An important temple of Hindus Lord Shiva, situated on an elevation of 3,580 meters or 11,755 feet from the surface in Garhwal Himalayas near river Mandakini, state of Uttarakhand in India, is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is working only on days from April/Akshaya Tritiya, Kartik Purnima (November). Winters, and the godling is shifted to Ukhimath for religious ceremonial purpose.
if you are planning to visit Kedarnath in this article will be very useful for you because in this article, I will tell you how to reach Kedarnath, how to have darshan there, what precautions to take, how many days you should plan for the trip, how many kilometers of trekking is required, what are the arrangements for hotel or tent stays near the temple, what transport options are available for sightseeing, and if you want to take a helicopter, what are the arrangements for that. At the end of the article, we will also discuss the total cost for an individual or a couple for the Kedarnath trip. So, stay tuned, and I will explain everything in detail to make your Kedarnath Dham trip convenient and cost-effective.
According to a myth the temple was constructed by the Pandavas as a reward for pleasing Lord Shiva through their prayers and to remember him in thier every pryer. It is one of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage site which is very famous and it is the highest among the twelve Jyotirlingas which are situated in india. In order to reach the temple one has to undertake an uphill trekpking through their legs oer the can take donkey of 22 kilometers from Gaurikund. Services such as ponies and mules are available to assist the pilgrims on the way.
Draksharamam Temple 2026: Timings, Kumkum Archana
Overview of the Kedarnath temple
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, India |
| Altitude | 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) |
| Best Time to Visit | May to June and September to October |
| Temple Opening Date | Late April or early May |
| Temple Closing Date | November |
| Mode of Transport | Trekking, Helicopter, Pony, Palanquin |
| Nearest Airport | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (approx. 239 km) |
| Nearest Railway Station | Rishikesh (approx. 229 km) |
| Trek Distance | 16 km from Gaurikund |
| Starting Point | Gaurikund |
| Accommodation | Guest houses, hotels, tents, and dharamshalas in Gaurikund and Kedarnath |
| Permits Required | Biometric registration (can be done online or at various points en route) |
| Major Attractions | Kedarnath Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Vasuki Tal, Shankaracharya Samadhi |
| Weather Conditions | Cold and unpredictable; heavy snowfall in winters |
| Essential Items | Warm clothing, trekking shoes, raincoat, first aid kit, torch, personal medication |
| Health Advisory | High-altitude acclimatization recommended; consult a doctor if you have health conditions |
What do People Find at the Kedarnath Temple
Puja Slots:
- The Kedarnath and Badarinath temples let you attend puja.
- The number of puja slots available for Kedarnath is 17 and Badarinath has 34.
- People can start booking for puja celebrations from July 29, 2025.
Helicopter Tickets:
- Riders can use helicopters to get to Kedarnath.
- How much you pay for a ticket depends on your departure location, the class of your seat and whether the train is busy or not.
- Flying by helicopter usually costs about INR 7,000 to INR 12,000 per person.
- One can buy a pass for VIP darshan at Kedarnath Temple for Rs. 1100 per person.
- The cost of return tickets from the Sersi sector is Rs. 5,498.
Yatra Formalities:
- Handle all the official matters that must be completed before traveling.
- Visit the official website for information about any changes because of COVID or similar factors.
How to Reach Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
The first thing we’ll discuss is how to reach Kedarnath Jyotirlinga. To reach Kedarnath, you first need to arrive at the nearest railway station or airport.
By Train
If you are traveling by train, the closest railway station is Haridwar Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities and states. From Haridwar, you can travel by road to finally reach Kedarnath. Alternatively, there is another railway station in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, from where you can also travel by road to reach Kedarnath. Or you can come to Rishikesh and from Rishikesh, you can directly reach Kedarnath Dham.
By Flight
If we talk about the second option, friends, that is by flight. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant International Airport in Dehradun. From Dehradun, you can reach Kedarnath Dham by flight.
Kedarnath darshan visit 1st time
have a great darshan, follow the above instructions carefully to have a great darshan