how the temple came to be is quite interesting and the legends connect to the events of Mahabharata, an ancient Hindu epic that focuses on events arising out of the animosity between two rival groups, the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Legends surrounding the temple center around how the Pandavas yearned to be absolved for the sins of war by Lord Shiva, but the god kept evading them. Eventually, Shiva fled to Kedarnath in the form of a bull, but the Pandavas did not relent in their pursuit, and the Lord dove right into the ground to escape. However, His hump stayed above the ground in Kedarnath, and the hump is what is said to be worshipped today as the lingam (a symbolic and sacred representation of Lord Shiva in stone), which is housed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Despite the harsh weather conditions of the area, the lingam, which has a unique pyramidical shape, has stood the test of time.
Why is it a popular pilgrimage site?
What makes Kedarnath Temple unique is that it is one of the only 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India. Jyotirlinga translates as the lingam of light, and it is associated with the manifestation of Lord Shiva as an infinite pillar of divine light. Hindus try to visit the Jyotirlinga temples at least once in their lifetime. While Shiva temples usually worship Him in the symbolic form of lingam, which is constructed out of stone, Jyotirlinga temples are special as the lingams here are said to have created themselves.
Kedarnath Temple is also part of the Chota Char Dham (a term distinguishing it from the important Char Dham pilgrimage) pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayas. It is believed that visiting the four Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath will help one achieve salvation and release one from the continuous cycle of life and death.
The temple is also a part of the Panch Kedar Yatra, a pilgrimage circuit that involves five important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located within the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is believed that when Lord Shiva dove into the ground to escape the Pandavas, parts of Him manifested in each of the shrine locations. According to legends, it was the Pandavas themselves who constructed the temples to venerate these body parts, which are regarded as the lingams housed in these shrines.
What are the customs and rituals followed at the temple?
A day at Kedarnath begins at 4 am with a private Maha Abhishek pooja and Rudra Abhishek pooja, done to rid the premises of negativity and spread purity. The temple doors open to the public by 6 am. There is a small break from 3 pm to 5 pm, after which the deity is dressed in an emperor costume. Devotees arriving before 3 pm are allowed to touch the idol and offer Abhishek (a ritual bath) with ghee (clarified butter). However, post 5 pm visitors are only allowed to seek blessings from a distance.
The temple doors close for the day at 7 pm with the Shayan aarti. It is also possible for devotees to book a special prayer in their name which can be performed during their visit to the temple. Online booking for the prayer needs to be done in advance.
How do you trek to Kedarnath?
The visit to Kedarnath is referred to as a yatra (translating as ‘journey’), both in the spiritual and literal sense. The temple lies within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of about 3500 m (11,482.94 ft). The 18 km (11.18 mi) trek begins from the town of Gaurikund where the motorable road comes to an end.
However, private cars and even buses are not allowed to enter Gaurikund. Visitors arriving via cars are only allowed to drive until Sonprayag, where there is a public car park that you can avail for nominal charges. The last bus stop is also at Sonprayag. The town is a little over 5 km (3.11 mi) from Gaurikund, and shared taxis are a great way to get to Gaurikund from Sonprayag.
The trek route
The trek to Kedarnath is a moderate to difficult one and requires a basic level of fitness. The trek route opens at 4 am from Gaurikund, and pilgrims aren’t allowed to begin the trek after 1:30 pm. Visitors are also asked to begin their return journey from the temple by 5 pm. It is recommended that you begin the trek before sunrise when the air is cooler and give yourself enough time to explore along the route as well as at the temple site. Pilgrims have the option of taking an overnight break in simple accommodations along the route.
The trek begins from the base town of Gaurikund from where it is 6 km (3.73 mi) to Jangle Chatti, the first stop. From there, a 4-km (2.49-mi) trek takes you to Bheembali and another 3-km (1.86-mi) trek gets you to Linchauli. You need to trek 4 km (2.49 mi) more to reach the Kedarnath Base Camp, after which it is only 1 km (0.62 mi) to the holy Kedarnath Temple. It takes anywhere between six to eight hours to complete the trek.
Basic hut and tent accommodations are available at Jungle Chatti, Bheembali, and Linchauli.
Things to carry
Before you leave for the trek, make sure to undergo a physical examination to ensure that you are in the best health to participate in the high-altitude trek. Ensure that you carry adequate sweaters and jackets for cool nights and a good pair of trekking shoes. Also, remember to pack a poncho or a rain jacket for unpredictable rain spells. Carry dry fruits, cookies, water, and some basic medicines in a small backpack for the trek. If you think you might experience breathing difficulties, you can even carry portable oxygen canisters.
Other travel options
If you wish to pay your respects at Kedarnath Temple but might have difficulty completing the trek, there are plenty of other options. Pilgrims can opt for palanquins or pony rides for one-way or roundtrip transfers from Gaurikund. These ply on the regular trekking route and prices vary depending on weight.
Another favored option is a helicopter ride, available from the towns of Sersi, Phata, and Guptakashi, all of which are located before Sonprayag. The helicopter rides need to be booked in advance from the official website of IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation).
What is the best way to reach Kedarnath?
Kedarnath is a remote mountain town with no motorable roads. But with hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting it yearly, accessing the town has been made relatively easy.
By air
The closest airport is the Jolly Grant International Airport in the state capital Dehradun, which is well connected to all major cities in India. From here, you can hire a cab to cover the 222-km (137.94-mi) drive to Sonprayag. You can also opt for a helicopter ride directly to Kedarnath. A hard copy of the ticket, Aadhar card or ID proof, biometric registration, and a medical exam are required prior to boarding the helicopter. Helicopters to Kedarnath are available in the towns of Guptakasi, Phata, and Sersi.
By rail
The closest railway station is in Rishikesh, a city 205 km (127.38 mi) from Sonprayag. From Rishikesh, visitors can board a bus to reach Sonprayag, the last bus stop. Cabs and shared jeeps are also readily available to ferry tourists to Sonprayag or even Gaurikund.
By road
It is possible to drive your own vehicle up to Sonprayag, where you can park your vehicle either at your hotel or at the public parking lot. You can then board a private or shared cab to complete the 20-minute journey to Gaurikund. Frequent bus services to Sonprayag are available from Delhi, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
Permits, bookings, and registration
To visit the temple, pilgrims need to register themselves on the official website. After you register, you need to pick a date for your visit to the temple and you are then provided a pass. The procedure was implemented by the government to ensure that no more than 13,000 pilgrims visit the temple daily. This helps to protect the fragile ecosystem as well as provide adequate essential services to the pilgrims.
Those who wish to journey to the temple on foot, need to make their way to Gaurikund on or before the day of the trek. However, if you wish to cover the journey by helicopter, make sure to book your accommodations closer to Guptakasi, Phata, or Sersi.
Must-visit attractions in and around Kedarnath
The trek to Kedarnath Temple is steep and moderately difficult but the surrounding natural beauty makes it worthwhile. Pilgrims can rest at each stop along the route as they climb toward the temple. Once you reach the town, first pay your respects at the temple before exploring some other wonderful sites.
Bhairavnath Temple
Located about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from Kedarnath Temple, Bhairavnath Temple can be visited during your return to Gaurikund. The open shrine is dedicated to Baba Bhairavnath, a fearsome aspect of Lord Shiva. It is the most popular attraction after the Kedarnath Temple in the area, and the deity here is considered to be the guardian of the temple and the surrounding valley during the winter months. A Kedarnath yatra is only considered complete if this temple is also visited.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
Just behind the Kedarnath Temple is the memorial of Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher and saint from the 8th century. He is credited for consolidating the theories and studies of Hinduism into what is followed today. He achieved enlightenment at the age of 32.
Rudra Cave
Rudra Cave is situated 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the Kedarnath Temple. The small meditation cave was established in 2018 by the Nehru Mountaineering Institute. Visitors can make a booking to meditate as well as to stay overnight.
Where to stay when visiting Kedarnath?
Top hotels near Kedarnath
Hotel Rama Palace, Sitapur
Address: Shri Kedarnath Road, Sitapur, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
13.98 km (8.7 mi) from Kedarnath Temple
Kedar camp resort
Address: Village Rudrapur, Jakhdhar Road, Guptkashi, Uttarakhand, India, Kedarnath, Kedarnath, India, 246439
23.0 km (14.3 mi) from Kedarnath Temple
Hills Heritage Resort, Kedarnath
Address: Sersi, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
15.17 km (9.5 mi) from Kedarnath Temple
Top homestays near Kedarnath
Homestay Holy Spirit
Address: Near Hans Helipad Patha, Kedarnath
17.77 km (11.1 mi) from Kedarnath Temple
Prince homestay & reasturent
Address: Prince homestay & reasturent Sonprayag triyuginarayn road Uttrakhand
14.23 km (8.9 mi) from Kedarnath Temple
Top Airbnb vacation rentals near Kedarnath
Exciting places to visit near Kedarnath
Many who plan a trip to Kedarnath accommodate it as part of the Chota Char Dham or include it on a long vacation in the state of Uttarakhand. There is much to do near Kedarnath, from camping to adventure sports. Here are some of the most popular destinations close to Kedarnath Temple.
Rishikesh
If you are undertaking the journey to Kedarnath by train, make sure to spend a couple of days in Rishikesh. The holy city is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular spot for adventure sports.
Visit the Beatles Ashram, Lakshman Jhula, and Triveni Ghat while in the city. Thrill seekers will love the adrenaline rush that comes with river rafting, cliff jumping, and bungee jumping in the area.
Haridwar
Just a 50-minute drive from Rishikesh lies the ancient and sacred city of Haridwar. It is quite possible to explore the city in a few days. Walk the streets and stop to visit some of its popular temples such as Shri Mata Mansa Devi Temple. Complete your stay with an unbelievable Ganga aarti on the banks of the River Ganga, where thousands of devotees light elaborate lamps, enact rituals, and offer prayers.
Dehradun
The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is a charming city to explore. It is a popular getaway location in northern India due to its cool climate and lush forests. Visit Mindrolling Monastery, Robber’s Cave, and the Clock Tower while in the city. From Dehradun, it is quite easy to visit the neighboring hill station of Mussourie, which is about an hour away.
Jim Corbett National Park
Named after famed British naturalist Jim Corbett, this is India’s first national park. It is famous for having the highest number of tigers in India. While the majestic animal is the most popular attraction here, the park is also home to hundreds of varieties of birds. Jim Corbett National Park is divided into eight zones and offers several accommodation options within the park’s boundaries.
Combine trekking and spirituality at Kedarnath
The ancient temple of Kedarnath is one of the most significant holy sites for Hindus. Open for only six months out of the year, it is part of several pilgrimage circuits. This comprehensive guide to Kedarnath Temple will help you plan your trip with ease.
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