Location
• State: Uttarakhand, India
• District: Rudraprayag
• Altitude: ~3,583 meters (11,755 ft) above sea level
• Coordinates: Near the head of the Mandakini River, in the Garhwal Himalayan range Kedarnath is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites and a major stop on the Chota Char Dham Yatra (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath).
Religious Significance
• The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
• It is also the most important among the Panch Kedar temples (Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, Kalpeshwar, Kedarnath).
• Belief: The temple was originally built by the Pandavas to seek Lord Shiva’s forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war. Later, Adi Shankaracharya renovated it in the 8th century.
• The temple is considered a place of moksha (liberation) and attracts lakhs of devotees every year.
Kedarnath Temple Architecture
• Built from massive stone slabs on a high rectangular platform.
• Constructed in traditional Katyuri-style architecture.
• The sanctum (garbha griha) houses a conical-shaped lingam of Lord Shiva, unlike the usual cylindrical shape.
• The temple survived multiple natural disasters, including the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, which destroyed the town but spared the shrine miraculously.
Pilgrimage Journey
• Yatra Season: May to October (temple remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall; idol is shifted to Ukhimath).
• Trek: 16–18 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, either on foot, pony, mule, or palanquin.
• Helicopter Services: Available from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi to Kedarnath.
• Surroundings: Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, Mandakini river valley, and stunning Himalayan views.
Nearby Attractions
• Bhairavnath Temple (protector deity of Kedarnath, located nearby).
• Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar): High-altitude lake ~3 km trek.
• Vasuki Tal: A glacial lake ~8 km trek from Kedarnath.
• Triyuginarayan Temple: Believed to be the wedding place of Shiva & Parvati.
• Guptkashi & Ukhimath: Important religious halts before Kedarnath.
Challenges
• High altitude (risk of altitude sickness).
• Unpredictable weather (snowfall, landslides, cold winds).
• Trek can be physically demanding; preparation is recommended.
Interesting Facts
• The temple is more than 1,200 years old.
• The lingam inside is said to be self-manifested (swayambhu).
• During winters, Lord Kedarnath’s idol is worshipped at Ukhimath.
• In the 2013 disaster, a massive boulder stopped just behind the temple, diverting floods and
protecting it – now revered as “Divya Shila”.
Best Time to Visit
• May – June (Summer): Pleasant weather, best for trekking. Snow starts melting, clear skies.
• September – October (Post-Monsoon): Clear views, fewer crowds. Excellent for photography.
• Avoid: July–August (heavy monsoon, landslides, cloudbursts).
• Winters (Nov – April): Temple is closed due to snow; idol shifts to Ukhimath.
