Kedarnath
One of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, nestled at 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas and part of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage.
Best Time
May to June, September to October
Timings
4:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Nearest Airport
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (239 km)
Languages
Hindi, Garhwali
The Abode of Lord Shiva
Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva, and one of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. Located at an altitude of 3,583 metres near the head of the Mandakini river, it is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and breathtaking Himalayan vistas.
According to legend, the temple was built by the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra war to seek Lord Shiva's blessings for redemption. The current structure is believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE adjacent to an earlier temple built by the Pandavas.
The temple is built of large, heavy stone slabs over a rectangular platform. The walls are beautifully carved, and the conical shikhara displays excellent craftsmanship. The temple miraculously survived the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods, protected by a large boulder.
Sacred Sites & Attractions
Explore the spiritual landmarks around this ancient Himalayan shrine.
Kedarnath Temple
2-3 hoursThe main shrine housing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, built with massive stone slabs over 1,000 years ago. The temple survived the devastating 2013 floods, protected by a large boulder.
Bhairavnath Temple
1-2 hoursLocated at a higher altitude, this temple is dedicated to Bhairavnath, the guardian deity of Kedarnath. It is believed that closing the main temple's doors without visiting here brings misfortune.
Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal)
4-5 hoursA glacial lake located about 3 km from Kedarnath, believed to be where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed. The trek offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
30 minsThe final resting place of Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher who is believed to have attained samadhi here in the 8th century after reviving the Kedarnath shrine.
Spiritual Experiences
Brahma Muhurta Darshan
Experience the most sacred darshan at 4 AM when the temple opens with Shiva's abhishek
Trek to Kedarnath
The 18 km trek from Gaurikund through stunning Himalayan landscapes is a spiritual journey
Evening Aarti
Witness the divine evening aarti as the sun sets behind the snow-capped peaks
Langar Seva
Partake in the free community meal (bhandara) served to all pilgrims
Kedarnath Trek Checklist
Essential items for the challenging 18 km trek from Gaurikund.
How to Reach Kedarnath
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport (239 km). From there, take a taxi or bus to Gaurikund, the starting point of the trek.
Airport to Gaurikund: 7-8 hours
By Road
Drive to Gaurikund via Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Guptkashi route. Regular buses and taxis available from Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Rishikesh to Gaurikund: 7 hours
Trek / Helicopter
From Gaurikund, trek 18 km (6-8 hours) or take helicopter from Phata/Guptkashi (10-15 min). Pony, palki, and porter services available.
Helicopter: Book in advance