The most popular place among religious people is a small part of Char Dham yatra. Kedarnath is situated in Rudraprayag district of state Uttarakhand. The land of Lord Shiva is located at a high altitude of 3584 mt near the head of the Mandakini river. The majestic Kedarnath temple is surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges of Garhwal. Thousands of pilgrimages flooded Kedarnath. The beautiful backdrop of Rhododendron woods, icy mountains. This blend of devotion and adventure makes this place incredible. The season plays a vital role in the visit of Kedarnath yatra, as the temple is shut down almost for 6 months.
Weather
As situated at a high altitude the weather in summers is very cool but comfortable however in winters it’s going to be tricky due to extreme weather. The summer is very pleasant for sightseeing and the nearby villages are also in the full bloom of festivals. Monsoon is again filled with heavy rainfall. In 2013 it was a disaster. Winters are like everything is on halt. It’s never easy in winters to be at Kedarnath.
Best Time to Visit Kedarnath
Right from the beginning of summer up to the onset of monsoon is the best season. It’s better to avoid the winter season. It’s very harsh and the temple is not open for tourists and visitors. So, the best months are May, June, September, and October to visit.
How to Reach Kedarnath and kedarkantha
The connectivity to Kedarnath is very well with important towns in Uttarakhand.
By Air
The airport which is close to Dehradun is Jolly Grant Airport, which has good connectivity with Delhi and daily flights. Taxis are easily available from the airport.
By Road
The last motorable point is Gaurikund prior to Kedarnath, from here 16 km trek will be there to reach Gaurikund. Major destinations are connected to Gaurikund in North India. Haridwar, Hrishikesh, and Rudraprayag are well connected by bus.
By Rail
The nearest railway station from Kedarnath is Hrishikesh, almost a distance of 216km. From Gaurikund taxis and buses are easily available.
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What to do In Kedarnath
Kedarnath Temple
One of the major Jyotirlinga among the 12 is situated at Kedarnath. One will lose all sense of time here. There is so much devotion and determination to those who visit the Kedarnath temple. For many years this place has been worshipped by the devotees. Inside the temple, you will witness lots of images of Parvati and Pandavas. The divine aura of the temple is completely striking at the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Gandhi Sarovar
Also known as Chorabai Tal, this pristine lake is almost 4 km from the Kedarnath temple. It is believed that some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in this lake.
Kalimath
On the banks of Saraswati, this religious place is located. At a height of 1800mt, this powerhouse is among 108 Shakti Peeth in India. Goddess Kali is located in Kalimath.
Bhairav Temple
On the east side of Kedarnath, this Bhairav baba temple is located. The view from this temple is the magnificent Himalayas.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
The great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya has taken Nirwana to this place at the age of 32. Their samadhi is situated here.
Best Places to Stay Near Kedarnath
There are many facilities which are run by the government for the tourists and pilgrimages. It’s a huge facility to accommodate around 1000 people. Also, many private facilities are around to stay.
Best Places to Eat
Small facilities are there to eat nothing big or fancy you will get here. Nonveg is prohibited. North Indian food is available.
Tips to Travel Kedarnath
- The total trek is almost 16km long and it will take around 6 hrs to complete
- Try to start the trek early in the morning
- Remember to eat healthy things throughout the journey.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- In many places, photography is not allowed in the temple premises. So, be careful about the rules of authorities
Nature and devotion both go hand in hand at Kedarnath. There will be inner peace once you come here. This place has very much importance as a spiritual place. When you leave Kedarnath you will get filled with spiritual vibes all over.