Kedarnath Temple

1 Temple Overview

Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated at 3,583 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the highest among the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

Significance: One of 12 Jyotirlingas; part of the sacred Char Dham and Panch Kedar circuits

2 Why Is It Famous?

Kedarnath is famous for its extreme high-altitude location, the arduous trek required to reach it, and its miraculous survival during the catastrophic 2013 Uttarakhand floods, when a massive boulder behind the temple diverted flood waters and saved the structure while the surrounding town was devastated. The temple's resilience has made it a symbol of unshakeable faith.

3 Story and Legends

The Mahabharata associates Kedarnath with the Pandavas, who sought Lord Shiva's forgiveness for the sins of killing their kin in the Kurukshetra war. Shiva, avoiding them, transformed into a bull and dove into the ground, leaving his hump visible at Kedarnath (the lingam here represents this hump) while other body parts appeared at four other Panch Kedar shrines.

4 History

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas and later rebuilt by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. It was severely damaged in the 2013 Uttarakhand floods but the main shrine survived. A massive boulder behind the temple acted as a shield.

Renovations: The temple has withstood numerous Himalayan natural disasters. After the devastating June 2013 floods that destroyed much of Kedarnath town, the temple itself remained largely undamaged, attributed to a large rock that diverted the flow of debris and boulders.

5 Spiritual Significance

Kedarnath is the highest among the four sites of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of a triangular shaped rock. It is said that the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva here to atone for the sins of the Kurukshetra war.

6 Architecture

Built using massive grey stone slabs in a simple yet powerful North Indian style suited to withstand extreme Himalayan weather. The temple has no ornate carving — its strength lies in structural simplicity, with thick stone walls and a low profile against the mountain backdrop.

7 Main Deity Information

The deity here is worshipped as a conical rock formation representing the hump of Shiva in his bull (Nandi) form. Unlike typical lingams, this triangular-shaped rock is unique to Kedarnath.

8 Festivals and Celebrations

The temple opens (Akshaya Tritiya, April/May) and closing (Bhai Dooj, Oct/Nov) ceremonies are major events when the deity's utsava murti (festival idol) is ceremonially moved to/from Ukhimath for winter. Maha Shivaratri, though celebrated, sees fewer devotees due to the temple being closed for winter.

9 Best Time to Visit

May-June and September-October when the temple is open and weather is relatively stable. Avoid monsoon (July-August) due to landslide risk.

Temperatures range from near 0°C at night to 15°C during the day even in summer. The temple remains closed November to April due to heavy snowfall.

10 Darshan and Temple Timings

Aarti Schedule: Morning Aarti: 5:00 AM | Evening Aarti: 6:30 PM

11 Pujas and Rituals

Special Rudrabhishek and Shiva Puja can be arranged with the temple priests. During the closing ceremony, elaborate rituals move the symbolic deity to Ukhimath for winter worship.

12 How to Reach

The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (239km). Rishikesh is the nearest major railhead. From Gaurikund, trekkers must walk/ride horses for 16km to reach the temple. Helicopter services are also available from Phata, Sersi and Sitapur.

13 Accommodation

Basic guesthouses and GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) lodges available in Kedarnath; more options in Gaurikund and Sonprayag, the base towns for the trek.

14 Food and Prasadam

Simple vegetarian meals available at langars (community kitchens) along the trek route. Local Garhwali cuisine featuring dal, rice and seasonal vegetables.

15 Entry Fees and Costs

No entry fee. Helicopter services cost ₹7,000-12,000 round trip per person depending on operator and season.

16 Rules and Dress Code

Warm layered clothing essential due to extreme cold, even in summer. Modest temple attire required for darshan.

17 Nearby Attractions

Vasuki Tal (high-altitude lake, 6km trek), Bhairav Temple, Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal), Triyuginarayan Temple.

18 Interesting Facts

The 2013 flood disaster, which killed thousands in the region, left the main temple structure completely intact while devastating the surrounding town — widely seen by devotees as a divine miracle. The trek to Kedarnath gains over 1,500 meters elevation across 16-18km.

19 Visitor Tips

Book helicopter tickets months in advance during peak season (May-June). Start the trek early morning to avoid afternoon weather changes. Carry portable oxygen if prone to altitude sickness. Register at Sonprayag before starting the trek (mandatory biometric registration).

20 Frequently Asked Questions

21 Quick Summary

22 Ratings