Shri Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

At a glance

• Deity: Lord Shiva as Kedarnath (Lord Shiva), one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, one of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand and first of the Panch Kedar.
• Location: near the source of the Mandakini, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, at about 3,583 m.
• Managed by: Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).
• Season: opens around Akshaya Tritiya (late April or May) and closes on Bhai Dooj in October–November. In 2026 the doors opened on 22 April.
• Registration: mandatory for every pilgrim on the Uttarakhand government portal registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
• Official website: badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in, for poojas, opening and closing dates.

The legend

After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Shiva to atone for killing their kin. Shiva avoided them and hid as a bull among cattle in the Himalaya. Bhima recognised him and caught hold of the bull as it sank into the earth; only its hump remained above ground at Kedarnath, which is why the linga here is an irregular, hump-shaped rock rather than a smooth pillar. The other parts of the bull appeared at the four other Panch Kedar shrines: Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. Adi Shankaracharya is said to have revived the temple in the eighth century, and his samadhi shrine stands just behind it.

The 2013 flood and Bhim Shila

In June 2013 a cloudburst and glacial-lake burst sent a catastrophic flood through Kedarnath, destroying much of the town and killing thousands. A large boulder came to rest just behind the temple and diverted the debris around it; the temple itself survived. Pilgrims now revere that rock as Bhim Shila. The town and trek route have since been rebuilt with new walls, ghats and facilities.

Darshan

• The temple opens early in the morning and closes at night, with a break in the afternoon. Morning darshan allows touching the linga and offering abhishek; evening darshan is of the decorated deity. Check current timings with BKTC.
• Poojas such as Rudrabhishek can be booked on the BKTC website; prior registration is required.
• In winter, the deity's festival image (utsav murti) moves to the Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath, where worship continues until the doors reopen.

How to reach

• Road head: drive to Sonprayag via Rishikesh, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi; shared jeeps run from Sonprayag to Gaurikund.
• Trek: about 16 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath on a paved but steep path. Ponies, palkis (palanquins) and pithus (porters) are available at regulated rates.
• Helicopter: shuttle flights from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi; book only on the official IRCTC portal heliyatra.irctc.co.in.
• Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun; nearest railhead: Rishikesh.

Safety at altitude

• Acclimatise: spend a night at Guptkashi or Sonprayag before the trek, and walk slowly.
• Carry warm layers and rain gear in every season; weather changes within minutes.
• Elderly pilgrims and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor first; medical posts along the route offer oxygen and check-ups.
• Follow official advisories and the IMD weather forecast, especially in the monsoon.

Festivals and season

The opening of the doors, its date fixed each Mahashivratri at Ukhimath, and the closing on Bhai Dooj are both grand ceremonies with the doli procession. Crowds peak in May–June and again in September–October; the monsoon months bring landslide risk.

Practical tips

• Register early and carry the registration slip and ID on the route.
• Start the trek at dawn to reach before the afternoon clouds.
• Combine with Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri for the full Char Dham yatra.
• Chant Om Namah Shivaya on the climb, as countless pilgrims do.

Frequently asked questions

When is Kedarnath open?

From around Akshaya Tritiya (late April or May) until Bhai Dooj in October–November. The exact opening date is announced on Mahashivratri; in 2026 it was 22 April.

Is registration compulsory?

Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the Uttarakhand government's portal before the yatra.

How long is the Kedarnath trek?

About 16 km one way from Gaurikund, usually 6 to 10 hours depending on fitness.

How do I book the helicopter?

Only on the official IRCTC heli-yatra website. Other sites claiming to sell tickets are frauds.

Where is Kedarnath worshipped in winter?

At the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where the utsav murti stays until the doors reopen.