- 20 Jun, 2025
Kedarnath History, Significance & Travel Guide
Kedarnath is primarily renowned for its spiritual ambiance and attracts numerous devotees from around the world. The town and Nagar Panchayat are in Rudraprayag, a district in Uttarakhand, India. The place is primarily known for the Kedarnath temple, a Hindu temple and one of the Jyotirlingas of Shiva, which is part of the list of twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. The Temple is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River. Kedarnath is the most remote of the four small Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The place represents a pillar of celestial light emanating from Lord Shiva. The place gives you another whole spiritual vibe, as visiting the holy site is believed to bring immense spiritual benefits and liberation.
- District of the place: Rudraprayag.
- A place named for: Kedarnath Temple.
- PIN: 246445.
- State: Uttarakhand.
- Elevation: 3,583 m
The best time to visit Kedarnath.
Kedarnath experiences heavy snowfall, and it is difficult to reach during the peak winter season and monsoon, when the risk is high. The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June and from September to October.
Summers: The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June, when the weather is quite pleasant, travel is comfortable, and taking chances is risk-free. The climate is moderate during the summers, and the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and trekking.
Pre-winter: Another best time to visit Kedarnath is from September to October, as the weather tends to get quite good after the rains and before the winter. You get the best climate during these respective months, so choose to visit during the pre-winter season.
It would help if you did not visit the place during the monsoon season, which starts in July and ends in September. Heavy rains and the risk of landslides and floods are high during this time, and in the winter, the Temple is closed due to heavy snowfall.
Places to visit/nearby places in Kedarnath.
You can visit many places near Kedarnath and explore the temples, lakes, and other attractions. To learn about the respective, you can focus on the information mentioned below and get further updates on the following.
Kalimath: Kalimath is a religious place on the banks of the Saraswati River in the Rudraprayag district near Kedarnath. It is 1800 meters high and is known as one of the 108 Shakti peaks in India. In this spiritual environment, you will experience divine energies.
Gauri Kund: Gauri Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site and base camp for trekking to Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand. It is a blue lake, famously known as the Lake of Purity and Compassion. It is said that splashing a few drops of the Gaurikund jal can get you rid of illness and purify your soul.
Sonprayag: This place is famous for its scenic views and the Sangam of the Mandakini River and Basuki. It is a beautiful village en route to Kedarnath. The attraction of this place is the convergence of two holy rivers.
Guptkashi is a large town in the Kedar-Khanda, the Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. It offers a fantastic valley view that is a treat for the eyes. The town also has an ancient Vishwanath temple, Ardhnarishwar temple, and Manikarnik Kund, the place where the rivers Ganga and Yamuna are believed to have met.
Tungnath: Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the five panch Kedar temples. It is about 212 km from Rishikesh and can be approached from the Kund Gopeshwar road up to Chopta.
Badrinath: Badrinath is a holy place and one of the four sites of the Char Dham pilgrimage. The Temple is also one of the 108 divya desams dedicated to Vishu, who is worshiped as Badrinath. The deity of Badrinath was discovered in the Alaknanda River, in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs.
Important things to remember about Kedarnath.
When you are heading to the Kedarnath temple, you can have the darshan during the listed times, as the temple has opening hours. The following are the temple opening hours.
- The Kedarnath temple opens from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm. You can have a darshan and seek blessings.
- And the morning darshan is available from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- The Maha Abhishek happens in the morning, and it begins at 4 am.
- The evening aarti begins at 6:30 pm, and the Shayan arti is experienced.
- There is a Sampurna Aarti, an evening arti that ends at 7 pm.
Famous food in Kedarnath
Kedarnath is famous for traditional Garhwali dishes. The city's culinary richness displays the ancient Himalayan culinary culture. There are a few other famous conventional cuisines. To learn about them, focus on the points mentioned below and proceed accordingly.
- Kachmauli.
- Siddu.
- Rajma.
- Phaanu.
- Thenchwani.
- Chaunsu.
- Phaana.
- Kaafuli.
- Bhatt ki churkani.
- Dubuk.
- Kumauni raita.
- Bhang ki chutney.
- Allo ka gutke Kumaoni.
Famous Restaurants in Kedarnath.
Several famous restaurants in Kedarnath are famous for their local dishes. The restaurants also have multi-cuisine, and a few restaurants are located in hotels. To learn about the respective, focus on the information mentioned below and get updated on the respective.
- Hotel Mandakini Sonprayag is a restaurant in Kedarnath, HO, famous for its rajma.
- Jay Baba Kedarnath Bhojnalay is a restaurant on the trekking way to Kedarnath that serves the best trenchant.
- Madhuban Guest House and Resort serves North Indian dishes and local dishes and offers the best Phaanu.
- PINXX is a multi-cuisine restaurant at Royal Orchid Hotels that serves Indian, Chinese, continental, and pahadi food.
- Joshjus restaurant serves the best aloo ke gutke.
- Sodashi Restaurant is a multi-cuisine vegetarian restaurant that serves the best oriental food made with seasonal produce.
Things to shop for in Kedarnath.
Kedarnath is a spiritual place, but it also represents the culture of Kedarnath through beautiful local handicrafts, clothes, and other products. You can purchase any of these as a memory of traveling to Kedarnath. A few of the things that you can shop for in Kedarnath are mentioned below.
- Spiritual Souvenirs: You can carry a religious significance along with you by purchasing spiritual souvenirs that hold importance and are treasured in the memories that will always bless you with deep, holy spirits.
- Rudraksha Beads: In Kedarnath, you can find Rudraksha beads anywhere in the local market at the stalls. They hold great significance and importance in Hindu culture. The birds are respected and deeply considered, memorable and meaningful.
- Local Handicrafts: You can purchase local handicraft items that reflect the rich, vibrant culture of the region. They are available in different shapes and sizes with various patterns. You can keep it in your house as a token of memory.
- Woolen garments: The wool in Kedarnath is a different kind, which is of the best quality and lasts for years and years. You can purchase shawls, sweaters, Caps, or any other woolen garments. They are extremely popular amongst the tourists as they are available there in the best quality.
- Ayurvedic and Herbal products: Kedarnath is known for its blissful, natural environment. There, you will find the best herbal products that are good for your health. You can purchase ayurvedic and herbal products to offer a blessing to your body.
- Organic spices and teas: You can get organic spices and teas in Kedarnath, as they are naturally grown in the mountains, which are a blissful area. You must get these organic products with health benefits due to their purity.
- Handcrafted Jewelry: You can get the best handcrafted jewelry that is available in different colors and made with special techniques. You can get jewelry like earrings, necklaces, rings, or keychains as a remembrance of the trip, which you can cherish further.
How to reach Kedarnath.
Kedarnath is a sacred town in Uttarakhand, where you can visit in multiple ways. To know about the respective, bring your focus to the information as mentioned below, and get further updated with the respective.
To reach by bus:
If you plan to travel by road, you can take a regular bus. You can take a bus from Haridwar to Gaurikund, which is 240 kilometers, or you can take a bus from Rishikesh to Gaurikund, which is about 220 kilometers. Then, there is a trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
To reach by train:
There are no railway services in Kedarnath. To travel to Kedarnath by train, you need to travel to the nearest railway station and then take a bus or taxi to Gaurikund, which is the base camp for Kedarnath.
To reach by air.
If you are planning to visit Kedarnath by air, then you need to land at the nearest airport to Kedarnath, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, around 239 to 250 km away. After heading to the airport, you can take a bus or a taxi to Kedarnath.
FAQs about Kedarnath
How many days' trip should be planned to Kedarnath?
If you plan to visit Kedarnath, you must plan a trip lasting at least 3 to 4 consecutive days. If you are planning to visit the Kedarnath temple, you can extend your stay, but for a memorable and relaxing stay in a blissful environment, the prescribed number of days is enough.
What would be the best time for a trip to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand?
The best time to visit Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is in the summer because trekking in the winter can be pretty challenging. Hence, if you are keen to witness the mesmerizing view of mountains all covered in snow, then winter would be the best time to visit. Plan your trip according to your personal preferences. Hence, avoid traveling in the monsoon.
At what time is Kedarnath less crowded?
The early summer months, from March to early June, are the time when Kedarnath is less crowded. Another time when a bare minimum of tourists visit Kedarnath is in the autumn months. You can choose any of your preferred times to visit Kedarnath.
Is Kedarnath Yatra risky?
Avoid streaking in the harsh winter and monsoon months, as the path to the Kedarnath temple tends to be dangerous during these months; you might face landslides and floods, which can be highly risky.
Can a person visit Kedarnath without booking?
Before starting the journey to the Kedarnath temple, you need to register on the tourist care official website, which is https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/signin.php. Hence, no pilgrim can visit the Kedarnath temple without registration.
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