One of the most revered temple towns of India
Home to the sacred Kedarnath temple
A scenic destination located high up in the Himalayas
A trekker's paradise
Famous for Rudra cave, where PM Narendra Modi had meditated
WHAT TO KNOW
One of the most revered temple destinations of India, Kedarnath town is nestled in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas. The town, built around the revered Kedarnath temple, is located at an altitude of 3,580 m, near Chorabari glacier, which is the source of the Mandakini river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple has exquisite architecture and is built of extremely large but evenly shaped grey stone slabs. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his “Sadashiva” form. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a part of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. Behind the Kedarnath temple, stand the Kedarnath peak, Kedar Dome and other Himalayan peaks.
The historical name of this region is "Kedar Khand" and legend says, the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata, after having defeated the Kauravas, felt guilty of having killed so many people and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. The Lord eluded them repeatedly and took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. The Lord dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface at Kedarnath. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms of the Lord appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) at Kalpeshwar. The Kedarnath and four above mentioned shrines make the revered Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
From May to October is the best time to visit Kedarnath. During winter months, the town remains closed due to heavy snowfall.
The mesmerisingly beautiful settlement of Sonprayag is located around 20 km away on the route to Kedarnath. Situated at the confluence of two sacred rivers, Basuki and Mandakini, Sonprayag offers a scintillating view of snow covered mountains and the lush green Sonprayag valley.
The mighty Chorbari (Chorabari) Bamak Glacier, the origin of River Mandakini, is located about 2 km upstream from Kedarnath, with a trail leading from the Kedarnath temple to the glacier snout. Several hanging glaciers and avalanche chutes feed the 6-km-long glacier located at about 3,820 m. It is a popular trekking trail.
Mount Kedarnath or the Kedarnath peak, also called Kedarnath Main by mountaineers, is the imposing mountain that is visible behind the Kedarnath temple. Considered auspicious by pilgrims, the snow-draped peak at an altitude of around 6,940 m is a challenging climb for professionals from across the world. The Kedarnath peak and the Kedarnath Dome are part of the Gangotri group of peaks in the western Garhwal Himalayas. Kedarnath is the highest peak on the south side of the Gangotri glacier, and Kedarnath Dome is the third highest.
Kedar Dome is a majestic, dome-shaped peak standing at a height of 6,831 m within the folds of the Garhwal Himalayas. Named after Lord Shiva, the mountain forms the backdrop to the Kedarnath temple. It attracts mountaineers from across the world, who mostly attempt climbing from its northwestern flank. The peak is also ideal for ski ascents and is popular among professional skiers. The trek to Kedar Dome is easy but requires high altitude trekking experience. It offers great views of the Gangotri glacier, Gangotri peaks, and the stunning Mount Kedarnath.
The lush Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, bordered by Kedarnath and Chaukhamba peaks, is home to the rare Himalayan musk deer, a reason why it's also known as the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary. Spread over approximately 975 sq km, the sanctuary has a large number of temples located within its precincts, the Kedarnath temple being the most popular.
Situated at an elevation of 5,300 m, this pass is just 15 km from Kedarnath. The moderately challenging trek to this pass offers spectacular views of Masar Tal and Vasuki Tal along with Thalay Sagar, Kedar dome and other peaks of the Gangotri region.