Kedarnath is the other name of heaven on Earth. It's a dream destination for everyone. It's both beautiful and dangerous. So you must be fully aware of everything in and out of the Kedarnath temple before visiting this location. So let's dive deep to explore some of the unexplored aspects of Kedarnath temple before planning your trip. In this blog, you will read all the information about Kedarnath temple with us.
Uttarakhand is well known as the Dev Bhoomi, as there are thousands of temples all around this state. It is so beautiful that even deities had selected this state to spend some of the best time of their life on earth. Out of these thousand temples, Kedarnath is one of the most prominent ones. Stationed along the Mandakini River at an altitude of 3583 meters (11755 feet) above sea level in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The temple is surrounded by snow-capped mountains on three sides and a deep valley in its front. This magnificent temple is an integral part of the 12 jyotirlingas of India, panch kedar, do dham yatra, and char dham yatra of Uttarakhand.
As per the holy scriptures, this temple was established by the Pandavas, and the hump of Lord Shiva in the form of Nandi is being worshipped here.
The temple’s monument has stood the hindrances cast by time and calamities. The temple’s history is connected to the Pandavas. They belonged to the Kuru Clan and were cousins of Kauravas. They were sons of the Kunti Devi and Pandu. All of them were one of a kind and had different abilities. Kauravas also considered Pandavas as their enemy and were jealous of them. Their rivalry grew to an extent that led to the Kurukshetra War. The Pandavas defeated Kauravas in the war. They won back their kingdom of Hastinapur under the supervision of Lord Krishna. The death of Kauravas caused pain and regret in the hearts of the Pandavas. They regretted their actions and wanted desperately to attain Moksha. Lord Krishna advised them to atone for their sins, by apologizing to Lord Shiva. On the other end, Lord Shiva was upset at the path chosen by the Pandavas to win the war. He decided to teach Pandavas a lesson, by disallowing them liberation. Pandavas were unaware of Lord Shiva’s intention and searched for him. Mahadev hid in a quint village of Himalaya called Guptkashi. But Pandavas were determined to find him, so they also reached to Guptkashi. Knowing that lord Shiva went to a small village Kedar in the lap of Himalaya. But Pandavas also reached there, then to hide himself Lord shiva had attained the form of a bull called Nandi. Pandavas successfully found Lord Shiva but failed to apologize to him. He ran away, disappearing into the earth's surface.
Bhim who also projects his abnormal physical strength in the epic of Mahabharata caught lord shiva in the form of bull from his hump. Rest of the brothers prayed to lord shiva to releive them from their sin. Getting pleased of their dedication lord shiva appeared in his original form. The body of the bull was torn and emerged at five different locations. These locations where the parts appeared were transformed into temples that were built by Pandavas. These temples were together called Panch Kedar, and are all dedicated to Lord Shiva. The location where the hump of the bull emerged was made into the Kedarnath temple. The location where the arms of the bull appeared was called Tungnath Temple. The place where the face appeared was made into the Rudranath temple. The place where the stomach of the bull emerged was called Madhyamaheshwar temple which was initially constructed by the Pandavas. The location where the hair of the bull appeared was called Kalpeshwar temple. Kedarnath temple is the first one visited in the Panch Kedar. These temples are always visited in order by the pilgrims.
Its opening and closing dates were announced by the head priest of Ukhimath temple every year. The opening date of this temple is being announced on the holy occasion of Maha Shivratri, while the closing date will be announced on the occasion of Vijay Dashmi.
Kedarnath temple generally opens on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, which is on the 1st of May this year, while it closes on Bhai Dooj, which is on the 23rd of October this year. This may be the opening and closing date, but the confirm date is yet to come.
The holy shrine of Kedarnath remains open just for six months in a year due to harsh climatic conditions and tough terrain. It generally opens in the month of May and gets closed in October. So if you are planning to visit here, you need to plan between these months.
The best time to visit here will totally depend upon your preferences and choice. If you are looking for a pleasant monsoon, then May to June is going to be the best time for the Kedarnath trek, but also make note that as this is the most favorable time to visit here, you may get to witness huge crowds all along the Char Dham Yatra route. In addition to croud, things will also get costly during this time.
If you are young and are willing to witness spirituality with adventure, then you can also plan for the month of September or October. During this time there is a high chance that you may witness live snowfall during the trek. Crowd will also be comparatively less during this time, making things affordable. But make note that climate will be very harsh, and temperature may dip to -5 to -10 degrees Celsius during nighttime.
But it's strictly recommended not to plan in the month of July or August, as this area experiences a huge rainfall in this area, creating a danger of flood, road blockage, landslide, stone shooting, etc.
Planning a trip to Kedarnath is an exciting experience, but packing the right things is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable journey. Here’s a simple guide to help you with Things to carry for Kedarnath Yatra
Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, where the weather is cold, even in summer. Carry
You’ll need sturdy and comfortable trekking or walking shoes because the journey to Kedarnath involves a 16 km trek. Make sure your shoes are:
Unexpected rain is common in the mountains. Pack:
Carry a lightweight, durable backpack to hold your essentials. It should be:
Pack basic items for personal hygiene and care:
It’s important to be prepared for minor health issues. Carry:
Keep yourself hydrated and energized during the trek. Carry:
Power cuts or trekking after sunset can happen. Carry a small torch with extra batteries for safety.
Your phone is your lifeline for navigation and communication. Carry:
If you plan to visit the temple, carry:
Kedarnath Temple is not only a holy place but also surrounded by many beautiful and peaceful spots. After visiting the temple, you can explore these attractions nearby to enjoy nature, history, and spirituality. Let’s look at some must-visit places to visit near Kedarnath Temple.
Bhairav Nath Temple is just 500 meters from Kedarnath Temple. It is dedicated to Bhairavnath, a fierce form of Lord Shiva. People believe that Bhairavnath protects the Kedarnath Temple during the winter months. It is also said that Kedarnath trip remains incomplete without visiting to this temple. From this temple, you can enjoy the birds eye view of Kedarnath valley and breath taking view of snow capped mountains and lush green valley.
Gandhi Sarovar, also called Chorabari Lake, is a small lake about 3 km from the temple. The water in this lake is clear and reflects the snowy peaks around it. The short trek to the lake takes you through beautiful green meadows and small waterfalls. It’s a peaceful and refreshing spot.
Shankaracharya Samadhi is located near the Kedarnath Temple. It is the final resting place of Adi Shankaracharya, a famous saint who played a big role in spreading Hinduism. This spot is calm and perfect for people who want to feel connected to history and spirituality.
Vasuki Tal is a high-altitude lake about 8 km from Kedarnath Temple. The trek to Vasuki Tal is a bit challenging, but the beauty of the place makes it worth the effort. The lake is surrounded by tall mountains and offers stunning views of the Himalayas.
Gaurikund is about 14 km from Kedarnath Temple and is the starting point of the trek to the temple. It has hot water springs where pilgrims take a holy dip before beginning their journey. Gaurikund is also linked to the story of Goddess Parvati meditating here to win Lord Shiva’s love.
Sonprayag is a small town around 20 km from Kedarnath Temple. It is where the Mandakini and Basuki rivers meet. The place is quiet and surrounded by beautiful views of mountains, making it a great stop on your way to Kedarnath.
Triyuginarayan Temple is about 25 km from Kedarnath. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. It is also known as The Universe's First Love Marriage. The temple has an eternal flame that has been burning for centuries. The temple is surrounded by greenery and is a very peaceful spot.
Guptkashi temple is 46 km from Kedarnath and is famous for its ancient temples, like the Vishwanath Temple and Ardhnarishwar Temple. The town also offers wonderful views of the Chaukhamba peaks.
Chopta, about 70 km from Kedarnath, is called the Mini Switzerland of India. It is a scenic hill station with green meadows and snowy mountains. In addition to being a hill station, this place is also known for the adventure activities and bird watching. One of the prominent adventure activities of this region is the Chopta Tungnath Trek, which is a small trek of 3.5 km from Chopta that leads to the highest Shiva temple on this earth, i.e., the Tungnath temple.
Ukhimath Temple is 41 km from Kedarnath and is the winter home of Lord Kedarnath. When the Kedarnath Temple closes during winter, the idols are moved to Ukhimath for worship. The town is quiet and surrounded by beautiful views of the Himalayas. These attractions near Kedarnath Temple add more meaning and beauty to your trip. Whether you are a nature lover, a history fan, or a spiritual seeker, these places will make your journey unforgettable.
Kedarnath Temple, nestled in the Himalayas, is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. Located in Uttarakhand, reaching this sacred temple requires planning and effort. Here’s a simple guide on how you can get there:
The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 250 km away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gaurikund, the base point for the Kedarnath trek.
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, about 230 km from Kedarnath. Other nearby stations include Haridwar and Dehradun. Once you reach the station, you can take a taxi or bus to Gaurikund.
Kedarnath yatra registration is a mandatory step to be followed to visit the Kedarnath temple. Registration can be done through the official website. The process involves giving details like name, gender, phone number or E-mail ID, and a passport-size photograph. When all these criteria mentioned in the form are filled in, the registration process is completed by clicking on the submit option. Every pilgrim who is visiting the Kedarnath temple must carry a hard copy of the registration compulsorily. There is also another way of registration which is by offline mode. Many offline registration centres are placed at the entrances of the Chota Char Dham. People who are looking for helicopter services should compulsorily have a copy of the registration.
1. Kedarnath temple is part of 12 Jyotirlingas of India.
2. The Kedarnath trek is more than 16 km in distance with its base camp located in Guptkashi.
3. Kedarnath temple's history says that it stayed under the ice for 400 years during mini Ice age.
4. Current building of Kedarnath temple is said to be built in 8th century and had withstood many flood and natural calamities.
5. Kedarnath temple was not at all mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. The Skanda Purana is the religious text which talks about the Kedarnath temple for the first time.
6. The Shiva Lingam at the temple has a unique conical shape which explains the fact that the hump of the bull appeared at this place.
7. This temple was later reconstituted by the prodigy Adi Shankaracharya. The place where he took the Moksha lies near the temple. The site is called Shankaracharya Samadhi.
8. Kedarnath temple remained unscathed in the dangerous flood that happened in the 2013 Uttarakhand. Many people died and many went missing. Later, the rescue team transported those who had sought safety to a safe location. A huge rock that was carried along with the flood guarded the temple by changing the direction of the flood waters.
9. Rock is called Bhim Shila and it is also worshipped by the visiting pilgrims because according to experts the rock was cut out in perfect measurements to protect the temple structure. The stone is called the armour that is designed by the almighty himself to protect the shrine.
10. There is also the existence of another temple called Bhairavnath temple which is given the tag of the guardian that protects the Kedarnath from demons.
Manchala Mushfir Private Limited provides variable packages for the Kedarnath Yatra. Kedarnath Yatra Package Cost will start from INR 9500 per person for a 4-day 3-night trip starting from Haridwar. This package will include your transportation, meals, guide, registration, premium stay, river rafting at rishikesh, and all. Packages cost of Kedarnath will vary depending upon the starting ending point, stay location, facilities included, etc. For more details, you can visit our Kedarnath trip package page.
- Temperature: 5 degrees to 17 degrees Celsius (41°F to 63°F)
- Weather: the weather is usually Pleasant and cool, with clear skies this month.
- Best for: this is the best time for Pilgrimage, trekking, and sightseeing in Kedarnath.
in the summer months the best time to visit Kedarnath temple. At this time the snow starts to melt and the temple is reopening in late April to early May because of winter closure. carry warm clothes because it is necessary due to the cold temperature at night.
- Temperature: 5 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius (41°F to 59°F)
- Weather: the weather is Rainy, with frequent heavy showers and landslides.
- Challenges: this month the Travel risks due to landslides and slippery paths.
During monsoon season, heavy rains are common, and traveling from Kedarnath in that season might well cause people trouble. However the green mountains and clouds up on high provide a special attraction for adventurers.
- Temperature: 0°C to 12°C (32°F to 54°F)
- Weather: Cold, with clear skies and stunning views.
- Best for: Peaceful pilgrimages and enjoying the serene landscape.
When the monsoon waters have retreated, it is stable weather again. The snow-covered mountain tops in crisp air must be heaven, indeed. This season is the best for photography enthusiasts.
- Temperature: -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F)
- Weather: Harsh and snowy, with freezing temperatures.
- Temple status: Closed; the deity is moved to Ukhimath.
In the winter, Kedarnath temple in snow, making travel impractical for most people. The temple is closed, and everything is covered with a thick layer of snow. During this time the goddess is worshipped in Ukhimat
Kedarnath temple is the most famous temple in India. it is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level. the temple is situated in the Rudraprayag district near the Mandakini River. it is one of the parts of Do Dham Yatra dedicated to the lord shiva.
The Shiva Kedarnath Temple is famous for the part of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is also part of the Char Dham and Do Dham Yatra, making it the oldest site. its location makes your journey unforgettable and includes the high Himalayan peaks and surrounding meadows.
Kedarnath Temple is also of high altitude pilgrimage and its structure of the ancient stone architecture is believed to be thousands of years old. The temple is also famous for having natural calamities, including severe floods, making it a historical place in india.
However, it is said that this temple was built by Pandavas after Mahabarth, but it was renovated by Adi Shankaracharya in the early part of the 8th century only. This places the temple at about thousands of years in existence with strong links to both Hindu mythology and history.
On the premises of Kedarnath Temple, the actual site of worship is the ancient stone lingam dedicated to the Lord Shiva. They have a low quantity of light inside and the walls are filled with icons of different gods. and its construction, which is simple but very worshipful and spiritual, followers of the temple gain profound respect.
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