Are you planning your pilgrimage tour to Kedarnath Mandir but are doubtful of its trekking difficulties as this Yatra requires perseverance and patience?

We’ve got you covered with all that it requires to complete your Yatra to Kedarnath! From accommodation to travel and darshan, we’ll plan everything for you at a reasonable price. This guide has covered all your queries including how to reach Kedarnath, places to visit around Kedarnath, when to visit Kedarnath, and so on. So, sit back and read this guide further to learn more about Kedarnath Temple Yatra for a comfortable experience.

About Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttrakhand, surrounded by the mighty Garhwal Himalayan Ranges which makes it a unique and incredible destination. As it is situated near the Mandakini River, Kedarnath Temple is known to be one of the sacred twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple also forms a part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra and the Panch Kedar temples of Lord Shiva; one of India's most popular pilgrimage destinations, a revered Hindu shrine, where millions of Shiva devotees flock to seek his blessings. 

Lord Shiva or Bholenath is the presiding deity of the temple, the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) of this temple houses a large conical rock formation where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a rock lingam, termed Swayambhu Linga (self-formed) or Jyotirlinga Kedarnath.

How can I reach Kedarnath Temple?

Are you wondering about how to reach Kedarnath Temple? Here’s how you can plan your Kedarnath journey by air, road, and train. 

Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Nearest railway station: Rishikesh

Last bus stand: Sonprayag

Kedarnath Temple by air 

Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the closest airport to Kedarnath, located 20 km from Dehradun downtown. No direct flights are available to Kedarnath, so if you plan to reach Kedarnath by air, you must catch a flight to Dehradun from your home location first. The distance between Dehradun Airport and Kedarnath is around 238 km. You have to hire a taxi/cab from the airport to reach Gaurikund, which is the base camp for Kedarnath Trek and also the last motorable road. The distance for the Kedarnath trek is only 16 km from Gaurikund.

Kedarnath Temple by road 

The major cities close to Kedarnath are Delhi, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Haridwar. The last drivable road from Kedarnath is Gaurikund from where the trek to Kedarnath initiates. 

You can choose any type of bus A/C sleeper, Volvo A/C, semi-sleeper buses, etc, both state-run and private buses are operational between Dehradun and Gaurikund. Buses/private vehicles from travel agencies stop by and drop off travellers at Sonprayag, the last bus station for Kedarnath. You need to take local transport from Sonprayag to Gaurikund to start your trek to Kedarnath further.   

Also, the Kedarnath to Badrinath distance is around 218 km. Pilgrims can hire a taxi/bus from Sonprayag or go via Rudraprayag as well. 

Popular road routes:

Haridwar–Rishikesh—Guptakashi—Gaurikund—Kedarnath (via Rishikesh, full-round circuit trip)

Delhi—Haridwar—Rishikesh—Ukhimath—Chopta—Kedarnath (via Delhi, full-round circuit trip)

Kedarnath Temple by train 

If you are planning to go via train, Rishikesh is the only nearest railway station to Kedarnath (200 km apart). It is almost a 3-hour long journey via cab from Rishikesh railway station to Kedarnath, hire a bus/taxi to reach Gaurikund further, and start trekking to Kedarnath. 

Kedarnath Temple by helicopter 

There are three major helipads for Kedarnath by helicopter route. Phata and Sersi are the nearest helipads among them all. 

1. Sahastradhara: It takes a 30-40 minute ride to reach Kedarnath from the Sahastradhara airport.
2. Sersi: It takes only 11 minutes to reach Kedarnath Dham from Sersi Helipad
3. Guptakashi: You have to take a 15-minute ride from Guptakashi helipad to Kedarnath. 
4. Phata: A 9-minute ride from Phata helipad to Kedarnath is all it takes to reach your destination. 

You can visit the official website of IRCTC (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) for Kedarnath helicopter booking. Or you can book your Kedarnath helicopter tour package with Trip To Temples at guaranteed best prices. 
 

When does the Kedarnath Yatra begin? 

Kedarnath Yatra starts in May every year as the temple gate opens during Akshay Tritiya in April and the dates are usually announced on Mahashivratri. This year, 2nd May 2025 is the opening date of Kedarnath Temple. The temple’s gate closes after Diwali, during Bhai dhooj for 6 months. The idol of Lord Shiva is shifted in a palanquin at the Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar Temple for a duration of 6 months i.e. from November to April. Baba Kedarnath is then worshipped at this temple for the rest of the months and brought back to the Kedarnath Temple during Akshay Tritiya (April). 

Aarti timings at Kedarnath Temple: 

Kedarnath Temple morning aarti time: 4: 00 AM
Kedarnath Temple evening aarti time: 7:00 PM

When should I visit Kedarnath Temple?

Planning your Kedarnath Yatra anytime soon? Here’s when you should plan to visit the holy shrine of Kedarnath Temple:

• April to June (summer)
  April to June is the best time to visit Kedarnath Temple as the weather usually remains pleasant. The months of April, May, and June are the peak season when Char Dham Yatra and Kedarnath Temple pilgrimage begins. If you are planning a Char Dham Yatra or a Kedarnath Yatra, then you should visit the shrine between April to June. 
• July to September (monsoon)
  July to September are the monsoon months and it’s usually not recommended to plan your yatra at this time. Heavy rainfalls can cause water-logging thereby obstructing the routes. It is advisable to avoid yatra during this time. 
• October to March (winter)
  Kedarnath Temple remains closed during the winter season due to heavy snowfall, so you won’t find any other way to Kedarnath Dham during this season. 

Major places to visit near Kedarnath 

Are you excited about Kedarnath Baba’s darshan? You must be, but Kedarnath town offers you a lot more than temple-hopping. The nearby tourist attractions of Kedarnath are a repository of rustic beauty and spirituality. Here are some of the best places to visit nearby Kedarnath so that you get the best spiritual experience with your pilgrimage tour:

• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
  Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi is one of the major tourist attractions in Kedarnath. Adi Shankaracharya—the Hindu philosopher and scholar attained samadhi at Kedarnath.
   
• Sonprayag
  Sonprayag is a quaint little village located in the Rudraprayag district, at the confluence of two rivers—Basuki and Mandakini Rivers. It shares a proximity with Kedarnath and Badrinath—the two sacred Char Dham Yatra places. 
   
• Gaurikund
  Gaurikund is the base camp or the starting point for trekking to Kedarnath. From Gaurikund, it is around 16 km long trek up to Kedarnath. 
   
• Shri Bhairavnath Temple
  Bhairavnath Temple is enclosed within the mighty Himalayan mountains and located at a distance of 500 m from the Kedarnath Temple. Shri Bhairavanath is the avatar of ‘Lord Shiva’ and he is worshipped here as the ‘custodian of Kedarnath’. 
   
• Chandrashila
  Chandrashila is a peak located in the Garhwal Himalayas, offering panoramic views of Nandadevi, Chaukhamba Peak, Bundarpunch, Kedar Peak, and Trisul. It is situated close to Chopta town, near the Tunganath Temple. 
   
• Guptakashi
  If you are seeking a tranquil escape on your Kedarnath Yatra, try adding Guptakashi to your Kedarnath Yatra. Perched atop the Garhwal Himalayas of the Rudraprayag district, Guptakashi is widely known for Vishwanath Temple, Manikarnik Kund, and Ardhanareshwar Temple. 
   
• Triyunginarayan Temple
  Triyunginarayan Temple is another one of the must-visit places around Kedarnath. Beyond being the sacred abode of Lord Vishnu, Triyunginarayan Temple is also famed for an eternal flame burning in front of the temple. According to the Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married here and the wedding was witnessed by Lord Vishnu.  
   
• Vasuki Tal
  Vasuki Tal is a crystal-clear high-altitude lake located close to the Kedarnath region and enveloped by the Garhwal Himalayas. The lake is quite popular amongst the trekkers and nature lovers alike. 
   
• Rudra Meditation Cave
  Kick-start your Kedarnath Yatra by adding a little dose of sublime spirituality to your journey. And what can be better than visiting the Kedarnath’s Rudra Meditation Cave? Individuals looking to focus on meditation and other spiritual practices can visit this cave during the yatra. 
   
• Badrinath Temple
  Badrinath Temple is one of the holiest Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The temple is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of the temple. The temple holds great spiritual significance for Vaishnavities (devotees of Lord Vishnu).
   
• Yamunotri Temple
  Yamunotri Temple is situated in Uttarkashi and is one of the four Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage sites. The temple houses an idol of the Goddess Yamuna made up of black marble. Yamunotri glacier in the Uttarkashi is the origin of the river Yamuna.
   
• Gangotri Temple
  Gangotri Temple is another one of the revered Hindu pilgrimage sites and one of the Char Dham Yatra places. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganges and has been drawing millions of pilgrims from around the world. Gangotri Dham is the source of the river Ganges. 

Ready for your Kedarnath Dham yatra? Stay tuned with us for more information about Char Dham Yatra, Kedarnath Darshan, and other pilgrimages. Get in touch with our travel team at +91-8510007751 to learn about the Kedarnath Yatra tour packages.