Explore The World

Book a Ticket

Edit Template

Kedarnath Dham
Yatra

Book Kedarnath tour packages with all you need route guide, temple darshan,
trekking tips, and hotel info.

Kedarnath is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated in the state of Uttarakhand, this holy place is a part of the famous Chota Char Dham Yatra, which includes Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Kedarnath is also one of the five temples of Panch Kedar and is counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.

Kedarnath Dham Temple Open & Close Date 2025

The opening date of the Kedarnath Temple is announced on the auspicious morning of Mahashivratri. On this day, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee also declares the opening dates for all Char Dham temples. For 2025, the Kedarnath Temple will open for pilgrims from 2nd May.

Spiritual Importance of Kedarnath

As per our ancient legends, after the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas felt guilty for killing their own family and wanted to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva. But the Lord did not want to meet them, so he took the form of a bull and tried to hide in the mountains. When the Pandavas found him, he dived into the earth, and his hump remained at Kedarnath. The rest of his body parts appeared at four other places—Tungnath (arms), Rudranath (face), Madmaheshwar (belly), and Kalpeshwar (head and hair). Together, these five places are known as Panch Kedar.

Location and Natural Beauty

Kedarnath is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at a height of 3,583 metres above sea level, near the origin of the Mandakini River. Kedarnath town has a small population of around 830 people and is approximately 223 km from Rishikesh and 86.5 km from Rudraprayag. The temple is surrounded by majestic snow-covered mountains like Kedarnath Peak (6,940 m) and Kedar Dome (6,831 m), creating a divine and peaceful atmosphere.

The journey to Kedarnath is not easy, but it is full of spiritual energy and natural beauty. Most devotees either walk or take a pony ride to reach the temple, especially during the yatra season.

Architecture of Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple is believed to be built by the Pandavas and later restored in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya Ji. Made from large grey stone slabs, the temple looks strong and ancient, standing tall even in extreme cold and snow. It is a wonder how such heavy stones were carried and placed at such a high altitude in olden times.

The main entrance of Kedarnath Temple faces east. Pilgrims stand in a queue outside the temple, especially during the yatra season (April to November). Opposite of the kedarnath temple there is a large idol of Nandi, It is believed that if you whisper your wish in Nandi ji’s ear, it gets fulfilled. Next step for pilgrims is Mandap. Mandap is the large hall area where devotees gather, chant mantras, and wait for darshan. From the Mandap, they move forward to the Garbha Griha which is the innermost part of the temple, where Shivlinga is situated. And this Shivlinga looks like the back of a buffalo. Pilgrims are allowed to touch and offer water, bel patra, and flowers directly on the lingam, depending on temple rules and time of day.

Explore Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath Doli Program

Every year, the sacred journey of Kedarnath Ji’s Panchmukhi Doli marks the beginning of divine celebrations before the grand opening of the Kedarnath Temple. The Doli carries the Panchmukhi murti of Lord Kedarnath and travels through various spiritual halts from Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath to the Kedarnath Dham.

In 2025, the Kedarnath Temple will open for pilgrims on 2nd May at 6:20 AM, and the Doli Yatra will take place in the days leading up to this sacred occasion. Here is a detailed breakdown of the Doli’s journey:

Day 1 & 2

Omkareshwar Temple to Guptkashi, then to Phata

The Panchmukhi Doli of Lord Kedarnath Ji begins its spiritual journey from the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where it is worshipped during the winter months.

On Day 1, it halts at Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi, a sacred town that holds deep connection with Lord Shiva. The Doli stays overnight here, and devotees gather to offer prayers and seek blessings.
On Day 2, the journey resumes from Guptkashi to Phata, a quiet Himalayan town, where the Doli rests for the night.

Day 3 & 4

Phata to Gaurikund, then Kedarnath Dham:

On Day 3, the Doli moves from Phata to Gaurikund, and Doli stays overnight in Gaurikund.

On Day 4, the Kedarnath Doli begins its 18 km uphill journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple. The route includes key stop points such as Junglechatti, Bhimbali, Rambada, Lincholi, and Rudra Point. The Doli moves steadily along the designated trekking path, and the journey continues through the day until it reaches the Kedarnath Dham.

Day 5

Kedarnath Temple Opening Ceremony:

The long-awaited moment finally arrives on Day 5, when the Kapat (doors) of Shri Kedarnath Temple are opened for devotees in the early morning hours. At exactly 6:20 AM on 2nd May 2025, amidst Vedic chants, traditional music, and pure devotion, the temple is thrown open for darshan.

Kedarnath Yatra Dham

Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath Dham Yatra Travel Tips

If you’re planning to Kedarnath Dham Yatra, these travel tips will genuinely help you. The journey is divine, but it can be physically challenging too, so it’s better to be well-prepared:

Book Everything in Advance – Kedarnath Dham Yatra gets very crowded during peak season. Hotels, transport, even helicopter services should be booked early.
Start Your Day Early – Whether it’s the trek or darshan, mornings are always better less rush and better weather.
Acclimatise Before the Trek – Spend a day at Guptkashi or Sonprayag before starting the yatra. It helps your body adjust to the height.
Travel Light, But Smart – Carry essentials like warm clothes, a raincoat, basic medicines, ID, and your yatra pass.
Keep Yourself Hydrated – Carry a water bottle and keep sipping. Also, carry some snacks like dry fruits or energy bars.
Take Breaks During the Trek: You should stop for breaks to catch your breath and avoid overexertion because the trekking distance is 16-18 km.
Carry Required Medications: If you have any medical problem, then make sure you have all medicines for the related issue.
Follow Guides and Signboards: When trekking, make sure you are following local guides and signboards for safety and directions.
Walk Carefully, Use a Stick: You should walk carefully on steep paths. For your comfort, you can use a walking stick for balance and avoid hurrying to stay safe.
Network is Limited – Inform your family before you start the trek, and don’t depend too much on your phone.

Kedarnath Dham Yatra Registration

Registration is compulsory before visiting Kedarnath Dham Yatra, as it’s for your safety and tracking.

How to Register for Kedarnath Dham yatra:

Online: You can do it easily on the official site – https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
Offline: Registration centers are available at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Sonprayag, Phata, etc.

What You’ll Need:

Aadhaar card or any valid ID
Passport-size photo
Mobile number (for OTP)

Once registered, you’ll get a Yatra ID/E-pass, which is also used for insurance during your journey. Carry both soft copy and a printout.

Weather Conditions at Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath experiences cold and unpredictable weather due to its high-altitude location.

Summers (May–June): Summers are thes best time for Kedarnath Dham yatra beacuase temprature goes to 5°C to 18°C. Its ideal time for trekking and darshan, though nights remain chilly.

Monsoon (July–mid-Sept): Monsoon brings heavy rains, landslides, and travel risks. It’s advised to avoid the Kedarnath yatra during this period.

Winters (Nov–April): Winters are extremely harsh with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, making Kedarnath Daham inaccessible. The temple remains closed during this time. During this time, the Panchmukhi idol of Kedarnath is moved to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath

KEDARNATH WEATHER

Kedarnath Trek Route and Distance

The trek to Kedarnath Dham starts from Gaurikund, which is located about 16 km from the Kedarnath Temple. The route is a steady uphill climb, and it usually takes pilgrims around 6 to 10 hours to complete, depending on weather also fitness level of pligirms. In Kedarnath Dham trek there are several medical camps set up by the government. These camps are strategically located at different points along the route to provide medical assistance in case of illness or emergencies. If trekking the entire distance seems difficult, ponies and palanquins are available for hire, providing a more comfortable alternative to reach the Kedarnath temple.

Kedarnath Highlights

1. Highest Jyotirlinga of Shiva
2. One of the Panch Kedar Dham
3. One of the Char Dham of Uttrakhand
4. Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya

Best Time to Visit Kedarnath

May to November

Nearest Railway Station

The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, located approximately 238 km away.

Nearest Airport

The nearest railway station to Kedarnath is Rishikesh Railway Station, located approximately 288 km away.

Google Map Location

Places to Visit in Kedarnath

1. Kedarnath Temple
2. Bhairavnath Temple
3. Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Tal)
4. Vasuki Tal
5. Shankaracharya Samadhi

No-Trek Options to Kedarnath

1. Pony/Mule rides
2. Palki services
3. Helicopter (to/from Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi, etc., but involves minimal trekking)

Why Choose Us For Kdarnath Dham Yatra?

At chardham.website, we understand the spiritual significance and physical challenges of the Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Here’s why thousands of devotees trust us every year:

Complete Yatra Assistance – From registration to return, we guide you at every step.
Verified Accommodations – Stay at clean, safe, and affordable places near Sonprayag, Gaurikund & Kedarnath.
Helicopter Booking Support – Hassle-free chopper bookings from Phata, Sersi, and Guptkashi.
Local Transport Arrangements – Shared taxis, ponies, palkis – all managed with ease.
Live Weather & Route Updates – Stay informed with real-time alerts during your journey.
Devotee-Centric Service – Our team is available 24×7 to assist pilgrims with care and respect.

Let chardham.website be your trusted travel partner for a safe, spiritual, and smooth Kedarnath Yatra.

Explore The World

Kedarnath Dham Yatra FAQs

Trekking start from the Gaurikund for the Kedanath temple and the trekiing distance is 16-18kms.

You can easily register online through the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra website or mobile app. Registration is compulsory for all pilgrims after the 2013 massive floods.

Yes, helicopter services are available for the pilgirms from many places like Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi, and Sitapur. But make sure you have advance booking.

Cellphone Networks are limited in Kedarnath. BSNL and Jio work at a few locations, but don’t expect strong or consistent connectivity.

Yes, small food stalls, tea shops, and water points are available throughout the trek route.

Yes, the route is well-marked and hundreds of pilgrims walk daily. But for first-timers or senior citizens, hiring a local guide or porter can be helpful.

Yes, public toilets and basic medical aid are available at multiple stops along the route.

You can reach Kedarnath from Delhi by taking a train or bus to Haridwar or Rishikesh, then travel by road to Gaurikund (the base of the trek). From Gaurikund, you’ll need to trek or take a pony/doli/helicopter.

An HDFC ATM is available near Kedarnath Temple at 11,755 ft (India’s highest-altitude HDFC ATM), but since it's the only one, cash may run out. Carry enough cash in advance. ATMs are also available at Guptkashi and Sonprayag.

An HDFC ATM is available near Kedarnath Temple at 11,755 ft (India’s highest-altitude HDFC ATM), but since it's the only one, cash may run out. Carry enough cash in advance. ATMs are also available at Guptkashi and Sonprayag.

No, drone flying is strictly prohibited around Kedarnath temple for security and religious reasons.

No, drone flying is strictly prohibited around Kedarnath temple for security and religious reasons.

Expect cold weather even in summer, and snow or rain during monsoon and post-monsoon. Temperatures can drop to -5°C to 10°C even in May–June.

Expect cold weather even in summer, and snow or rain during monsoon and post-monsoon. Temperatures can drop to -5°C to 10°C even in May–June.

Private vehicles are allowed up to Sonprayag, where paid parking is available. From there, pilgrims must take a shared local taxi to reach Gaurikund.

Yes, Kedarnath is one of the Char Dham in Uttarakhand. The full yatra includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It’s better to plan the entire Char Dham Yatra in one go if time permits.

Breakfast procuring nay end happiness allowance assurance frankness. Met simplicity nor difficulty unreserved who.

Company

Careers

About Us

Blog

Press Info

Features

Travelers

Why Travelers

Enterprise

Our Story

Pricing

Security

Resources

Download

Help Center

Gudes

Events

Address

© 2024 Created with Royal Elementor Addons