About Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath is one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the world — the abode of Lord Shiva as Kedar. Situated at 3,583m in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, the temple stands on a flat tract of land near the head of the Mandakini river, surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan peaks.
The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas and revived by the Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the highest of the four Char Dham sites.
How to Reach Kedarnath
By Trek (Traditional Route)
The Gaurikund to Kedarnath trek is 16 km one way and is the most popular route:
- Gaurikund (1,982m) → Jungle Chatti (3 km) → Bheembali (6 km) → Linchauli (9 km) → Kedarnath Base Camp (13 km) → Kedarnath Temple (16 km)
- Trek Duration: 6–8 hours up, 5–6 hours down
- Difficulty: Moderate (steep sections after km 9)
- Ponies & Doli: Available from Gaurikund at ₹2,000–₹3,500 one way
By Helicopter
Kedarnath helicopter services operate from Phata, Guptkashi, Sirsi, and Agastmuni. The flight takes 7–10 minutes and offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayan peaks and Kedarnath valley.
- Cost: ₹4,500–₹8,000 per person (one way) — prices vary by season
- Booking: Official government portal (GMVN) or private operators
- Tip: Book helicopter slots 30–45 days in advance for peak season (May–June)
Temple Timings & Darshan
| Puja/Aarti | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mahabhishek (Special Puja) | 4:00 AM | Special abhishek with Panchagavya |
| Pratah Darshan | 6:00 AM | Morning public darshan opens |
| Viশেষ Puja (Vip) | 7:00–8:00 AM | Paid special darshan |
| Regular Darshan | 8:00 AM–1:00 PM | Open for all devotees |
| Afternoon Break | 1:00–5:00 PM | Temple closed for afternoon rest |
| Sandhya Aarti | 5:00–7:00 PM | Evening aarti, temple open |
| Closing Puja | 8:30–9:00 PM | Closing ceremony, Bhog Aarti |
Kedarnath Opening & Closing Dates 2025
The temple opens on Akshaya Tritiya (usually late April or early May) and closes on Bhai Dooj (a few days after Diwali, usually October/November).
After closing, the deity is moved to Ukhimath (Rudraprayag) for the winter months, where darshan continues until the temple reopens.
Best Time to Visit Kedarnath
- May–June: Opening season — high footfall but fresh snow visible on peaks
- September–October: Best weather — fewer crowds, clear skies, magnificent Himalayan views
- Avoid July–August: Heavy rain, landslides, poor visibility on the trek
Accommodation Near Kedarnath
- GMVN Camps at Kedarnath: Basic tented accommodation near the temple — ₹800–₹2,000/night
- Dharamshalas: Managed by the Kedarnath Devasthanam Board — free or nominal cost
- Guptkashi Hotels: Best comfortable base — 45 km from Gaurikund
- Sonprayag/Sitapur: Lodges available 5 km before Gaurikund
Kedarnath Registration
Since 2022, the Uttarakhand government requires online registration for Kedarnath Yatra:
- Register at the official Devasthanam Board portal
- Valid photo ID required (Aadhar/passport)
- Medical certificate mandatory for pilgrims above 60 years
- Daily footfall is capped — register early for peak season dates
History of Kedarnath Temple
According to Hindu mythology, after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva. Shiva, wishing to avoid them, disguised himself as a bull and dived into the earth at this location. The hump of the bull is worshipped as the Shivalinga at Kedarnath.
The present temple structure is believed to be over 1,000 years old, built from large stone slabs without mortar. Remarkably, the temple survived the devastating 2013 Kedarnath floods — protected, as devotees believe, by a large boulder that stopped the floodwaters.