Situated in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand in India, Kedarnath Dham is one of the most sacred temples for Hindus. Moreover, Kedarnath is one of the temples of the Chota Chardham Yatra circuit of Uttarakhand, one of the temples of the Panch Kedars, and also one of the twelve jyotirlingas of India. The temple has a rich history associated with it and there are many myths surrounding the Kedarnath Dham. Besides that, the Kedarnath temple has stood against the test of time as the temple. Despite being hit with several natural disasters, the temple remains unaffected.
Several pilgrims undertake the Kedarnath Yatra and undergo the strenuous trek of 16 kilometers to reach the temple. The temple remains accessible to the general public for a period of six months. However, for the rest six months, the temple remained closed due to heavy snowfall causing blockages. If you are planning to visit the Kedarnath Dham in 2024, then here are some places to visit in Kedarnath that you consider visiting.
18 Places To Visit in Kedarnath
1. Kedarnath Temple
During your visit to Kedarnath, you will certainly be visiting the Kedarnath Dham. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and situated at an elevation of 3,583 meters, the temple is over 1000 years old. Furthermore, the temple’s architecture features large, heavy, and evenly cut grey slab stones and is set against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath peak adding to the beauty of this region.
The temple worships Lord Shiva in the Sadashiva form and the conical lingam makes it a unique temple as compared to other Shiva Temples. To reach the temple, pilgrims need to trek for 16 km. The trek can be difficult and tiresome. Yet the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter services makes it convenient for pilgrims to reach the temple and seek blessings from God.
2. Gandhi Sarovar or Chorabari Tal
Next on the list of places to visit in Kedarnath Dham comes the Gandhi Sarovar or Chorabari Tal, which is a short trek away from the Kedarnath Temple. So this stunning and picturesque glacial lake, located at an elevation of 3,900 m and 3 km away from the Kedarnath Temple, presents scenic panoramas and is also considered a holy place. Hence, you may consider visiting this place.
3. Bhairav Temple
Next on the list of Kedarnath Yatra places, you can consider visiting the Bhairavnath Temple, which is close to the temple complex. Considered to be the guardian deity of Kedarnath, this temple also holds great religious importance. Bhairav is the fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva and is associated with devastation and destruction. After a moderate trek, pilgrims can reach the temple and seek blessings.
4. Vasuki Tal
Vasuki Tal is a high-altitude lake which is situated 8 km from Kedarnath. Located amidst snow-clad peaks and providing a serene atmosphere, Vasuki Tal is perfect for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. It requires some steep climbing to get there but the views one gets to see of the Chaukhamba peaks and the peaceful waters of the lake are magnificent. Hence, it is one of the best places to visit in Kedarnath and is becoming popular with trekkers and adventure enthusiasts alike.
5. Gaurikund
Gaurikund, the starting point of the trek to Kedarnath, is one of the religious places when visiting Kedarnath Dham. This place is considered to be the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance to please Lord Shiva. Hot water springs at Gaurikund are the main center of attraction, tourists take bath in spiritual water before they go for the Kedarnath temple trek.
6. Shankaracharya Samadhi
The famous philosopher and theologian of the 8th century Adi Shankaracharya it is said attained the final samadhi at Kedarnath. Just behind the Kedarn Nath temple, there is Shankaracharya Samadhi which is a quiet place where people go and pay homage to this great saint. This samadhi is dedicated to the spiritual reforms made by Shankaracharya in rejuvenating Hinduism and initiating the Char Dham Yatra. Do not miss this place when booking your Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter.
7. Triyuginarayan Temple
Triyuginarayan Temple is approximately 25 km from Kedarnath is the place where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. The temple has an eternal flame, which they claim has been burning from the time they got married. It is beautiful and historical, which makes it one of the great places to visit in Kedarnath.
8. Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a small village situated at the meeting point between the Mandakini and Basuki rivers. It is an essential visit for any traveler on his/ her way to the Kedarnath shrine. The pleasant atmosphere, beautiful landscape, and the feeling of being in proximity to the divine make Sonprayag a great spot for tourists to take a break before moving forward on the trek.
9. Rudra Cave
Next, on the list of places to visit in Kedarnath is the Rudra Cave. A large stone meditation cave, Rudra Cave is present 1 km from the Kedarnath Temple in the state of Uttarakhand. It came into the limelight when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed meditation here prior to the 2019 general election. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) manages this cave and there is an arrangement of accommodation only for one person.
10. Agastyamuni Temple
Located at an altitude of 1000 m, the town is famous for Agastyamuni Temple, dedicated to Maharshi Priya Ranjan and presiding sage Agastya who is said to have meditated for almost a year. This temple is famous as Agasteshwar Mahadev locally. Further, there are beautiful designs carved on the walls of the temple depicting the Hindu gods and goddesses. So this is one of the religious places to visit in Kedarnath.
11. Chopta
Chopta is known as the Mini Switzerland of India, Chopta Hill station is nearly 80 Kilometers from Kedarnath. It also acts as the starting point of Tungnath Temple and the famous Chandrashila peak. Chopta is a beautiful place with thick grasslands, trees and a beautiful view of the Himalayas. Hence, this makes it among the most stunning places to visit in Kedarnath for nature lovers and trekkers.
12. Chandrashila Trek
Tungnath is a small village in the Indian State of Uttarakhand which is famous for the trail of Chopta Chandrashila Trek. This village is located at a height of 2680 m and provides views of snowy mountains and evergreen forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron. This is one of the simplest treks in the Himalayan region and therefore suitable for first-time trekkers too. From Tungnath temple up to Chandrashila, the trek is around 1.5 km. So this is one of the best and most scenic places to visit in Kedarnath.
13. Tungnath Temple
Tunganath Temple is located at an altitude of 3,680 ft the temple of Tungnath is one of the five temples of Panch Kedar. Also known as the world’s highest Shiva temple, this temple lies at a distance of 3 kilometers from Chopta. This is also one of the famous places to visit in Kedarnath and thousands of devotees visit this place in a year. This temple is over 1000 years old and worships Lord Shiva.
The temple architecture is in the Nagara style where inside the sanctum, only ten devotees can accommodate. Adi Shankaracharya discovered this temple. According to the epic story, Pandavas constructed the temple to seek forgiveness and blessings from Lord Shiva for having killed their brothers.
14. Ukhimath
Ukhimath is a picturesque town and is in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, located at an elevation of 1311 meters and is about 41 km from Rudraprayag. The key tourist attraction of this destination is the Omkareshwar temple, which is also one of the oldest in the area. It is also the winter adobe of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheswar for about six months in winter.
15. Phata
Phata is a small village in the district of Rudraprayag. It is also a popular halt during the Kedarnath Yatra as Phata includes the Helipad for Kedarnath Temple via Helicopter service. It is also close to some of the famous tourist destinations in Uttarakhand.
16. Guptkashi
Guptkashi is a small town on the way to Kedarnath, on the banks of river Mandakini in the Garhwal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district, at an elevation of 1319 meters. Also, this is one of the religious places to visit in Kedarnath.
The name Guptkashi translates into Hidden Kashi and the town has legends linked to the storyline of Mahabharata. Some legends have it that after Pandavas had won the battle of Mahabharata they wanted to meet Lord Shiva and seek forgiveness for their misdeed.
However, Lord Shiva did not wish to be seen by them and initially went into hiding in the town of Guptkashi. But then he fled still higher up the valley to Kedarnath. Guptkashi has religious significance in Uttarakhand where there are significant temples such as Vishwanath Temple and Ardhnareshwara Temple.
17. Mayali Pass
About 15 km away from Kedarnath and at an altitude of about 5300 meters is Mayali Pass in the Bhilangana Valley. So this pass provides the scenic beauty of the Masar Tal and the Vasuki Tal and thus, remains one of the best places to visit in Kedarnath. This is one of the most familiar trekking trails for the trekkers as it was once used by the pilgrim to go to Gangotri and Kedarnath.
18. Deoria Taal
This beautiful lake lies between large mountain ranges that are bright green and is located near the Uttarakhand town of Saari. This lake is at an elevation of 2,438 meters above sea level and the only way to get there is to travel three kilometers up from Saari and it is one of the most beautiful treks to undertake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1). What is the best time to visit in Kedarnath?
The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to October, except during the monsoon months of July and August. The temple opens in late April or early May and closes in early November. During these months, the weather is relatively pleasant, making it ideal for trekking and sightseeing.
Q2). Is the Kedarnath trek difficult?
The Kedarnath trek is considered moderate to challenging. It is a 16 km trek from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath Temple, with steep inclines and high altitude. It can be challenging, especially for those not accustomed to trekking or high altitudes. However, the path is well-marked and has rest stops along the way.
Q3). What are the spiritual significance and history of Kedarnath Temple?
Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is considered one of the holiest Hindu temples. It is believed to have been built by the Pandavas and revived by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The temple’s spiritual significance is rooted in the legend of the Mahabharata, where Lord Shiva eluded the Pandavas by taking the form of a bull and later, reappeared at Kedarnath.
Q4). How long does it take to complete the Kedarnath trek?
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Temple typically takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on your pace and fitness level. The trek is 16 km long and involves a steep ascent, so it’s advisable to start early in the morning to avoid trekking in the dark.
