Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Main God
Lord Shiva
Timings
4:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Kedarnath
Type
JYOTIRLINGA
Begin the 16 km trek from Gaurikund early morning (4-5 AM recommended). The trail passes through Rambara and Linchauli with rest stops, tea stalls, and medical aid points. Alternatively, take a pony, palki, or helicopter.
After reaching Kedarnath, rest and acclimatize. Join the darshan queue at the designated area. Peak season queues can be 3-6 hours. VIP passes available. Aarti timings are fixed and special.
Enter the ancient stone temple to view the triangular rock formation representing the hump (Prisht) of Lord Shiva in bull form. Touch the rock and offer prayers. The inner sanctum is small and intimate.
Visit the reconstructed Samadhi (memorial) of Adi Shankaracharya behind the temple. According to tradition, Shankaracharya attained samadhi here at age 32 after establishing the Char Dhams.
Visit Bhairav Temple (1.5 km), the massive rock that protected the temple during the 2013 floods, and Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar) lake (3 km trek). Attend the evening aarti for a deeply moving experience.
Kedarnath, near Mandakini River, Rudraprayag District, Uttarakhand 246445
By Bus
GMOU buses and shared taxis from Rishikesh to Gaurikund via Rudraprayag and Guptkashi. Sonprayag (5 km before Gaurikund) is the last motorable point with mandatory shuttle service to Gaurikund.
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (250 km to Gaurikund). Helicopter services from Phata, Sirsi, and Guptkashi to Kedarnath helipad (advance booking essential).
By Rail
Rishikesh Railway Station (216 km to Gaurikund) and Haridwar Junction (240 km) are the nearest major railway stations.
trekInfo
16 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (6-8 hours up, 4-5 hours down). The trail is well-maintained with rest stops at Rambara (7 km), Linchauli (9 km), and the base camp. Ponies (INR 3,000-5,000), palki/doli (INR 5,000-15,000), and helicopter (INR 7,000-12,000 per person) are alternatives. The trek gains 1,500m elevation from 2,000m to 3,583m.
Local Transport
Mandatory shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund (5 km). From Gaurikund, trek 16 km or take pony/doli/palki. Helicopter services available (booking months in advance recommended).
Gaurikund
17 km (trek start point)
Hot water springs and the starting point of the Kedarnath trek. Believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance.
Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar)
3 km from Kedarnath
A glacial lake at 3,900m altitude where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed. Offers stunning Himalayan views.
Bhairavnath Temple
500 m from Kedarnath Temple
Dedicated to Bhairavnath, the guardian deity of Kedarnath valley. Devotees visit here after Kedarnath darshan to complete the pilgrimage.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
Behind Kedarnath Temple
The memorial of Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher-saint who revived the Kedarnath shrine. Rebuilt after the 2013 floods.
Triyuginarayan Temple
25 km from Sonprayag
Believed to be the wedding venue of Lord Shiva and Parvati. An eternal flame burns here since the divine marriage. Part of the Panch Kedar circuit.
