One of Lord Shiva's holiest pilgrimages is Kedarnath, which is situated in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district. The most significant Panch Kedar and one of Uttarakhand's Char Dhams is Kedarnath. One of Lord Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath is situated at an elevation of 3586 meters, close to the head of the Mandakini River and in the shadow of the spectacular mountain ranges. Kedar, which translates to "powerful" in Sanskrit, is another name for Lord Shiva, the guardian and destroyer. The temple is a lovely place to meditate because of the serene atmosphere that seems to pervade heaven. The Shiva Temple, a well-known Hindu shrine and pilgrimage site that attracts followers from all over the world, is the primary attraction here.
History: According to folklore
Kedarnath translates to "Lord of the Field," and the temple is connected to numerous powerful legends. People who have faith in Lord Shiva believe in all the legends, and as each legend is told, the devotees' spiritual understanding grows deeper and more profound. Legend has it that at Badrikashram, Bharat Khand, two manifestations of Vishnu, Nara, and Narayana, underwent intense penance before an earthen Shivalingam. Admiring their dedication, Lord Shiva materialized before them and asked them to ask for a boon. To alleviate the misery of everyone who worships Shiva, Nar, and Narayan asked that Shiva establish a permanent home as a Jyotirlingam in Kedarnath.
According to the second narrative, the site was established while the five Pandavas brothers were pleading with Shiva for forgiveness for the deaths of their cousins. Unwilling to provide the Pandavas Darshans, Lord Shiva sent himself to Kashi in the shape of a bull to live covertly in Guptkashi. The Pandavas ultimately found him there, and he was then forgiven and given his blessings. The belief that Goddess Parvati worshipped Kedareshwar to become Ardhanarishvara, the union of Shiva and Parvati, is another well-known myth connected to Kedar Temple.
Kedarnath Temple's 2025 Opening and Closing Dates
Every year on Maha Shivaratri, the Kedarnath Temple's opening time is determined by the announcement of the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. The monks of the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath choose the day of the Kedarnath shrine's opening after calculating the Hindu Panchang. This year's opening and closing dates are 6:20 a.m. on May 2, 2025 (morning) and October 23, 2025, one day after Bhai Dooj in late November, after Diwali festivities.
Weather Update: The Best Time to Visit
One of India's four major pilgrimages, Kedarnath is situated in the Uttarakhand hills. The best months to visit Kedarnath are May through June and September through October because it is extremely cold during these months. Steer clear of travel from November to April, when temperatures fall below freezing and there is a lot of rain. The lovely weather of May through June makes it the perfect time of year to visit Kedarnath. The monsoon season from July to August can result in significant landslides and flooding.
May - June (summer)
With average temperatures ranging from 15 to 30° C, May through June are the ideal months to visit Kedarnath. While some tourists explore the temples and various trekking trails in and around Kedarnath, pilgrims make up the majority of visitors during this time of year. Additionally, the Kedarnath temple is only open from May to October, when Akshaya Tritiya and Diwali are celebrated.
July - August (Monsoon)
July marks the start of the rainy season, which ends in mid-September. Right up to the start of the winter season is the ideal time to visit Kedarnath. The monsoon season might occasionally bring significant rainfall, making it less than ideal for a visit, even though the average temperature is 12°C. The 2013 floods, which forced the temple to close during this season, are proof that it is known to be prone to flooding.
November - April (winter)
Kedarnath is essentially closed to visitors from November to March. Most tourists avoid the area as temperatures drop to below-freezing levels and there is a lot of rain. The area essentially turns into a white ghost town since all of the major tourist sites are closed. Because of the poor roads, lack of services, and lack of activities, avoid traveling at this time.
What To Carry For Yatra
(Summer)
Don't forget to take a daypack, suitable walking shoes or trekking shoes, trekking pants, a windproof jacket, light wool clothes, a sun cap, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, lip balm, a torch or flashlight with additional batteries, a walking stick, and personal necessities. One essential item is a water bottle. Additionally, have energy bars, dry fruits, and energy drinks like Gatorade or Electoral (ORS) on hand.
(Monsoon)
In your daypack, keep a walking stick, a raincoat or poncho, waterproof hiking or trekking shoes, trekking pants, a windproof or water-resistant jacket, thick fleece or wool clothes, waterproof gloves, thick woolen socks, a torch or flashlight with additional batteries, and personal toiletries. To prevent dehydration, pack energy drinks, a water bottle, and some dry fruits to munch on.
How to Get There:
By Air: The closest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 250 kilometers away. We will set a private transportation to the temple, and you can fly from Delhi or any other major Indian city to Jolly Grant.
By Heli: Another way to reach the temple is via helicopter during the Kedarnath Yatra. The easiest way to get to the house is to book in a group and take a plane over the stunning mountains and valleys.
By Train: Trains to Dehradun depart from the closest railheads, Rishikesh (230 km) and Kotdwar (121 km).
By Road: Kedarnath is reachable by road from all of the main Garhwal hill towns, including Rishikesh, Kotdwar, Dehradun, Haridwar, Badrinath, and Gangotri.
Map of the Route
The full 16-kilometer Kedarnath day hike starts and ends in Gaurikund. The 14-kilometer walk was extended to a 16-kilometer trek after the 2013 flood disaster. This is a thorough reference to the recently opened Kedarnath trekking trail.
Take a shared taxi or a private taxi to Gaurikund from Sonprayag, then hike 4 km to Jungle Chatti over the Rambara Bridge, 3 km to Bheembali, 4 km to Linchauli, 4 km to Kedarnath Base Camp, and 1 km to Kedarnath Temple.
Best Tourist Spots near Kedarnath
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a little town in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is 1829 meters above sea level. Sonprayag is a halt for travelers en route to Kedarnath Dham. Sonprayag is situated where the Mandakini and Vasuki rivers, two revered rivers, converge. Many people think that taking a bath in the river will cleanse them of their sins. Sonprayag's closeness to snow-capped peaks makes it a well-liked tourist attraction. Flowing rivers and snow-capped hills add to this serene scene. About 10 kilometers from Sonprayag is Triyuginarayan, which is said to be the location of Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage.
Gaurikund
The road stops and the 16-kilometer journey to the Kedarnath Temple starts at the Gauri Kund, which is situated at a height of 6500 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas and marks the start of the Kedarnath Yatra. Gauri Kund's hot springs are considered to be among the holiest places in Hinduism. The Gauri Kund, which is situated on the bank of the Mandakini River, offers the most stunning vista. Legend has it that Lord Ganesh and the story of how he acquired his elephant head are also connected to the Gauri Kund.
Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesh out of her soap foam while she was bathing, and then positioned him at the entrance of the Kund as a guard, cautioning him not to let anyone in while she was meditating. Unaware that he was her husband, Lord Ganesh refused to enter the temple, which enraged Shiva, who then severed Ganesh's head. Lord Shiva placed the head of an errant elephant on Ganesha's body after Parvati demanded that the kid be revived. Surrounded by a verdant forest, the gushing Ganga, and the Gauri shrine, the Gauri Kund, also called Parvati Sarovar, is a sight to behold.
Vasuki Tal
At a height of 4135 meters, Vasuki Tal, also called Vasuki Lake, is a stunning lake situated in the picturesque Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, Himalayas. It is also well-liked by trekkers in Uttarakhand. Vasuki Tal offers a stunning vista of multiple Himalayan peaks and is encircled by tall mountains. It is reported that Lord Vishnu took a bath in this lake in the past. It is magnificent to see the glistening water of Vasuki Tal pouring into the lake and exposing the rock stacks inside. The surrounding Chaukhamba peaks are beautifully visible from this charming lake. The Tal is given a new augmentation by the Brahma Kamal and other vibrant blooms that surround it. The lake is frozen in the winter. It is a challenging walk that starts about 8 kilometers from Kedarnath and is rather large. Along a narrow trail, the climb from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is moderate. Travelers must first cross the Chaturangi and Vasuki glaciers to arrive at the lake. There are many ravines on these glaciers, and crossing them requires a great level of fitness.
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
Slightly behind the Kedarnath Temple is the burial of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the saint who is credited with creating India's four holy Dhams, which are significant Hindu pilgrimage sites. The well-known Hindu philosopher became enlightened at the age of thirty-two. Legend has it that Shankaracharya merged with the soil. One of Kedarnath's most visited tourist destinations, the Shankaracharya Samadhi, welcomes thousands of visitors each year. In the seventh century, Shankaracharya is reported to have visited Kedarnath and constructed one of his four mathas there. Shankaracharya's followers go to a hot spring that is believed to have been made by him to alleviate the harsh weather in the region.
Triyuginarayan Temple
The Triyuginarayan village in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is a perfect wedding option for those searching for a hallowed setting. It is famous for the temple that bears its name, which is devoted to Lord Vishnu. According to mythology, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got wedded there. This is the origin of the term Triyuginarayan, where Tri means three, Yugi means epochs, and Narayan means Lord Vishnu. At the temple, a Dhooni, or eternal fire, burns nonstop. Legend has it that the fire was started to commemorate the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Vishnu Kund is for purification, Saraswati Kund is for libations, Brahma Kund is for drinking water, and Rudra Kund is for bathing.
Shri Bhairavnath Temple
In Uttarakhand, India, there is a Hindu temple called Bhairav Temple, sometimes called Bhairon Baba Mandir. The worship of Lord Bhairav is practiced here. About 500 meters from Kedarnath, on a hilltop, sits this temple, which is accessible by foot. It is considered that a devotee's Darshan of Kedarnath will not be complete if they do not visit Bhukund Baba. The temple is devoted to Bhairav, Lord Shiva's ferocious form, who is connected to devastation and destruction. This temple is situated south of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand's stunning Himalayas. At this temple dedicated to Lord Bhairav, there is no roof over him, suggesting that Bhairav is sitting in the open.
The temple is unique in that Lord Kedarnath is worshipped only once the doors of the Kedarnath temple open, while Bhukund Bhairav is worshipped before then. Legend has it that Bhukund was Baba Kedarnath's first Rawal. The Kshetrapal of Kedarnath is another name for Bhukund Bhairav. Lord Shiva took on the form of Bhukund Bhairav.
Important Advice for Organizing the Trip to Kedarnath
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Devotees are required to pack warm clothing because Kedarnath experiences cold weather throughout the year.
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Basic sickness medications, such as those for high altitude sickness, should be taken to prevent any chaotic conditions.
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Before the temple's opening to devotees, make all bookings.
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During the rainy season, keep an umbrella on hand for protection.
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Wear sneakers or flat shoes for a more pleasant journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
