Kedarnath

Kedarnath Temple is one of the Chardham (four sacred pilgrimage destinations) in India. It is the 11^th Jyotirlinga out of 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Established by the Indian scholar, Aadi Guru Shankaracharya, this temple and the places to visit in Kedarnath draw millions of pilgrims every year. Located in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, the temple is open to the public only between April and November due to the extremely cold climate in winter. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to Hindu sacred texts, the temple was built by the Pandavas to do penance to satisfy Shiva after the battle of Mahabharata. “Kedarnath translates to the Lord of the field. Apart from the temple itself, places to visit in Kedarnath are unmissable. The places to visit in Kedarnath include Vasuki Tal, Sonprayag, Chorabai Tal, Gauri Temple, Bhairavnath Temple etc.

Kedarnath Yatra 2024 Overview

The Kedarnath Yatra

All the Details That You Must Know Before Planning a Trip!

The Char Dham Yatra is a holy pilgrimage undertaken every year by devout to fulfill their wishes. The journey to the four spots namely, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath is an arduous one and many factors have to be considered. Below is a guide on how to pursue the Kedarnath temple yatra – covering details from timings, and cost to the rituals. Read on to know more.

How to Reach?

Airport

Kedarnath is a Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The closest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 239 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Kedarnath.

Train

If you are travelling by train, the nearest railway station is Rishikesh, which is about 216 km from Kedarnath. From Rishikesh, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Kedarnath.

Once you reach the nearest town, Gaurikund, you will have to take a 16 km trek to reach Kedarnath. The trek takes around 6-7 hours to complete and passes through beautiful mountain scenery.

Some points to note:

• The drop point of the helicopter is 0.5 km away from the temple.
• The cost for a round trip from Phata-Kedarnath-Phata comes to INR 6500 per person with extra applicable taxes.
• One-way helicopter rides can also be booked subject to seat availability and the ticket will cost between INR 3,000 to INR 3,500 with applicable taxes.

Helicopter: Regular helicopter service plies from Phata Village near Sonprayag and Agustmuni helipads. You can visit the Kedarnath temple and return the same day. These are 5-seater helicopters. The last helicopter back to Phata leaves at 11:10 AM and those doing an overnight stay at Kedarnath can take this flight the next day. Even with a same-day return flight, you will get around 1:30 hours for darshan in the temple

A Palki:Doli is a palanquin that is lifted and carried by four people. It can cost around INR 8000-INR 12000 approx.

A Pony Ride:A pony ride will cost you around INR 2500 for the return journey from Sonprayag. You can also book a pony from Gaurikund for INR 2300 approx.

How to do Registration for Kedarnath Dham Yatra

To register for the Kedarnath Yatra, you can follow the steps mentioned below:

• Visit the official website of the Kedarnath Yatra, which ishttps://www.kedarnath.gov.in/
• On the homepage, you will find a link to the registration form. Click on that link.
• Fill in the necessary details in the registration form, such as your name, address, age, gender, contact number, etc.
• Select the date and time for your visit to Kedarnath and the number of people accompanying you.
• Upload a scanned copy of your ID proof, such as an Aadhaar card, driving license, or passport.
• Submit the form and make the payment of the registration fee.
• After the successful completion of the registration process, you will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number.

Biometric Registration

Biometric registration is also required for Kedarnath Temple. This can be done both offline and online. Offline or physical registration can be done at various pilgrim points like Sonprayag, Rahi Hotel, Haridwar, Badrinath, Phatta, Gangotri, Yamnotri, Joshimath, Hemkund Sahib, RTO Dehradun, ISBT Rishikesh, Gaurikund, Hina Uttarkashi and many more.

To complete biometric registration online, you can follow these steps:

• Visit the official website of the Kedarnath Shrine Board (https://www.kedarnath-dham.com/) and navigate to the "Online Registration" section.
• Click on the "Biometric Registration" option.
• Enter your details such as name, date of birth, gender, and contact details.
• Select the date and time slot for your biometric registration at your convenience.
• Upload a scanned copy of your ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport).
• Pay the registration fee using the available payment options.
• Once the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number and email ID.
• On the day of your biometric registration, reach the designated registration center at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
• Provide your biometric information (fingerprint and iris scan) and complete the registration process.

Kedarnath Temple Yatra

It is a 16km trek starting from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath Temple. The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering has set up sheds and kiosks every few kilometers one can relax and catch their breath! There are also other refreshment pit stops on the way that serves Maggi, tea, water bottles, lemonade, etc along the Yatra route. Free Sulabh Toilets are also available on the course.

If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can also trek 3 km ahead to see the lovely Chorabari Tal. 4 km ahead, you can find the Vasuki Tal reflecting the mighty Himalayan peaks.

Kedarnath Temple Rituals

Here are a few details about visiting and performing rituals at the Jyotirlinga:

The pooja can be performed in the morning and the evening. Devotees must pay a specific amount to attend a pooja.

Morning Pooja:

Timings: 4:00 am to 7:00 am.

Rituals:

Mahabhishek: The cost of attending this pooja is INR 1700 per person.

Rudrabhishek: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this ritual is done to remove obstacles and wipe out all sins. It can cost around INR 1300 per person.

Laghurudrabhishek: This pooja is done to resolve health and wealth-related issues or to lessen the impact of a planetary motion in the horoscope. This pooja can cost INR 1100 per head.

Shodasopachar Pooja: This is another ritual for overall peace and prosperity. The cost for this ritual is INR 1000 per head Besides these, Balbhog, general morning pooja, and several other rituals are also performed which can be attended to at a nominal fee.

Evening Pooja:

Timings: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Rituals:

Shiva Sahasranamam Paath: in this ritual, all the 1008 names of Lord Shiva are recited and an elaborate pooja is done followed by Abhishekam. INR 360 is the charge per head.

Shiva Thandavastotra Paath: The stotrams which have 16 syllables per stotra are recited. INR 360 is the charge per head for this ritual.

What is the Best Time to Explore the Places to Visit in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath temperature shuttles between -2°C to 28°C. In winter, Kedarnath experiences freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. The routes to Kedarnath are shut due to snowfall thus it is not the best time to visit Kedarnath. August to October experiences moderate temperature but you can expect short bursts of rainfall. April to July is the best time to visit Kedarnath. During this period Kedarnath weather remains pleasant throughout the day making activities like trekking etc. convenient.

How to reach Kedarnath Temple?

Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport and is located about 250 km from Kedarnath. This airport is connected to four metropolitan cities. From the airport, you can take a bus or cab to Kedarnath. To enjoy the places to visit in Kedarnath you can also travel via bus.

You will find buses to Kedarnath from Dehradun and Haridwar. Rishikesh railway station is the only railway station that is close to Kedarnath. It is located about 200 km from Gaurikund, the closest motorable area to Kedarnath. After reaching Gaurikund, you can trek and go around various places to visit in Kedarnath.

What Are the Things to See Do at Places to visit in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Temple is an essential part of every Chardham yatra packages itinerary. The shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva and located at an elevation of 11,755 feet, is adjacent to the Chorabari Glacier, the source of the Mandakini River. The fact that it is one of the 12 devout 'Jyotirlingas' adds to its spiritual significance. The places to visit in Kedarnath are adorned by the presence of gorgeous apple orchards, snow-capped peaks, deep canyons and terraced slopes.

Vasuki Tal, Kedarnath

Located at an elevation of 14,200 feet above sea level, Vasuki Tal is a sweet water glacial lake situated in Kedarnath. It is placed at a distance of 8km from Kedarnath. Surrounded by high mountains, it is believed that Lord Vishnu used to bathe in this lake. The crystal-clear lake against the backdrop of majestic mountains is a sight to behold. You will see some of the rarest flowers in and around the lake including the “Brahma Kamal. Add this beautiful destination to your list of places to visit in Kedarnath and get soaked in the divine aura.

Sonprayag

On the way to Kedarnath, you will find this small hamlet that is a part of the Rudraprayag district of Uttaranchal. It is the confluence of two holy rivers- Basuki and Mandakini. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Kedarnath as it is believed that bathing here will wash away ones sins. Surrounded by majestic mountains that are covered with snow, the gushing stream looks ethereal.

Chorabari Tal

Also known as Gandhi Sarovar, Chorabari Tal is a small lake perched at an altitude of 3,900m above sea level at the foot of Kedarnath and Kirti Stambh Peak. The mesmerizing view of the lake surrounded by majestic mountains makes it a popular destination among places to visit in Kedarnath. You have to trek 3 km from Kedarnath Temple to reach the lake. According to the Hindu sacred texts, Lord Shiva imparted knowledge of yoga to the Saptarishis at this location.

Bhairavnath Temple

All the places to visit in Kedarnath have religious significance. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairava, also known as Kshetrapal or the guardian of the region. It is believed that when the temple is closed for 6 months during the winters, Lord Bhairavnath protects the shrine and the Kedarnath valley. Located at a distance of 500 m from the Kedarnath Temple, this place offers stunning views of the Kedarnath temple and the entire valley.

Gauri Kund

Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, this pilgrimage site is on its way to Kedarnath. It is believed that Goddess Parvati meditated here for a long time to win Lord Shiva as her husband. Finally, Lord Shiva married her at Trijuginarayan, a place situated not very far from the temple. There is a hot water spring at Gauri Kund and it is considered auspicious to take bath in this spring before proceeding toward Kedarnath, making it one of the most important places to visit in Kedarnath.

The pilgrimage to Kedarnath for the year 2024 is scheduled to open on May 10th and will remain accessible until mid-September. The best time to visit Kedarnath is between April and June, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for pilgrims. Devotees can plan a trip accordingly.

The pilgrimage to Badrinath for the year 2024 is scheduled to open on May 12th and will remain accessible until mid-September. The best time to visit Badrinath is between May to June & September to October when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for pilgrims. Devotees can plan a trip accordingly.

Conclusion

For ages, sages have come to Kedarnath in search of salvation. This magnificent temple stands aloft even after facing natural calamities. A conical rock formation inside the temple is revered as Sadashiva. Several tourists come here every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Plan a trip to the places to visit in Kedarnath, one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations in India and get drenched in spiritual ecstasy.