Kedarnath: A Comprehensive Pilgrimage Guide

Mesmerising snow-capped peaks, legendary temple walls, and a divine Jyotirlinga that’s said to be the door towards salvation — Kedarnath exudes an air of divine mysticism, in the heart of the Himalayas! Recorded history states that the present temple was constructed by Adi Shankaracharya, whereas the original is said to have been built by the Pandavas. Considered to be the most prominent of the 12 Jyotirlingas on earth, Kedarnath is famous for being one of the Chota Char Dhams in India too.

The celestial aura of this famous temple draws in millions of people every year. So, read on to know about everything you need to plan a pilgrimage to Kedarnath.

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Things to See and Do in Kedarnath

Kedarnath scores high with its plethora of tourist attractions. Here’s a quick checklist for you to refer to:

• Kedarnath Temple

The divine abode of Lord Shiva — the Kedarnath Temple is the epicentre of tourism here.

Made with chunks of stones interlocked with iron clamps, the temple comprises an outer hall venerating Goddess Parvati, Lord Krishna, the Pandavas, and various other mythological deities. Just outside the main temple door is a statue of Lord Shiva’s vaahan – Nandi, while the linga inside the sanctum sanctorum is a curious triangular-shaped structure. Lord Shiva is said to reside here in the form of Sadashiva.

While its scenic beauty will appeal to your visual senses, the spiritually charged atmosphere will soothe your soul. For an enriching experience, spend a night in the nearby lodges and soak in the one-of-a-kind vibe of this place.

• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir

Located just behind the Kedarnath Temple, the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir is a revered spot, where the famous religious reformer is said to have attained moksha. No visit to Kedarnath is considered complete without paying your respects here.

While the sphatika lingam housed here is said to remove negative karma, it is also said that devotees looking to free themselves from curses and diseases also benefit with a visit here.

• Bhairav Temple

Said to be the protector of Kedarnath, the Bhairav Temple is dedicated to the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva – Bhairava. Located south of the Kedarnath Temple, approximately one kilometre uphill, it offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and Kedar Valley. Make sure to pay your respects to the deity and feast your eyes on the panoramic views, while here.

• Chorabari Tal

Also known as Gandhi Sarovar, Chorabari Tal lies less than five kilometres away from the Kedarnath Temple. Fed by the Chorabari Bamak glacier, the lake commands some of the best Himalayan views in the region. This lake is the perfect place to kick-back and relax after your trek. Do try to plan your visit early in the morning, since the weather here is rather unpredictable.

• Rudra Meditation Cave, Kedarnath

Famous for hosting Prime Minister Modi, the Rudra Meditation Cave in Kedarnath is located one kilometre uphill towards the left of the main temple, and commands stunning views of Kedarnath Temple and Bhairav Temple. Made by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the cave offers complete isolation to meditate in peace.

• Sonprayag

The meeting place of the Vasuki and Mandakini rivers, Sonprayag is an important centre on the Kedarnath route. A mandatory biometric scanning at Sonprayag will grant you further access on the road. Celebrate the awe-inspiring views here and take a bath at the local falls, if the weather permits. It’s said to cleanse away your sins.

• Vasuki Tal Lake

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu took a bath in this glacial lake and hence it came to be known as Vasuki Tal. Treating you to sweeping views of the Chaukhamba peaks, the lake is also famous for the blooming Brahmakamals – known to be one-of-its-kind in the world.

Located in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, this region is blessed with enchanting flora and fauna, and you can cover the entire region within a day from Kedarnath. For the adventurous souls out there, a direct trek all the way from Gaurikund can become the highlight of this Himalayan odyssey.

• Triyuginarayan Temple

Located about 27 km from the Kedarnath Temple, legend goes that Triyuginarayan Temple is the spot where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married, eons ago. And, a divine fire burning perpetually since the Satya Yug is witness to the celestial marriage (hence also named Akhand Dhuni Temple). Sounds intriguing, right?

You can collect the ashes of the fire for conjugal bliss, check out the three kunds or water-bodies nearby, said to have originated from Lord Vishnu’s navel and also admire the surreal landscape here.

• Gaurikund Temple

Popular in Hindu mythology for being the spot where Goddess Parvati did penance to please Lord Shiva, the Gaurikund Temple is about 16 km downhill from the Kedarnath Temple. The temple has hot springs nearby which are known to have healing properties.

Recommended Places to Stay in Kedarnath

Uma Shree Hotel: Tariff INR 716 (approx.)
Himalayan Comforts: Tariff INR 1,420 (approx.)
Shivalik Valley Resort - Sitapur Kedarnath: Tariff INR 2,200 (approx.)
Buransh Heli Resort: Tariff INR 2,700 (approx.)
Kedar Valley Resorts: Tariff INR 3,000 (approx.)
Kedar Camp Resorts: Tariff INR 3,000 (approx.)

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How to get to Kedarnath

Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag district of the Garhwal Himalayan range in Uttarakhand. At an altitude of about 3600 metres, the temple is nestled amid the cold mountains, close to the Chorabari Glacier on the banks of Mandakini River.

Start off your Kedarnath journey from the holy town of Rishikesh, located on the banks of the Ganges. Easily accessible from New Delhi by road, the nearest airport to Rishikesh is the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun.

You can then take a bus or a private cab to Guptkashi, which should take anywhere between seven to eight hours, depending on the weather. On your way to Guptkashi, you can make pit-stops at Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Augustmuni. Guptkashi is the last settled town on your way to the divine abode.

Plan a short ride from Guptkashi up till Gaurikund – the closest motorable region to the Kedarnath temple. Ideally, you have to take jeeps or SUVs to cover the stretch. It should take less than an hour under ideal conditions.

A further trek of about 16 km from Gaurikund to the mouth of the Mandakini river would bring you to the revered Kedarnath Temple. Although the path is quite steep, you can hire mules or horses to cover the trek, from Gaurikund.

You can also take advantage of the helicopter service from Phata village to Kedarnath shrine, with provisions of either a night stay or a roundabout trip with about 1.5 hours’ time for darshan. There are also helicopter rides available from the town of Augustmuni in Rudraprayag.

Ready to unlock the mysteries and legends at the ethereal abode of Lord Shiva at Kedarnath?

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