Kedarnath Dham – Complete Information
Overview
Kedarnath Dham is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple is part of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuits.Geographic Details of Kedarnath
Location : 14 Km Trek From Gaurikund
Dedicated To : Lord Shiva
Altitude : 3,581 mt
Built In : 8th Century AD
Best Time to visit:-The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.
The shrine of Kedarnath is very scenically placed, and is surrounded by lofty, snow - covered mountains, and during summer grassy meadows covering the valleys. Immediately behind the temple, is the high Keadardome peak, which can be sighted from great distances. The sight of the temple and the peak with its perpetual snows is simply enthralling.
Religious Significance
Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, making it extremely sacred.According to Hindu mythology, after the Kurukshetra War, the Pandavas sought Shiva’s blessings for salvation. Shiva, avoiding them, took the form of a bull and dived into the ground at Kedarnath, leaving behind his hump (other body parts appeared at other Panch Kedar temples).
The temple was built by the Pandavas and later restored by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
It is believed that worshiping at Kedarnath grants moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).
Kedarnath Temple Architecture
The temple is built from massive stone slabs, standing strong for centuries despite extreme weather.It has a triangular Shiva Lingam, unique among all Jyotirlingas.
The temple features intricate carvings of deities and mythological scenes.
The inner sanctum houses the Shiva Lingam, which is worshipped as Kedarnath Mahadev.
Major Attractions Near Kedarnath
Bhairavnath TempleLocated 500 meters from Kedarnath, dedicated to Bhairava, the temple’s guardian deity.
Offers panoramic views of the Himalayan range.
Vasuki Tal
A glacial lake at an altitude of 4,150 meters.
Requires a trek of about 8 km from Kedarnath.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
The final resting place of Adi Shankaracharya, located behind the Kedarnath temple.
He is believed to have attained Moksha here.
Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar)
A serene lake at 3,900 meters, 4 km from Kedarnath.
It is believed that Lord Shiva gave knowledge to the Saptrishis here.
Best Time to Visit
May to June: Pleasant weather, ideal for pilgrimage.September to October: Post-monsoon season with clear skies.
Avoid July & August: Heavy rainfall and risk of landslides.
Kedarnath Temple Opening & Closing Dates
The temple opens in April/May (on Akshaya Tritiya).It closes in October/November (on Bhai Dooj).
During winter, the idol is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, for worship.
How to Reach Kedarnath Dham?
By AirNearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (250 km from Kedarnath).
Helicopter services available from Dehradun, Phata, Guptkashi, and Sitapur.
By Train
Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (221 km).
Haridwar and Dehradun are other nearby railway stations.
By Road
Reach Gaurikund (Last Motorable Point) via Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Dehradun.
Trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16 km) on foot, ponies, palanquins, or helicopter.
Accommodation & Facilities
GMVN Guest Houses, Dharamshalas, and Hotels available near Kedarnath.Food options: Simple vegetarian meals.
Medical & emergency facilities available at Kedarnath and Sonprayag.
Things to Keep in Mind
✔ Carry warm clothes, as temperatures drop below freezing.✔ Acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.
✔ Trekking requires good physical fitness.
✔ Book helicopter services in advance for convenience.
