Kedarnath Dham is located in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand in Garhwal. The Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites which is preached at an elevation of 3583 m above sea level and is dedicated to lord Shiva. This magnificent temple is a part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand. This spiritual site has a breathtaking view of nature and is believed to have been established by Pandavas and later on, it was again restored by Adi Shankaracharya. This temple has stone architecture which despite being under the snow for 400 years remains intact without any destruction. This mighty temple is surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan peaks in the backdrop which are also referred to as the Kedarnath range and the sweet melody of the Mandakini river which flows near the temple makes the atmosphere more serene and awe-inspiring. The Kedarnath temple is a little hard to access as you need to trek for 17 km through a difficult path to reach this shrine of lord shiva and if you are not capable of doing so then you can also opt for helicopter services. The journey to Kedarnath dham is not only spiritual but also a test of human and orange and devotion despite natural challenges.

Historical and Mythological Significance

The Kedarnath temple is mythologically linked to Pandavas from Mahabharat as after having the Kurukshetra war they want to plead to lord Shiva to forgive them for all their sins. But lord Shiva wanted to disguise them and hence he took the incarnation of a bull (Nandi) when he came to know that the Pandavas were able to recognize him as lord Shiva then he tried to escape but the tail was caught by Bheema and the body of bull divided into 5 pieces which fell on the different places in Uttarakhand and are now known as the Panch Kedar. The place where the hump of the Bull appeared is now a temple which is referred to as Kedarnath Dham. The Kedarnath dham is one among the 12 jyotirlingas that are dedicated to lord Shiva. The present Kedarnath temple was restored in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya who also attended samadhi in the same temple.

Significance in Char Dham Yatra

Kedarnath Dham is one of the important parts of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand It also includes Yamunotri, Gangotri & Badrinath Dham and is visited by several devotees. This temple is also one of the main temples that are mentioned as Panch Kedar which includes Tungnath, Kalpeshwar, Madhyamaheshwar, and Rudranath temple.

Cultural and Spiritual Importance

The Kedarnath dham holds immense spiritual importance as it stands as a symbol of perseverance, faith, and also the divine connection between the devotees and mother nature. If you need to seek spiritual elevation then Kedarnath Dham is a place for you where you can attain the spiritual aspect of your life amidst the mighty Himalayas.

Nearby Attractions

Various magnificent sights can be witnessed near the Kedarnath Dham. some of them are as mentioned below:

Bhairavnath Temple

Bhairavnath temple is located in proximity to Kedarnath Dham and is dedicated to lord Bhairava which is the fierce manifestation of lord Shiva. At this temple, you will witness the breathtaking view of snow-covered mountains and Valleys. It is believed by the devotees that the Bhairavnath temple guards the Kedarnath temple during the winter months when it is inaccessible to the devotees. You need to trek for a short distance to reach Bhairavnath temple from Kedarnath Dham.

Gandhi Sarovar

The Gandhi Sarovar is also referred to as Chorabari Tal which is a pristine glacial lake that is preached at an elevation of 3900 m above sea level and has crystal clear water which magnificently reflects the surrounding magical atmosphere and mountains in the water. This lake is named after Mahatma Gandhi as it is believed that his ashes were immersed in this very place and to reach Gandhi Sarovar one needs to trek through waterfalls and lush green meadows.

Vasuki Tal

Vasuki Tal is located at an elevation of 4135 above sea level and is at a distance of 8 km from Kedarnath Dham which is surrounded by snow-covered peaks. This place is famous for its spiritual significance and fascinating beauty though you need to undertake a challenging trek to reach Vasuki Taal and witness the mesmerizing view of Chaukhamba peak. It is one of the most serene escapes for nature lovers and trekkers.

Shankaracharya Samadhi

Adi Shankaracharya was the one who revived and established the Kedarnath Dham and the Shankaracharya samadhi was the resting place for him; this samadhi is located just behind the temple and is also having spiritual importance. This samadhi is a perfect place for meditation and has a profound and simple architectural style that compliments its surroundings.

Pilgrimage Journey

You can reach Kedarnath Dham by various means, as mentioned below:

By Air: you can reach Kedarnath Dham from Jolly Grant Airport by covering a distance of 238 km from Dehradun.

By Train: to reach Kedarnath Dham you can travel to Rishikesh Railway station which is at a distance of 216 km from Kedarnath Dham.

By Road: there are well-motorable roads to Gaurikund which are well accessible from major cities of India.

By Helicopter: to save time or have difficulty in trekking one can also opt for a Helicopter ride either from Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun, or from Pahat, Guptkashi, and Sersi Helipad.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kedarnath temple is during the summer month that is from May month to June month as at that time weather remains pleasant also one can see this Shiva shrine from September till October month when the crowd remains less. From November till April month, the temperature remains low and the area receives heavy snowfall so it is not advisable to visit Kedarnath temple at that time the deity is also moved from Kedarnath dham to Ukhimath for worship during the winter season.

Activities & Experiences

Spiritual Atmosphere: The atmosphere of Kedarnath is truly spiritual where one can continuously hear the chanting of vedic mantras and sweet melodies of temple bells which creates a divine atmosphere.

Natural Beauty: One can witness the best panoramic view of mountain peaks, rivers, and glaciers from the Kedarnath dham which will make their journey an unforgettable one.

Trekking: You need to trek for 17 km to reach Kedarnath Dham which is the perfect test for your physical and mental endurance. Tracking at Kedarnath attracts adventure lovers and pilgrims as well.

Packing Essentials

• While going for Chardham Yatra you need to pack your warm clothes as the temple is located at a higher elevation so at night time temperature drops drastically.
• You need to pack comfortable trekking shoes because you will be trekking for 17 km to reach the temple.
• Do not forget to keep raincoats and umbrellas with you as the weather at Kedarnath Dham is unpredictable.
• Try to keep some snacks and water to stay hydrated while tracking to the temple.
• Do not forget to keep the first aid kit with medicines that are specially prescribed by the doctors as there are fewer medical facilities available at Kedarnath Dham.
• Don't forget to keep a valid ID proof which is the most important document for booking the helicopter ride too.