Kedarnath Dham is situated in the picturesque Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand, India and is of great religious importance. Also, the Kedarnath Dham is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and it is revered as an important pilgrimage center belonging to the Chota Char Dham yatra. Every year, thousands of devotees make arduous pilgrimages to the divine darshan of the deity residing in the Kedarnath Temple, which is at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level.
If you are planning for the Kedarnath Yatra in 2024, here is some information you should know.
Kedarnath Dham Overview
Kedarnath Dham, featuring an ancient stone temple and a stunning backdrop of snow-clad mountains, has a unique place in the Hindu religion. It is a thousand-year temple and constructed by Adi Shankaracharya as the place is believed to have existed as a temple built by the Pandavas. The deity worshiped here is a conical rock formation of Lord Shiva in the form of Sadashiva.
The trek to Kedarnath Yatra is quite challenging but it provides deep spiritual satisfaction. Pilgrims can either cover a distance of about 16 km from the base of Gaurikund or otherwise prefer to book the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter services. During the journey, the pilgrims get a chance to enjoy the beauty of the Mandakini River, the forest and the high mountains.
History of Kedarnath Dham
Many mythological and religious stories and beliefs are associated with the history of the Kedarnath Dham. It is a belief that the Pandavas wanted to offer prayers to Lord Shiva for redemption after the great war of Mahabharata. Shiva, however, escaped from them by assuming the form of a bull and thus hid himself in the Garhwal area. Shiva went down into the earth when Pandavas found him. However, his hump remained visible at the surface of the earth at Kedarnath. There is also the belief that other parts of Shiva emerged in other places, forming the Panch Kedar temples today, which are all located in Uttarakhand.
Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have built the temple in the 8th century AD. It is one of the oldest and only spiritual shrines that have survived all the natural disasters and still attracts millions. In the year 2013, the temple area was heavily flooded, but the shrine itself was not touched at all, which added to the belief of the pilgrims even further.
Now, let’s talk about the architecture of the Kedarnath Temple. The structure is a work of art constructed from large, heavy, evenly cut grey slabs of stones. The conical Shiva lingam is worshiped as the Lord in his Sadashiva form, and this makes a difference in the temple compared to the shrines of Shiva. So, the temple features a Garba Griha for worship and a mandap for assembling people and other pilgrims. Looking at the rich history and mythologies associated with the Kedarnath Temple, it is evident that the temple has stood the test of time.
Kedarnath Yatra Registration
For pilgrims to complete the Kedarnath Yatra, they need to complete the Chardham Yatra registration, which is mandatory. The Uttarakhand Government makes it mandatory to complete the registration process for the safety of the pilgrims and to manage the influx of tourists. Pilgrims can complete the registration process either online or offline. With the registration, you can’t enter the temples, but you can also avail yourself of helicopter services from reputable operators such as LIH Travel.
Here, we will mention the various ways you can complete the registration process:
Online Registration Process
To proceed with the Kedarnath Dham Yatra online registration process, pilgrims can visit the official website or download the required application. During the registration process, you need to enter details like name, contact details, mail ID, number of passengers traveling, name of each passenger, necessary ID and documents, and, if required, medical certificate.
To complete the online registration process, follow these steps:
- Go to https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/ website. There, you must complete the signup procedure, and proceed with the Kedarnath Yatra registration. You must input the travel dates, number of pilgrims, name, contact number, and the documents asked to complete the registration process.
- You can download the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app which is available for both iOS and Android apps. Then, you can proceed with the registration.
- Completing the Yatra registration is also easy with the help of WhatsApp. So send the message “Yatra” to the number 8394833833 and complete the steps.
After registration, you will receive a registration slip having a QR code and the slip has all the necessary information of the pilgrims.
Offline Registration
In case you wish to complete the offline Kedarnath Yatra registration, then you need to find offline centers that offer this facility. So you need to visit any of these offline centers, present your documents, and then complete the registration process. After the registration, they will receive the registration slip. So some of the offline centers are as follows:
- Haridwar Rahi Hotel
- Rishikesh ISBT
- Rishikesh Gurudwara
- Janki Chatti
- Sonprayag
- Barkot
- Hina (Uttarkashi)
- Pankhi
- Joshimath
- Gauri Kund
- Govind Ghat
Pilgrims must always carry this registration slip to the Kedarnath Temple as the verification will be done physically at the temple.
Best time to Visit Kedarnath
Planning your Kedarnath Yatra is important since the temple is at high altitudes and the weather there can be unpredictable. Pilgrims must note that the Kedarnath Temple remains open only for a period of six months from May till October/November and remains closed and inaccessible from November to March. The opening dates of the temples are always determined by the priests of Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar Temple and accordingly, after all the rituals, the temple opens for the general public.
In general, the temple opens around May which is the summer season at Kedarnath. So this is the best time for the Kedarnath Yatra. Generally, this is the period when the region experiences a high number of tourists so the region can be crowded. Also, accommodation options are also limited. Hence, you must do advance bookings. Besides that, the Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter services booking should also be done in advance. Hence, you should plan accordingly. The weather at Kedarnath is cool, clear, and the snow melts away, clearing the paths. Hence, May till June can be a good option for the Yatra.
The monsoon season, that ranges from June/July till September isn’t advisable for travel. So this is the period when the region experiences high rainfall, with huge possibilities of landslides and floods. Hence, avoid this period as you may experience great trouble.
Now the post-monsoon season, from September till October/November can also be a great period to plan the Kedarnath Yatra. So this is when the monsoon subsides, skies are clear, and the region transforms into greenery. Also, the crowd levels are low during this time and you can contact reputable helicopter operators like LIH Travel to book your Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
Places to Visit Near Kedarnath
There are several beautiful and religious destinations that one can explore around Kedarnath which makes the journey even more fulfilling. Some of the places that you can visit near Kedarnath Dham are:
Gaurikund
Gaurikund is the beginning point of the trek to Kedarnath with hot water springs and the Gauri Temple of Goddess Parvati. Legend has it that Parvati performed meditation for a long time here to win over Lord Shiva’s heart.
Vasuki Tal
This beautiful glacial lake is at a height of 4,150 m above sea level and to reach here one has to go through strenuous trekking from Kedarnath. So the trekking distance is about 8 km. The stunning clear blue water and the snow-capped mountains are a great sight to the eyes. Thus it makes for a rewarding trek experience during your Kedarnath Yatra.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
This is near Kedarnath Temple and it is the burial place of Adi Shankaracharya who is known to have constructed the temple. Moreover, this place honors Adi Shankaracharya and remembers him for his contribution to Hindu spirituality and philosophy.
Bhairav Temple
Situated a short distance from the main temple, this temple is dedicated to Bhairav, the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Bhairav protects the Kedarnath Temple during the winter months.
Triyuginarayan Temple
This temple is considered to be the marriage abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is situated approximately 25 km away from Kedarnath. Another attraction is an eternal flame that burns in front of the temple.
Things to Know Before You Visit Kedarnath
Before you proceed for the Kedarnath Yatra, there are certain things that pilgrims should keep in mind. These are as follows:
- Physical Fitness: The 16 km trek to Kedarnath Dham is one of the most challenging treks as one has to cover steep slopes and bumpy terrains to reach Kedarnath Temple. Hence, one should work on their physical health, build stamina, and prepare their bodies accordingly to undergo this trek. If you have health conditions, you should avoid trekking at such a high altitude.
- Acclimatization: Due to the high altitude, altitude sickness is very common and therefore appropriate measures to adapt to high altitude must be done.
- Packing Essentials: Carry only essentials; carry some warm clothes, proper trekking shoes, a raincoat and a First Aid Kit. Ensure that you have enough drinking water and energy-boosting foods and avoid junk food at any cost.
- Weather Preparedness: Conditions and climate in the Himalayas are more or less given to fluctuation at times. It is always advisable to check the weather forecast before planning for the trek.
- Travel Light: Since you will be trekking for most of the time, the best thing is to carry only what is necessary. Hence, take a backpack and carry only the essentials and your necessary medications with you.
- Emergency Contacts: Always note down the local authorities number who can help you during emergencies and it is always wise to travel in a group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1). What is the best time to visit Kedarnath Yatra?
The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to October. The Kedarnath temple opens in late April or early May and closes in late October or early November due to heavy snowfall in the region. The summer months of May to June and the post-monsoon months of September to October are particularly pleasant.
Q2). How can I reach Kedarnath Temple?
To reach Kedarnath, you can take a train or flight to Haridwar, Dehradun, or Rishikesh. From there, you can travel by road to Gaurikund, the last motorable point. The final stretch involves a 16-18 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple. Helicopter services are also available from various points like Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi.
Q3). How long does it take to complete the Kedarnath Yatra?
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath takes around 6-8 hours, depending on one’s pace and physical condition. The entire journey, including travel to and from Gaurikund, can take 2-4 days, depending on your starting point and itinerary.
Q4). Is there any age limit for Kedarnath Yatra?
There is no age limit to complete the Kedarnath Yatra.
