Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath temple is one of the holiest places in India. Situated at an altitude of about 3584 meters above sea level, this sacred place is visited by millions of people on an annual basis.
This scintillating place has a magical aura surrounding it and one can feel its very essence once they visit the town. Flanked by the majestic Himalayan ranges, this divine place is apt for those who wish to attain inner peace and happiness.
The snow-clad peaks, tranquil environs, and breath-taking views make Kedarnath Dham an apt place for a getaway.
History of Kedarnath Temple:
One among the Chardham, Kedarnath Dham is one of the auspicious places in India that is flooded by tourists on a daily basis. It boasts of housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the powerful Lord Shiva.
Kedarnath is home to the famous Kedarnath Temple that was built by the Pandavas. Legend states that the Pandavas seeked forgiveness from Lord Shiva after the Mahabharata war.
Lord Shiva who refused to forgive them concealed himself in the form of a bull. Once found by the Pandavas, the bull immersed itself into the ground and its body came out as five different parts in five locations.
The hump part emerged at Kedarnath Dham, which is now worshipped at the Kedarnath Temple. The five places are called as “Panch Kedar” and are considered the most sacred in India.
Nearby Places to Visit in Kedarnath:
Kedarnath Dham is a heavenly place that offers refuge for those who wish to surrender themselves in the caressing arms of Mother Nature. The holy town boasts of various tourist spots that will kindle your spiritual aura and rejuvenate your senses.
From snow-capped valleys to lush greenery, shimmering waterfalls to exotic landscapes, you can witness the ravishing beauty of nature in all her glorious forms!
Here are some top places that you need to check out on your trip to Kedarnath temple.
Vasuki Tal
Nature lovers visiting Kedarnath Dham make it a point to feast their eyes on the sparkling Vasuki Tal. This placid lake set amidst enchanting environs is a perfect hideout for nature buffs and family groups.
The surreal landscapes and divine aura make this lake a must visit place in Kedarnath.
Kedarnath Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Temple is located on the Garhwal range of the Himalayas. Worshippers of Lord Shiva make a beeline to this temple to seek his blessings and take part in various rituals. The temple is one of the most important among the Panch Kedars (five temples).
Sonprayag:
Another place of interest that you have to visit in Kedarnath is Sonprayag. Situated on the way to Kedarnath Dham, Sonprayag lies sandwiched between two rivers namely Mandakini and Basuki.
The exotic landscapes and soothing aura make it a beautiful place to spend a relaxing time. There are other places to visit in Kedarnath Dham such as Gandhi Sarovar, Phata, and Gaurikund Temple, among others.
A trip to Kedarnath temple would not be complete without experiencing a Yatra by Helicopter. Tourists who wish to get a bird’s-eye view of the holy shrines can make use of this facility.
The enthralling views, cool breeze, and divine aura will make your trip a very fulfilling one.
Hotels in Kedarnath Dham
The holy town of Kedarnath offers many accommodation options to suit every pocket. From two-star hotels to government properties, one has the choice to pick the best place to stay based on his/her budget.
Guests can experience a soothing stay as most of the hotels are located in the heart of nature amidst snow-clad mountain ranges and lush greenery.
Shivalik Valley Resorts in Sonprayag is one of the finest hotels where you can unwind in the laps of nature.
The hotel comes with state-of-the-art comforts that make one’s stay a very pleasant one. The rooms are meticulously furnished with modern amenities such as spongy beds, en-suite bathroom with shower, LCD television, and the list keeps going.
One can also experience a relaxing stay at other properties that include GMVN Kedarnath – Tourist Rest House, GMVN Rampur Tourist Rest House and GMVN Rampur Tourist Rest House, among others. Booking of rooms at the hotel can be done online at just the touch of a mouse button.
Kedarnath Dham Travel Packages:
Tourists who wish to cover many places without missing any important spot can opt for Kedarnath Dham travel packages. These packages are designed to suit the requirement of every traveller. Some of the top packages to choose from include
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Kedarnath Dham package from Haridwar – 3 days
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Kedarnath Dham tour from Delhi – 5 days
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Helicopter tour to Kedarnath Dham Yatra from Phata
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Kedarnath Badrinath Dham package from Haridwar – 5 days
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Chardham package from Delhi – 11 days
Travellers can choose the best package to suit their trip. If you are on a short trip with no time to spare, then you can choose the helicopter tour from Phata. All the tours cover some of the major attractions in the specified cities.
What is the best time to visit Kedarnath Temple?
Novice travellers who are journeying for the first time need to make a note of the weather conditions and plan in advance.
Kedarnath Dham enjoys a pleasant summer (May- June) with moderate climate, which is apt for sightseeing. Monsoon is not the preferable time to visit Kedarnath as it will be raining most of the time.
The winter season is also not the right choice as most of the roads would be blocked due to snowfall. Most visitors avoid winter, but some love to enjoy the chill climate and make a beeline for it.
Kedarnath Weather Throughout The Year:
| Month | Average Temperature (°C) | Weather Condition |
|---|---|---|
| January | −3.3 | Cold, Snowfall |
| February | −0.1 | Cold, Snowfall |
| March | 2.7 | Cool, Occasional Snowfall |
| April | 6.7 | Mild, Pleasant |
| May | 11.2 | Pleasant, Beginning of Monsoon |
| June | 14.7 | Moderate, Monsoon Rains |
| July | 13.9 | Moderate, Monsoon Rains |
| August | 13.5 | Moderate, Monsoon Rains |
| September | 12.4 | Moderate, Monsoon Rains |
| October | 9.3 | Cool, Clear Skies |
| November | 4.9 | Cool, Occasional Snowfall |
| December | 0.6 | Cold, Snowfall |
How to Reach Kedarnath Dham?
Reaching Kedarnath temple is not a daunting task as the sacred town has easy accessibility to almost all the major cities. Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport where frequent flights are operated to and from Delhi.
One can also hire a taxi from Dehradun, Haridwar or Rishikesh to reach Kedarnath. Gaurikund is the last motor vehicle accessible point.
Kedarnath Dham can be easily reached via buses also that operate from major destinations such as Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Haridwar, etc. So waste not a minute and start planning your trip to Kedarnath right away!
Kedarnath Distance From:
| From | Distance (km) |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 320 |
| Mumbai | 1760 |
| Jaipur | 700 |
| Agra | 540 |
| Dehradun | 240 |
| Haridwar | 210 |
| Rishikesh | 190 |
| Mussoorie | 290 |
| Nainital | 350 |
| Almora | 400 |
| Chandigarh | 450 |
| Shimla | 540 |
| Manali | 550 |
| Deoprayag | 190 |
| Karnaprayag | 130 |
| Rudraprayag | 80 |
| Ukhimath | 55 |
| Gaurikund | 15 |
| Sonprayag | 5 |
| Chopta | 40 |