One of the divinest journeys in North India, Kedarnath is situated in the Uttarakhand Rudraprayag district - Augustmuni. A beautiful place to visit, this yatra gives you spiritual power and peace. It is located at 3,584 m above sea level, near the head of the Mandakini River. A popular Hindu pilgrimage site, Kedarnath is one of the four major sites in India’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage, which also includes Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

It is the most remote place of the four Char Dham sites. This place is surrounded by hills and beautiful snow. There is divine power in this temple. Known for the ancient Shiva Temple, a trip to Kedarnath is an exciting experience. Like the other sites, it opens once a year. Kedarnath closes on the first day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November) and reopens in Vaishakh (April-May) every year.

The shrine is submerged in snow for about half the year, when the Lord is shifted from Kedarnath to Ukhimath. The story of this temple is that it came into existence as a result of the Pandavas' search for Lord Shiva to atone for their sins of killing their colleagues during the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva avoided all attempts to meet the brothers, and finally stopped at Kedarnath, taking the form of a bull and forcing himself into the ground, leaving only his hump visible. The determination and dedication of the Pandavas impressed Lord Shiva, who forgave their sins, blessed them, and allowed them to worship him at Kedarnath.

Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Temple is one of the best temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a major tourist attraction, and visitors book their hotels well in advance. Many hotels and dharamshalas are available starting at Rs 500, providing basic facilities. There are also many guest houses that are generally booked throughout the year. Room availability is abundant in September and October, with prices starting at just Rs 600 per night. Better hotels are available at an additional cost. These hotels also provide good services, such as food, water, TV, and coffee.

Kedarnath Temple

This is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva. The grand and attractive structure of Lord Shiva's shrine is made of grey stone. People and tourists climb the stretching path, which is approximately 15 km from Gauri Kund, and is filled with the beauty of nature. The paved, steep path offers pilgrims breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and lush rhododendron forests. A massive stone statue of Nandi Bull sits opposite the shrine, vigilantly guarding it.

There is a Garbha Griha which houses the primary idol (pyramid-shaped rock) of Lord Shiva. The idols of Lord Krishna, Pandavas, Draupadi, and Kunti find space in the Mandapa section of the shrine. The temple has withstood natural calamities like avalanches, earthquakes, and floods for over a thousand years and still stands as strong and elegant as it must have originally been. This place is in Augustmuni in the Rudraprayag district, a famous pilgrimage site.

Gaurikund

It is the starting point of the journey to the Kedarnath Temple. According to legend, Goddess Parvati meditated here to marry Lord Shiva. It consists of natural thermal springs and offers pilgrims a refreshing bath before they embark on the holy darshan of Kedareshwar (Lord Shiva).

There is also an ancient Gauri Devi Temple here. Half a kilometer from Gauri Kund is the temple of Sirkata (headless) Ganesha. According to the story, this was the place where Shiva beheaded Ganesha and later attached the head of an elephant to his headless body. Therefore, this god is called Ganesha.

Bhairav Nath Temple

When visiting Kedarnath, another divine temple is the Bhairav Nath Temple. To the south of the Kedarnath Temple, there is an ancient and important temple dedicated to Bhairav Nath. It is believed that Bhairav Nath guards the temple compound when the temple is closed for the winter season.

Chorabari Tal

Chorabari Tal is one of the beautiful lakes in Uttarakhand. Fed by the Chorabari Glacier, the serene and pristine Chorabari Lake can be reached from the Kedarnath Temple, about 4-5 km away. It is also known as Gandhi Sarovar, as some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in its waters. On the way, there is a waterfall which must be crossed. It may look humorous, but care should be taken while crossing. Visitors should be cautious when visiting Chorabari Tal.

Vasuki Tal

This is one of the beautiful places and lakes in Uttarakhand, located approximately 3,135 meters above sea level. Surrounded by beautiful hills, the crystal-clear blue-water lake of Vasuki is about 8-10 km from the Kedarnath Temple. Visiting this lake is quite difficult and involves crossing glaciers, but the walk among the untouched Himalayas is worth every bit of effort. This place is situated at the top of a hill. Kedarnath is covered by snow during the wintertime, and tourists can visit it only during specific times.

Best Places to Eat

Kedarnath is a holy and religious place. It is a strictly vegetarian destination, and alcohol consumption is not allowed here. Some restaurants or dhabas along the way leading to the holy temple are open from morning to midnight and serve basic Indian food. It is advisable to eat cooked food or boiled vegetables to maintain your health. Many visitors bring their own food.

Climate in Kedarnath

Kedarnath has a cool climate. The summer months stretch from May to August, with pleasant weather ideal for sightseeing. The average temperature during this time stays around 17°C, making it vibrant for exploring the destination. September and October remain the monsoon season, with very little rainfall, but the temperature drops to 12°C due to cooler winds.

How to Reach Kedarnath

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, located 239 km from Kedarnath. It is a domestic airport with regular flights to New Delhi, which has an international terminal with flights to several destinations both within the country and abroad.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh, 221 km from Kedarnath. Rishikesh station is well connected to various places in Northern India.

By Road: Kedarnath is well connected by road with National Highway routes. From Gaurikund, one can travel by foot, and there are also buses to popular nearby places like Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Haridwar.

Hotels in Kedarnath

Kedarnath has a wide range of ashrams, dharamshalas, cottages, and a State Government Tourist Lodge offering comfortable stays at reasonable prices.

• Check out: Do Dham Yatra Package