About Kedarnath Temple
A stone Shiva temple at 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the most remote of the four Char Dham shrines, approached only on foot or by pony along a 16 km alpine trail from Gaurikund.
History
Legend attributes the original temple to the Pandavas, who sought Shiva's forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war; the present granite structure was rebuilt in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have attained samadhi here at age 32. Buried in snow for 400 years during a mini ice age, the temple re-emerged intact — the yellow lichen line still marks where the ice sat. In June 2013 a glacial lake burst upstream at Chorabari Tal, sending a wall of water and boulders through the valley; the temple survived because a house-sized boulder (now revered as the Bhim Shila) came to rest directly behind it and diverted the torrent, killing over 5,700 pilgrims but leaving the sanctum untouched.
Best Time to Visit
May to June, September to October
Travel Tips
- Register for the Yatra at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — mandatory since 2023
- Trek is 16 km from Gaurikund — start before 5 a.m.; ponies ₹3,500, palki ₹8,000
- Helicopter from Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi: ₹8,000–₹12,000 return, book via IRCTC heliyatra portal
- Get a medical check-up at Sonprayag — high-altitude sickness is the #1 reason for evacuations
Famous Food in Kedarnath Temple
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Triyuginarayan Temple — where Shiva-Parvati were married, 25 km before Gaurikund
- Tungnath — the highest Shiva shrine in the world (3,680 m), a day's detour
- Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar — remote Panch Kedar companions
How to Reach Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is located in Uttarakhand, India at coordinates 30.7346°N, 79.0669°E. You can reach Kedarnath Temple by air (nearest airport in Uttarakhand), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Kedarnath Temple?
- The best time to visit Kedarnath Temple is May to June, September to October.
- What are the top travel tips for Kedarnath Temple?
- Register for the Yatra at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — mandatory since 2023. Trek is 16 km from Gaurikund — start before 5 a.m.; ponies ₹3,500, palki ₹8,000. Helicopter from Phata/Sersi/Guptkashi: ₹8,000–₹12,000 return, book via IRCTC heliyatra portal. Get a medical check-up at Sonprayag — high-altitude sickness is the #1 reason for evacuations.
- What food is famous in Kedarnath Temple?
- Famous dishes in Kedarnath Temple include: Kadhi chawal and aloo ke gutke at Gaurikund dhabas, Bal mithai and singori from Dehradun en route, Ramdana (amaranth) laddus sold at the temple prasad counter.
