Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India, Kedarnath is one of the holiest towns for Hindus. Situated at an astonishing height of 3584 metres above sea level near the banks of Mandakini River, Kedarnath is one of the Char Dhams in the Himalayas.
The temple of Kedarnath is situated ideally amidst snow-topped mountains and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the world each year.
Best Time To Visit Kedarnath Temple
During summers, from April to June, is the best time to visit the temple of Kedarnath. This time is also ideal to visit Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath temple. The temple remains closed during the winter season and the opening of the temple is announced on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
History Of Kedarnath Temple
According to the ancient scripture of Mahabharata, the temple of Kedarnath was built by the Pandavas at the place where they pleased Lord Shiva with their penance. Later on, the temple was revived by the great spiritual guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century, when he visited the temple with his four disciples.
Major Attractions Around Kedarnath Dham
1. Pilgrimage
Situated at a height of 3,500 metres, Kedarnath is one of the holiest Hindu shrines and numerous Hindu devotees partake in arduous pilgrimage every year. The shrine is surrounded by the thick snow layered Himalayan mountains.
2. Trekking
Only 19 kilometres away from Kedarnath, Gauri Kund is the nearest town with road connectivity. From there, one has to trek 16 kilometres to the Kedarkantha shrine making it an unforgettable experience. And if you like to explore further, then you can extend your trek to Chorabari Tal, Vasuki Tal and Bairon Mandi.
3. Camping in Kedarnath
There are not many options for accommodation in Kedarnath hence, tourists can pitch their tents near the town and absorb the natural beauty surrounding the town as well as the mighty Kedarnath peak in the backdrop.
How To Reach Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath is easily accessible from Rishikesh and is well connected with roads. The roads are well-maintained till Guptkashi.
The nearest town to Kedarnath is Guptkashi, which is around 440 kilometres from Delhi. You can drive your own car or travel by the means of public transport. Shared or private cabs are readily available from Rishikesh to Guptkashi.
By Air
The nearest airport from Kedarnath is the Jolly Grant Airport which is situated at a distance of 239 kilometres away from the destination and 22 kilometres southeast of Dehradun. It has frequent flights from New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Trivandrum and Lucknow. The remaining distance can be covered via shared cabs, private taxis or buses.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available To Reach Kedarnath Dham
The nearest railhead from Kedarnath is at Rishikesh which is 221 kilometres away. Private taxi services are available just outside the railway station to cover the remaining distance. 207 kilometres of remaining distance can be covered by road and the rest 14 kilometres can be covered on foot to reach Kedarnath.
Travel Tip for Kedarnath Yatra
Tourists can hire mules and porters but it is advisable to check the official price chart before hiring. For your own safety, do check the ID Cards of the Porters and Mule Owners.
