Kedarnath Temple Uttarakhand: Kedarnath and Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand is one of the most pious places in the country and holds spiritual significance for every Hindu. According to the great beliefs, Kedarnath Dham is where Shiv Ji lives in the form of Shivalinga. It is situated at a height of 3584 m and is where the Pandavas sought blessings after winning the epic battle of Mahabharata. The most prominent place here is the Kedarnath Temple, which stands in the centre and is covered by snowy mountain peaks. Outside the premises, there is a Nandi statue that stands guard. Its inner hall is decorated with mythological figures and scenes. But this is not where the glory of the Kedarnath Temple and Uttarakhand ends…there is much-much-much… more to it!
Let’s look at the beautiful places to visit near Kedarnath and the best time to visit Kedarnath temple.
Suggested Read: Chaar Dham Yatra: Everything you need to know about
Table of Contents
List of the Best Places to Visit in Kedarnath:
1. Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is exquisitely adorned with grey stones. A cone-like rock formation inside the temple is worshipped by the devotees as Shiv Ji’s Sadashiv form. As you peek inside, you will find a mandap for visitors and a Garbha Griha for prayer. Kedarnath Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 9 pm, giving devotees sufficient time to seek blessings and be mesmerised by the glory of Shiv Ji.
2. Sonprayag
This small village in Uttarakhand is one of the finest places to visit near Kedarnath. It is popular for its peaceful surroundings and natural beauty which makes you want to stay for a long time. Sonprayag is at the intersection of River Basuki and Mandakini. You can take a dip in the river or sit beside the mountains to experience a blissful view. The city is close to Triyuginarayan temple, making it easily accessible for the pilgrims.
3. Vasuki Tal
Vasuki Tal is located at an altitude of 14,200 ft in Kedarnath Dham and is famous for its glacial peaks. You can witness the magical aura of Satopanth, Meru, Thalaysagar, and other Garhwal peaks from here. Trekkers would love this place as it offers an experience of crossing boulders and glaciers for a thrilling journey. If you want to go on a Vasuki Tal trek, prior experience is required for ease.
4. Chorabar Tal
Another beautiful Kedarnath tourist place is Chorabar Tal with a 3,900 m altitude. It is the spot where Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed, giving it the name of “Gandhi Sarovar”. This is the easiest trek of 3 km, surrounded by grass fields and a picturesque atmosphere. As you make your way to the lake, you will get an immersive view of Madhu Ganga.
5. Deoria Taal
Deoria Taal is one of Kedarnath’s nearby places that attracts a huge crowd throughout the year. This lake in Saari village is covered with mountains and lakes for a scenic backdrop. It is situated at a 2,438 m altitude, and anyone who wants to reach has to cover a 3 km trek. Upon reaching the taal, you will get a breathtaking glimpse of Chandrashila, Chopta, and Tungnath. It is covered with Nilkantha, Chaukhamba, and Bandarpunch mountains. As per the legend, devas used to bathe in this lake.
6. Chandrashila
Chandrashila is a popular peak located 4000 m above sea level. According to Hindu mythology, Ram Ji offered his prayers to Shiv Ji after killing Ravana. He meditated here to cleanse his sins. Another legend is that the moon god punished himself here for several years. Today Chandrashila has turned into a sought-after trek from where tourists get a panoramic view of mountain peaks.
7. Bhairavnath Temple
One of the popular things to do in Kedarnath is visit the Bhairavnath Temple (located near the Kedarnath Mandir). It is situated on a cliff and is dedicated to Bhairav Ji, the protector of the temple. According to popular belief, Bhairav Ji keeps an eye on the entire Kedarnath when the temple is closed for the visit.
8. Shankaracharya Samadhi
Shankaracharya was the 8th-century scholar and saint who visited Kedarnath as the last stop on this journey across the world. This is where he left his mortal body behind and attained nirvana. At that exact spot, Shankar’s samadhi was built. There is a spatika lingam inside which is known to eradicate negativities and illnesses of the visitors. A hot spring is also present at the spot which is known to heal the devotees.
9. Triyuginarayan Temple
Don’t forget to seek blessings from the Triyuginarayan Temple when you are covering the most famous places near Kedarnath. The temple is where Shiv Ji and Mata Parvati confessed their love and exchanged vows. There is a Brahma Shila in front which is where the celestial union took place. You will always notice a fire burning in front of the temple.
10. Tungnath Temple
Tungnath is situated at an altitude of 3,680 ft and is known as the Panch Kedar temple. It is known as the highest Shiva mandir in the world and is only 3 km from Chopta. This place is believed to be 1000 years old and its construction has been done in Nagara style. Only 10 people can enter the space at a time as the sanctum is small. Seek blessings from one of the famous temples during your trip to Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.
11. Rudranath Temple
Rudranath Mandir is located at Chamoli and is dedicated to Shiv Ji. It is located at a 2,286 m altitude and is associated with the Pandavas. As per Hindu mythology, the temple is where Shiv Ji’s head appeared in the form of a bull. It is enveloped by forests and has sacred water tanks behind it for people to dip and heal themselves. The temple opens from May to November every year.
12. Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Madhyamaheshwar Temple is one of the most beautiful and ancient temples situated at the Chaukhamba base. It is located at an altitude of 3,497 m and is built in a Nagara style. There is a scenic mountain backdrop and a crisp freshness in the air, making your visit to the temple totally worth it. There is the naval of the bull inside which is worshipped by the devotees. The temple was built by the 2nd pandava brother, Bheema.
13. Kalpeshwar Temple
Kalpeshwar Temple is in Urgam Valley at a 2,200 m altitude. It is covered in dense forests and greenery, warming the hearts of anyone who visits. This temple is part of the trekking route to Joshimath and is dedicated to Shiv Ji. As you begin the tour of the place, you will find a small cave with hair lock images which are believed to have naturally emerged there.
14. Vishwanath Temple
Visit the Vishwanath Temple on your route to Kedarnath. It is at a height of 1,410 m and is exactly like the Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is immensely significant for the devotees.
15. Gauri Kund
Did you know Maa Parvati meditated consistently to marry Shiv Ji? Gaurikund is the exact spot where she performed the tapa. Another famous incident which occurred here is when Shiv Ji replaced Ganesh Ji’s human head with an elephant. Anyone who visits this place feels the immense power of god. There is a holy spring nearby where devotees take a dip to feel blessed.
16. Guptakashi
Guptakashi is another popular tourist spot near the Kedarnath district. It is the spot where Shiv Ji hid from Pandavas when they wanted to seek redemption for the war killings. Apart from witnessing the location, you also get to visit the famous Ardhnarishwar Temple. You will also get to shop for beautiful artefacts, idols, and paintings.
17. Mayali Pass Trek
Mayali Pass trek is 15 km from Kedarnath and is a beautiful resting spot for trekkers. It is at an altitude of 5,300 m in Bhilangana Valley and gives a pristine view of Vasuki and Masar Tal. Earlier, the route was used by pilgrims to reach Kedarnath or Gangotri.
18. Ukhimath
Ukhimath is a serene town in the Rudraprayag district at an altitude of 1,317 m. There is a popular Omkareshwar Temple, the oldest spiritual destination in the region. The place is also popular as the resting stop for Madhyamaheshwar and Kedarnath Ji.
19. Agastmuni
Agastmuni is located at a height of 1,000 m on the banks of River Mandakini. The place is popular for the Agastmuni Temple, known after a sage who meditated there. This temple displays beautiful paintings of Hindu deities and the aura is really blissful.
20. Rudraprayag
Rudraprayag is the interlinking point for Kedarnath and Badrinath. The place is named after Shiv Ji’s Rudra avatar. According to mythology, Shiv Ji blessed Narad Muni here. That’s why this spot plays an important role for anyone going for Kedarnath yatra.
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date
Kedarnath Temple opens in May for the devotees and continues till November. The exact Kedarnath Temple closing date 2024 is 3rd November at 8:30 a.m. These dates are always announced in advance, giving devotees sufficient time to plan their chaar dhaam yatra.
Kedarnath Temple History
According to Hindu mythology, Shiv Ji manifested in a Jyotirlingam form. There are 12 Jyotirlingas spread across India and the highest of them is Kedarnath. The Kedarnath Temple height is 3,581 m and the trek from Gaurikund is 16 km.
The origin of this mandir goes back to Mahabharata when Pandavas went to seek blessings from Shiv Ji. They wanted to atone for their sins of killing but Shiv Ji avoided them continuously. He then took refuge in Kedarnath, and when followed by the Pandavas, dived into the ground and left a hump on the surface. Today, there is a holy sanctum in that exact place and people worship that hump as Shiv Ji’s manifestation.
Who Built Kedarnath Temple?
Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya built the Kedarnath Mandir thousands of years ago. He instructed the workers to construct the entire premises with massive stone slabs. It is covered by climbing large steps to reach the holy cosmic light (jyotilinga).
How Old is Kedarnath Temple?
The Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand was built in the 8th century, making it more than 1,200 years old. It has been consistently renovated to retain the glory and grandeur of the pilgrimage. Kedarnath Temple photos of then and now depict how the premises have transformed over time.
Kedarnath temple images are a reflection of how magnanimous the place looks.
Fascinating Facts About Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath Tour Package
Make a budget-friendly Kedarnath trip package from your origin city and cover your chaar dhaam yatra this year. You can plan the trip from Delhi to Kedarnath or any other city via flight, train, or bus.
By Flight: Book a ticket to the Jolly Grant Airport, the nearest place from Kedarnath. You can book a taxi from the airport to Gaurikhand and begin your journey.
By Train: Most people book their Kedarnath yatra packages via a train. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (243 km from Gaurikhand). Rishikesh is easily accessible from most cities, lowering your Kedarnath trip cost.
By Bus: If you are wondering how to reach Kedarnath from Delhi without splurging a lot then book a bus ticket. You can hail a bus and deboard at Haridwar, Rishikesh or Srinagar. Buses and taxis are available from all these points to drop you at Gaurikhand.
Suggested Read: Delhi to Kedarnath Road Trip
Best Hotels Near Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath is commonly a part of the chaar dhaam yatra and travellers prefer to stay near Kedarnath temple. There are dharamshalas available near the Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand. They charge a nominal fee for accommodation and provide comfortable rooms. But if you are seeking hotels near the temple, the Kedarnath temple distance is 40 to 100 m.
1. Muzaffarnagar Nagar House
Room with 4 beds: ₹ 8800
Distance: 100 m
2. Hotel Gayatri
Room with 4 beds: ₹ 11000
Distance: 50 m
3. Hotel Himachal House
Room with 4 beds: ₹ 9500
Distance: 40 m
4. Hotel Jhalaram
Room with 4 beds: ₹ 9800
Distance: 100 m
5. Hotel Behl Ashram
Room with 4 beds: ₹ 9500
Distance: 90 m
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