A high-Himalayan Jyotirlinga at 3,583 metres, reachable only on foot or by pony/helicopter, and one of the four sites of the Chota Char Dham circuit.
A high-Himalayan Jyotirlinga at 3,583 metres, reachable only on foot or by pony/helicopter, and one of the four sites of the Chota Char Dham circuit.
Tradition attributes the founding of the present temple to Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE, though the site's association with Shiva worship is believed to be considerably older, with connections to the Pandavas in the Mahabharata tradition. The temple has withstood centuries of harsh Himalayan winters, during which it is closed and the deity is ceremonially moved to Ukhimath. It gained global attention after the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods, which caused severe destruction in the surrounding town while the ancient temple structure itself remained largely intact.
Built from massive grey stone slabs in a simple, sturdy style suited to the extreme Himalayan climate, the temple has a Nagara-influenced form with minimal ornamentation compared to plains temples — a design that has plausibly contributed to its structural survival across centuries of snow, cold, and, in 2013, flooding.
In the Mahabharata tradition, the Pandavas are said to have sought Shiva here to atone for the killing of kin during the Kurukshetra war; Shiva evaded them by taking the form of a bull and diving into the ground, leaving parts of his form at different sites — the hump is worshipped at Kedarnath, giving rise to the Panch Kedar group of temples across this region.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple opening | 4:00 AM | — | Open | Seasonal (generally May to November) |
Morning darshan | 4:00 AM | 3:00 PM | Open | Main morning darshan session |
Midday Break | 3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Closed | Temple closed for rituals |
Evening darshan | 5:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Open | Evening worship and darshan |
Temple closing | — | 9:00 PM | Closed | Temple closes after Shayan Aarti |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Maha Abhishek | 4:00 AM | Paid Seva | Sacred ceremonial bathing of the Jyotirlinga before general darshan |
Rudrabhishek | 6:00 AM | Paid Seva | Vedic Abhishekam performed by temple priests |
Morning Pooja | 7:30 AM | Free | Daily morning worship |
Sandhya Aarti | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp ceremony with Vedic chanting |
Shayan Aarti | 8:30 PM | Free | Final worship before the temple closes |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 30–120 min | Walk-in |
Special Poojas | ₹500 onwards | Slot Based | Advance Booking |
Maha Abhishek | ₹1,700 onwards | Advance Reservation | Temple Committee |
Rudrabhishek | ₹900 onwards | Advance Reservation | Temple Committee |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Maha Abhishek | Early Morning | ₹1,700 onwards | Elaborate ceremonial bathing of the Jyotirlinga |
Rudrabhishek | Morning | ₹900 onwards | Sacred Shiva worship with Rudra chanting |
Laghu Rudrabhishek | Morning | ₹700 onwards | Simplified Rudra ritual for devotees |
Mahamrityunjaya Jaap | By Booking | ₹1,500 onwards | Chanting for health, longevity, and protection |
Shiv Sahasranama Archana | Throughout the day | ₹500 onwards | Recitation of the thousand names of Lord Shiva |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Temple Opening Ceremony | April–May | The temple reopens for the pilgrimage season with grand Vedic rituals and thousands of devotees after the winter closure. |
Badri-Kedar Utsav | June | Cultural and spiritual festival featuring devotional music, classical performances, and special temple rituals. |
Shravan Month Celebrations | July–August | Daily Rudrabhishekams, special Shiva poojas, and large numbers of pilgrims offering prayers throughout the holy month. |
Vinayaka Chaturthi | August–September | Special prayers and festive rituals within the temple complex. |
Deepavali & Temple Closing Ceremony | October–November | The temple is beautifully decorated before the sacred idol is ceremonially moved to Ukhimath for winter worship. |
Bhai Dooj Closing Ritual | October–November | The annual closing ceremony marks the end of the pilgrimage season until the following summer. |
Maha Shivaratri (at Ukhimath during winter) | February–March | Since the temple remains closed, special worship of Lord Kedarnath is performed at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Dry Laddu Prasadam | ₹30–₹80 | Traditional sweet offering |
Panchamrit | ₹30–₹50 | Sacred mixture used during Abhishekam |
Sacred Vibhuti | Free | Holy ash blessed at the temple |
Bilva Leaves Prasadam | Free | Blessed Bilva leaves offered to devotees |
Charanamrit | Free | Sacred holy water distributed after worship |
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~230 km, with helicopter connections closer to Kedarnath itself). Nearest railhead: Rishikesh. From Rishikesh/Haridwar, travel by road to Gaurikund, then trek or pony/helicopter to the temple.
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📍 Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand 246445
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Kedarnath.
Search Hotels on Booking.comGaurikund, Sonprayag and Kedarnath town itself have GMVN guesthouses, dharamshalas and private lodges — availability tightens considerably in peak season.
The other Panch Kedar temples, Vasuki Tal, and Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar) are all in the surrounding region for those extending their trip.
