About Kedarnath Temple
Sixteen kilometres of alpine trail from Gaurikund. On foot or by pony, no other way in. The stone Shiva temple stands at 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and the most remote of the four Char Dham shrines.
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
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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.
How to reach Kedarnath Temple from major cities
Kedarnath Temple from Delhi
~370 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹245 · 7h 13m
- Train (3AC) ₹660 · 6h 41m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹680 · 7h 49m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹5,115 · 6h 59m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹245) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (6h 41m).
Kedarnath Temple from Lucknow
~587 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹360 · 10h 60m
- Train (3AC) ₹940 · 10h 8m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,605 · 11h 4m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,930 · 10h 55m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹360) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (10h 8m).
Kedarnath Temple from Jaipur
~665 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹400 · 12h 21m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,040 · 11h 23m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,810 · 12h 29m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹8,940 · 12h 20m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹400) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (11h 23m).
Kedarnath Temple from Ahmedabad
~1340 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,915 · 22h 11m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,780 · 22h 11m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,565 · 24h 46m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,025 · 4h 27m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,915) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 27m).
Kedarnath Temple from Kolkata
~1617 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,275 · 26h 38m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,300 · 26h 38m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹4,285 · 29h 49m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,025 · 4h 51m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,275) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 51m).
Kedarnath Temple from Mumbai
~1798 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,510 · 29h 31m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,635 · 29h 31m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,670 · 5h 7m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,510) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (5h 7m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple lies in Uttarakhand, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Dehradun, roughly 109 km away — most travellers route through Dehradun by air or rail before continuing on to Kedarnath Temple. Time your trip for May to June, September to October for the most comfortable weather.
Visitors from United States are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa — apply online a few days before you fly. all on-site costs are in Indian Rupees (₹); use the currency converter above to see each ticket tier in your home currency.
Attractions closest to Kedarnath Temple
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.
- Where is Kedarnath Temple located?
- Kedarnath Temple is in Uttarakhand, India, at 30.7346° N, 79.0669° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Dehradun, about 109 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Kedarnath Temple?
- Top attractions near Kedarnath Temple include Gangotri (about 31 km away), Badrinath Temple (about 41 km away), Auli (about 53 km away) — all easy to combine on a Uttarakhand trip.
- How to reach Kedarnath Temple from Delhi?
- Kedarnath Temple is about 370 km from Delhi. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹245, 7h 13m), Train (3AC) (~₹660, 6h 41m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹680, 7h 49m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹245) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (6h 41m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Kedarnath Temple from Lucknow?
- Kedarnath Temple is about 587 km from Lucknow. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹360, 10h 60m), Train (3AC) (~₹940, 10h 8m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,605, 11h 4m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹360) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (10h 8m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Kedarnath Temple from Jaipur?
- Kedarnath Temple is about 665 km from Jaipur. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹400, 12h 21m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,040, 11h 23m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,810, 12h 29m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹400) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (11h 23m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
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