The beautiful state of Uttarakhand is home to a 1,200-year-old place of worship to the Hindu God Shiva. The holy place, known as Kedarnath Temple, is one of the Char Dham. If you’re planning on going on a road trip to explore this enchanting destination, you can enhance your journey by booking a chauffeur-driven car with Savaari from Dehradun. This allows you to enjoy the scenic routes and immerse yourself in the tranquillity and historical significance of Kedarnath Temple. The thrilling trek to reach the temple only adds to the overall magnetism of this revered site.
Table of Contents
- About Kedarnath temple
- Kedarnath Temple Darshan timings
- Kedarnath Temple dress code
- Sevas and poojas at Kedarnath temple
- Kedarnath temple entry fee and pooja charges
- Kedarnath temple festivals
- Other attractions near Kedarnath temple
- How to plan a trip to Kedarnath temple
- Hotels and Resorts near Kedarnath temple
- Nearby road trips from Kedarnath
About Kedarnath Temple – Mythology, History & Significance
Uttarakhand is home to a 1200-year-old beautiful place of worship, the Kedarnath Temple. The sanctity and the overwhelming sense of peace that this site offers have made it one of the most sought-after places in the state. The place has always attracted people looking for peace and a spiritual experience. The feeling of trekking to the highest jyotirlinga just adds enough drama to the place to allure people seeking a thrill.
Savaari Car Rentals has curated an exclusive Char Dham Yatra package for pilgrims planning to visit one, two, or all four dhams. You can book comfortable Toyota Innova cabs or sedans from cities like Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh based on your travel needs and darshan duration to cover any dham of your choice. Our Char Dham Yatra package price is flexible, and you can book a round-trip cab service for a comfortable journey and peaceful darshan. Ready to travel to the sacred shrine? Book a Savaari cab today!
The Jyotirlinga and Why Kedarnath Is Special Among the 12
The temple is famous for the Sadashiva form of Lord Shiva, manifested as the hump of the Nandi, the Hindu God’s avatar. Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and is also one of the four significant sites that have always been pulling pilgrims towards them – Gangotri, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Chota Char Dham. The temple also worships idols of Parvati, Nandi, the Pandavas, Draupadi, and Veerabhadra.
Where is the Kedarnath temple located?
Resting in the heart of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Temple is located near the Mandakini River, on the Himalayan range called Rudraprayag, Garhwal.
History of Kedarnath Temple – The Pandavas Connection
The origin of the Kedarnath Temple can be traced back to the second century. There are claims that Bhoj of Malwa was the first to begin construction of the temple. Others believe that it was built by the Pandavas after the Mahabharata, when they were in the Himalayas seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva for all the sins committed during the war.
Lord Shiva couldn’t forgive the sins of the war and was trying to avoid meeting the Pandavas. He then took sanctuary in the same spot as the Kedarnath Temple. When the Pandavas found him, Lord Shiva was in his Nandi avatar (the bull) and dove into the ground, leaving only his hump behind. The hump is now worshipped in the Sadashiva form. While the original information about the temple may be debatable, its significance in the country’s rich history is not.
[Also read: Char Dham Yatra road trip guide]
Best time to visit Kedarnath
The best time to visit the Kedarnath Temple is during the summer season. Due to the Temple’s high-altitude location, the weather is usually freezing, so much so that the Temple is closed for about six months of the year. One should avoid the winter and monsoon seasons when planning a trip to the temple. The ideal time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June and then again from September to October, if you don’t mind it being a little chilly.
Interesting Facts About Kedarnath That Most Visitors Don’t Know
- The Shiva lingam at the Kedarnath temple is triangular, unlike the other lingams, which are cylindrical.
- Kedarnath Temple is closed for 6 months of the year due to extreme temperatures, making it inaccessible. During this time, the idol of the deity is moved to Omkareshwar Temple and is worshipped there for those six months.
- The opening date of Kedarnath Temple is based on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, or Akshaya Teej, and is announced every year on the day of Mahashivratri.
- Research has shown that the Kedarnath Temple was buried under snow for around 400 years during the Little Ice Age.
- Even though the temple is so old and the courtyard is just big enough to survive heavy rainfall, it has survived many natural disasters. The most recent one was in 2013, when a flood destroyed everything around the temple, but the temple was saved. People believe that Lord Shiva himself protects the temple.
- Surprisingly enough, though the temple is located in Uttarakhand, the mantras are chanted in Kannada. Not only this, the head priest of the temple has always been from the Rawal clan of Karnataka.
- It is believed that the head of Lord Shiva’s idol is in the Doleshwarmahadev Temple in Nepal.
- It is believed that Kedarnath ji is protected by the Bhairo Nath temple. It is required to visit the Bhairo Nath Temple on the occasion of the opening and closing of the Kedarnath Temple.
Kedarnath Temple Darshan Timings 2026
The temple is open from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The ritual cycle takes place twice, morning and evening. The temple is closed for recess from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can book the tickets online by following this link.
- Entry fee: Free
- Morning aarti: 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
- Morning general darshan: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Break: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Evening aarti: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Kedarnath Temple dress code
There is no strict dress code for this temple, but it is advised to dress modestly. You will see most devotees wearing shirts and trousers, dhotis, and something to cover the upper bodies, if they are biological men. For females, the preferred dress code is a saree or a kurta. It is advisable to refrain from wearing short tops on the premises of the temple. One should pack winter-friendly clothes even during the summer months.
Sevas and poojas at the Kedarnath temple
The following is a list of rituals performed in the Kedarnath Temple.
| Morning Pujas | |
| Rituals | Price |
| Mahabhishek Puja | ₹9,500 |
| Rudrabhishek Puja | ₹7,200 |
| Laghurudrabhishek Puja | ₹6,100 |
| Shodashopachaar Puja | ₹5,500 |
| Ashtopachaar Puja | ₹950 |
| Panchopachaar Puja | ₹950 |
| Evening Pujas | |
| Rituals | Price |
| Shiv Ashtotari Path | ₹1000 |
| Shiv Sehashtranaam Path | ₹2,000 |
| Shiv Namawali | ₹2,000 |
| Shiv Mahimanstrotam Path | ₹2,000 |
| Shiv Tandav Strotam Path | ₹1,900 |
| Shiv Parakshamastrotam Path | ₹2,000 |
Kedarnath temple entry fee and pooja charges:
The temple is open from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. The aarti takes place twice, morning and evening. The temple is closed for a break from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Although entry is free for all pilgrims, there are charges to attend the pujas and rituals performed by the priests. One can also choose to pre-book slots for the rituals.
“I had taken a trip with my mother who is very devoted to Lord Shiva. This was the first time I had taken her on a trip with my salary. When I saw the prices for all the pujas, my heart sank. It cost about ₹40,000 if we wanted to attend all the pujas. Luckily, our driver told us that there was a special provision to book for the entire day at just ₹26,000. I saved so much!”
-Megha Chandran
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026 & Closing Date
The opening date for the Kedarnath temple visit is announced every year on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri. This year, the temple will be open for devotees from 22nd April 2026. The Kedarnath yatra, which is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism, will continue until 11th November 2026, giving devotees ample time to pay their respects at the temple.
Major Kedarnath temple festivals
- Vinayaka Chaturthi: A festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country, Ganesha devotees make it a point to visit the shrine dedicated to his father, Lord Shiva. Each year, on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees are drawn to the Kedarnath Temple to pay their respects.
- Samadhi Puja: This ritual takes place on the last day of the Kedarnath Temple. The Samadhi Puja takes place in the Shankaracharya Temple, which is right behind the main Kedarnath Temple, and after this ritual, the shutter is closed and won’t open for another six months. The beautiful scene,y accompanied by soulful music, lights, and processions, makes for the perfect reason to be here.
- Shravani Annakoot Mela: The organisers of the fair hold it one day before Raksha Bandhan to mark the local harvest time in the region. On this colourful occasion, they offer the harvest to the deity’s feet, which they call “Prasadam,” and decorate the Jyotirlinga with a paste made from the harvest. Kedarnath is a treat for the eyes during the Mela.
- Badri-Kedar festival: The month of June is the best time to visit Kedarnath, especially if you have a love of the heritage, arts, and culture of the majestic state of Uttarakhand. During this 8-day-long affair, artists from all over the state come together to showcase their talents. There is music, art, colour, and culture dripping from the streets of Kedar during this time.
- Diwali: Diwali in Kedarnath is something that every Shiva worshipper should experience at least once in their lifetime. The place is decorated with colourful flowers in the daytime, and a minimum of 5000 diyas glow in the darkness of the night. Every corner of the beautiful place is full of hope and glimmer. One might even be lucky enough to spend Diwali with some very famous people here, too.
[Also read: Panch Prayag road trip guide]
Kedarnath from Savaari: What Our Drivers Know That Maps Don’t
Whether you’re starting your yatra from Delhi NCR, Rishikesh, Dehradun, or Haridwar, Savaari’s drivers know the road and route so well that they book specific dhabas for chai breaks based on the time of day.
- The stretch between Rudraprayag and Sonprayag is the most accident-prone. Our drivers avoid driving this section after dark. If your itinerary requires a night arrival, plan to stop in Sonprayag and drive the last 5 km in daylight.
- The parking at Sonprayag fills up by 7 AM on peak days. Savaari cabs drop you at the barricade and wait. Shuttles by the Kedarnath Dham Yatra team run from Sonprayag to Gaurikund.
- Carry some cash in cash for the shared jeep or shuttle from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. Relying solely on UPI can be tricky.
- Baggage mules at Gaurikund charge per kilogram. Pack light. Take only what’s absolutely needed for the trek and leave the rest in the car.
- September mornings after the second week are consistently the clearest days for sunrise views. Avoid the last two weeks of October, as there can be unpredictable snowfall.
Driver suggested places to visit near the Kedarnath temple
- Trekking: For adrenaline junkies, Kedarnath holds a very rewarding trekking experience at 3,584 meters above sea level. There are various routes for this trek, and one can choose a route according to their needs and abilities, such as the Chopta-Tunganath-Chandrashila trek.
- The Tals of Kedarnath: Vasuki Tal and Chobari Tal are places that allow one to soak in the gorgeousness of the Himalayas and bring in a sense of being at peace like no other place. Just sitting near these places is nothing short of an out-of-body experience.
- Bhairavnath Temple: Located just 500 meters away is the believed guardian of the temple. The Bhairavnath temple is a must-visit site for any devotee. Bhairavnath scares the demons away with a Trishul as the weapon and uses a dog as his savaari.
- Chandrashila: Another abode for thrill lovers, Chandrashila is open for 10 months of the year. It has a wide range of trekking and skiing options. It is located 3679 m above sea level.
Driver suggested places to eat in Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a place that suffers extreme weather conditions. Due to this, the places to eat are very basic, but as soon as you sit in a place surrounded by the majestic range of the Himalayas, all food starts to taste divine. Just sitting in these places and getting a warm meal is worth adding to the things to do in the temple.
- Mayadeep Resort, Chopta, Okhimath-Gopeshwar Road, Duggal Bittha, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, 246469
- Hariyali Restaurant, Main Badrinath Highway, Gulabrai (Near Police Check Post on Kedarnath Bypass Merging Point), Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, 246171
- Chauhan Guest House, Gumkhal Silogi Rishikesh Road, Gumkhal, Uttarakhand, 246128
- Magpie Restaurant, Dugalbitta, Rudraprayag, Chopta, Uttarakhand, 246469
- Saket Restaurant, Badrinath Temple Access Path, Badrinath, Uttarakhand, 246422
How to plan a trip to the Kedarnath temple
Kedarnath Temple is open for only a few months of the year due to extremely cold temperatures. Because of this, we advise you to plan your trip in the summer months. If possible, one should also try to time their trip during the festivals so that they can have a more rounded trip. Adventure lovers should try to keep at least 3 days in hand for this trip, as there are a lot of fun things to do near the Kedarnath Temple.
How to reach Kedarnath
By Train
The nearest railway station is the Rishikesh railway station, about 200 km from Gaurikund. Rishikesh railway station is well-connected to the northern part of the country. You can drive down or book a cab from Rishikesh to Gaurikund.
By Road
Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads, and you can find a lot of buses from various parts of Uttarakhand. You can also drive down or book a cab to reach Kedarnath Temple from Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Dehradun.
By Flight
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, about 35 km from Dehradun and 235 km from Gaurikund. If you’re traveling from very far away, then you may book a flight to this airport. From Jolly Grant Airport you can take a bus or book a cab to Gaurikund.
You can also choose to book a helicopter ride from Gaurikund to Kedarnath and strike off another element from your bucket list.
Hotels and Resorts near Kedarnath Temple
Because the Kedarnath temple is inaccessible by road, we advise pilgrims to stay in nearby towns such as Sitapur and Sonprayag.
| Stay | Address | Phone number |
| GMVN Cottages | GMVN COTTAGES, Kedarnath, Uttarakhand 246445 | N/A |
| Agrabhawan Kedarnath | Old Agrabhawan Kedarnath near Kedarnath temple | 9897646171 |
| Hotel Trishul | P3M8+VPH, Kedarnath, Bypass Marg, Mandla | N/A |
Nearby road trips from Kedarnath
| Destination | Distance | Duration |
| Gaurikund to Rishikesh | 208 km | 6 hrs |
| Gaurikund to Dehradun | 245 km | 7 hrs |
| Gaurikund to Haridwar | 228 km | 7hrs |
| Shimla | 541 km | 14 hrs |
Useful links:
- Government site to book a helicopter
- For more information related to Kedarnath
- Kedarnath Yatra 2025 Made Easier With Helicopter Services From Sonprayag
Frequently Asked Questions About Kedarnath Temple
What time does Kedarnath Temple open for darshan?
The temple opens at 4:00 AM for the morning aarti and remains open until 3:00 PM for general darshan. It then reopens at 5:00 PM and closes with the evening aarti at 7:00 PM. During the break (3-5 PM), only booked puja participants may be present. Timings may change slightly on festival days.
When does Kedarnath Temple open in 2026?
The 2026 opening date is announced on Mahashivratri (February 2026). This year, the temple is opening on 22nd April 2026. The temple closes on 11th November 2026, on Bhai Dooj.
Is there a dress code for Kedarnath Temple?
There is no strictly enforced dress code, but modest clothing is expected. Men should wear full trousers or dhotis; women should wear sarees, salwar kurtas, or traditional attire. Shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing are considered disrespectful. Additionally, dress for cold weather — even in summer, temperatures at 11,760 ft can drop to 5-8°C.
How is Kedarnath Temple different from other Jyotirlingas?
Kedarnath is unique in three ways. First, its Shivalinga is triangular (with a hump) rather than cylindrical. Second, it is the only Jyotirlinga where the chief priest (Rawal) is from Karnataka and the mantras are chanted in Kannada — a fascinating cultural anomaly. Third, it is the highest-altitude Jyotirlinga in India at 11,760 feet.
What is the legend behind the Kedarnath Temple?
According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness for the sins of the Kurukshetra war. Shiva, unwilling to meet them, transformed into a bull and dived into the earth at Kedarnath. When the Pandavas found him, only his hump remained above ground — that hump, now enshrined in the temple, is worshipped as the Sadashiva form. The remaining body parts of Shiva are said to be worshipped at the other four Panch Kedar temples.
Is Kedarnath Temple safe to visit during the monsoon?
The Kedarnath region receives heavy rainfall between July and mid-September, and the trekking trail becomes slippery and dangerous. Following the 2013 floods, authorities have significantly improved early warning systems and trail safety. However, the official advisory is to avoid Kedarnath during July-August. If you must travel, monitor the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Uttarakhand updates daily.
Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by V Subhadra
