Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
The highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas at 3,583m, where, by tradition, Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have attained Samadhi. Not road-accessible: a 16 km Himalayan trek or helicopter required.
Yatra Registration Required: Register Before Travel
Register online or in the Tourist Care app before travel when possible · Official registration centres and Yatri Mitra assistance are also available on the route
Darshan Information
Seasonal temple · Usually late April/May to October/November
During the open season, Google Maps lists temple hours as 4:00 AM–9:00 PM every day. The 2026 season opened on 22 April. Exact annual opening and closing dates, ritual pauses and special-day arrangements should still be confirmed with BKTC before the trek or helicopter journey.
Darshan Hours
4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Daily during the open season
Daily Aarti
Confirm Daily
The official 2026 registration page has not published fixed public aarti and bhog times · Check BKTC updates before your visit
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Warm Layers
Min 4 layers even in May · Waterproof outer essential · Trekking shoes required · Shoes off at shrine entrance
Best Time to Visit
Late Apr/May – Oct/Nov
2026 season opened 22 Apr · Exact opening and closing dates are announced annually by BKTC
Security Rules
Follow Current Rules
Allowed outside · No photography inside the main temple · Signal: weak
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 1–2 hrs
Weekdays in season (3,583m altitude)
Weekends
Approx. 2–4 hrs
Weekends in season
Festivals
Approx. 3–6 hrs
Opening week · June–July peak · Acclimatise before queuing
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
The Journey to 3,583 m
The one Jyotirlinga reached only by trek or helicopter
16 km trek from Gaurikund · Alt gain 1,601m
Kedarnath is not road-accessible. From Gaurikund (1,982m), the official pilgrim guide describes a 16 km trek to the temple at 3,583m. Helicopter services operate seasonally from approved helipads; book only through the official IRCTC-linked service and confirm current routes.
16 km
Trek from Gaurikund
6–8 hrs
Trek ascent time
Live fares
IRCTC HeliYatra
Trek Route: Gaurikund → Kedarnath
Helicopter Options (3 helipads)
Sersi
Check live fare
Short shuttle flight
Phata
Check live fare
Short shuttle flight
Guptkashi
Check live fare
Short shuttle flight
Book only at heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Fares, baggage rules, reporting requirements, weather delays, and availability change by season.
Puja Schedule
1 ritual · During the open season
Confirm dailyTimings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm at badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Trek Required
16 km from Gaurikund · Usually 6–8 hours · Helicopter services are seasonal
Carry Registration QR
Free Char Dham registration · Carry the QR code for checks
Seasonal Temple
2026 season opened 22 April · Confirm the official closing date before travel
Registration required before leaving home. Without a Char Dham QR code you cannot pass Sonprayag. Register free at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
directions_transitHow to Reach Kedarnath
By Train
Rishikesh · 230 km
By Flight
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) · 250 km
By Road
Delhi to Gaurikund · 450 km
hotelWhere to Stay
GMVN Tent Colonies at Kedarnath: ₹500 to ₹2,000/night
Uttarakhand Tourism (GMVN) operates Bhairavnath, Vasuki, and Devdarshni tent colonies within 100m of the temple. Basic but adequate. Book well in advance at gmvnonline.com; May–June fills first.
Guptkashi Hotels: ₹800 to ₹3,000/night
The best base town for Kedarnath (48 km, 1.5 hrs from Gaurikund). Comfortable hotels, restaurants, and ATMs. Many pilgrims acclimatize here before the trek. Book via MakeMyTrip or Booking.com.
Dharmshalas & Community Kitchens: Free to ₹500/night
Multiple dharmshalas at Kedarnath including Punjab Sindh Awas, Bikaner House, and Rajasthan Seva Sadan. Free Anna Kshetra (community kitchen) serves vegetarian meals to all pilgrims. Book counter at Kedarnath on arrival.
There is no reliable ATM at Kedarnath, so withdraw cash at Guptkashi or Sonprayag before the trek. Carry a power bank; charging is very limited at 3,583m.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Sep – Oct · Best
Stable weather, clear mountain views, manageable crowds. Temperatures: -2 to 12°C by day. The valley turns gold and the Himalayan panorama is at its clearest. Best photography and trekking conditions. Helicopter availability is better than peak season.
Apr – Jun · Peak Season
Extreme crowds at season opening. Helicopter books out 30–60 days ahead. Queues 2–6 hours at peak. Temperatures 5–18°C by day but sub-zero at night. If visiting May–June, book GMVN accommodation and helicopter 4–6 weeks in advance.
Jul – Aug · Avoid
Monsoon season has a high landslide and flash flood risk. The 2013 disaster occurred in June. Temple remains open and Shravan Mondays bring devoted crowds, but the safety risk is significant. Not recommended unless you are experienced in high-altitude mountain conditions.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circleComplete the free Char Dham registration before travel when possible. Use registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the official app. The official FAQ also lists route registration centres and Yatri Mitra assistance; carry your registration record and ID.
- check_circleStart the trek within the official morning gate window. Uttarakhand Tourism lists the 16 km trek and a 4:00 AM–1:30 PM trek-start window. Check the current weather, route and gate advisory before leaving Gaurikund.
- check_circleInclude Bhairavnath only if time, weather and health allow. Many pilgrims traditionally visit the guardian-deity shrine after Kedarnath. Treat it as an optional devotional visit, not a requirement.
- check_circleDo not depend on one mobile network. Coverage varies by operator, weather, and crowd load. Save emergency numbers and offline maps, and keep a charged power bank.
- check_circleUse extra caution during the monsoon. Heavy rain and landslides can close roads and trekking routes at short notice. Follow official weather, road and yatra advisories rather than a fixed seasonal rule.
Temple Highlights
Highest of All 12 Jyotirlingas
Kedarnath stands at 3,583m (11,755 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas, the highest of all 12 Jyotirlingas. The Kedarnath range, the Bhagirathi peaks, and the Mandakini river form a setting of extraordinary natural grandeur.
The Only Trek-Access Jyotirlinga
Unlike all other 11 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath cannot be reached by road. The 16 km stone-paved trek from Gaurikund (or a helicopter) is the only route, making the journey itself an act of devotion.
Adi Shankaracharya's Samadhi
The great Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya is, by tradition, believed to have attained Mahasamadhi (passed away) at Kedarnath. His Samadhi memorial stands directly behind the main temple, a deeply revered philosophical site in Hinduism.
2013 Flood: the Bheem Sheela Boulder
In June 2013, a catastrophic cloudburst and glacial outburst flood from Gandhi Sarovar destroyed the entire Kedarnath valley, yet the ancient stone temple stood unharmed, protected by a massive boulder (Bheem Sheela) that diverted the floodwaters around it. Pilgrims see this as divine protection.
Major Festivals
Season Opening: Akshaya Tritiya
The temple’s 2026 season opened on Akshaya Tritiya, 22 April. BKTC announces opening-day ceremonies and visitor arrangements; the official Tourist Care page has not published a fixed public opening time for the day.
What to do: Treat opening week as a peak-demand period. Complete registration and book authorised helicopter travel and accommodation well ahead, then confirm official reporting and darshan times before leaving.
Shravan Month
Despite the monsoon risk, Shravan Mondays draw devoted Shiva pilgrims for special Jal Abhishek. The misty, cloud-shrouded Himalayan setting takes on a powerfully atmospheric character. Note: the 2013 disaster occurred in June; landslide risk is real during this season.
What to do: If visiting during Shravan, go on weekdays rather than Mondays. Check the BKTC weather advisory before starting the trek. Do not attempt the trek in heavy rain.
Season Closing: Bhai Dooj
On Bhai Dooj, the deity is ceremonially transferred from Kedarnath to its winter seat at Omkareshwar Mandir in Ukhimath. The Doli (palanquin) procession through the mountains is a spectacular sight, accompanied by priests, pilgrims, and the sound of drums. Exact date announced annually.
What to do: September–October is the best overall time to visit. If you can align with the closing ceremony, the Doli procession from Kedarnath is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. Book accommodation 3–4 weeks ahead.
Maha Shivaratri (at Ukhimath)
Kedarnath is closed in winter. During Maha Shivaratri, special puja is performed at the deity's winter residence, Omkareshwar Mandir in Ukhimath (41 km from Rudraprayag). Pilgrims who cannot visit Kedarnath in season attend here instead. The atmosphere is deeply devotional.
What to do: Visit Ukhimath for Maha Shivaratri darshan of the winter deity. It is a rare and intimate experience far removed from the peak-season crowds.
The Story of Kedarnath
The Kedarnath legend begins with the Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to seek absolution for the sin of killing their own kin. Shiva, unwilling to grant them this easily, disguised himself as a bull and fled into the earth. As he descended, the bull's hump emerged at Kedarnath, while different body parts surfaced at four other locations, forming the Panch Kedar circuit. Kedarnath, where the divine hump emerged, is traditionally regarded as the principal shrine of the five Panch Kedar.
The current stone temple is, by tradition, credited to Adi Shankaracharya, who is believed to have restored or rebuilt the ancient structure. Tradition holds that he attained Mahasamadhi (passed away) here; his Samadhi stands directly behind the temple today. The temple survived the catastrophic June 2013 floods that destroyed the entire surrounding valley: a massive boulder (Bheem Sheela) diverted the floodwaters around the ancient structure while everything else was swept away. After a 4-year restoration funded by the central and state governments, the temple and its surroundings were rebuilt for the 2017 season.
“At the peak of the Himalayan heights, where the earth meets the sky, the Lord of the Field — Kedarnath — grants liberation to those who seek him with true heart.”
— Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita (paraphrase)
Nearby Temples & Sites
Bhairavnath Temple
near_me 0.5–1.5 km · 20 min walk
Guardian deity of the Kedarnath valley. Bhairavnath darshan traditionally follows Kedarnath darshan. The temple stands on a ridge above the main temple, with views across the valley.
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi
near_me 0.1 km · Behind main temple
The Samadhi memorial of Adi Shankaracharya, who by tradition is believed to have attained liberation here. Directly behind the main temple building. A small, deeply moving space of enormous philosophical and spiritual significance.
Gandhi Sarovar (Chorabari Lake)
near_me 2–4 km · 1.5 hrs round trip
Turquoise glacial lake and source of the Mandakini River. Famously, the 2013 catastrophic flood originated from a glacial burst here. Visit only September–October. The lake reflects the surrounding peaks on clear days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for Kedarnath? Is it mandatory?
Yes, registration is mandatory and free. Register online at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or in the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app before travel when possible.
The official FAQ also lists registration centres and Yatri Mitra assistance on the route, including Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Carry your QR code and accepted identification.
Can I visit Kedarnath without trekking? (Helicopter options)
Yes. Helicopter services operate from Guptkashi, Phata, and Sersi. Book only through heliyatra.irctc.co.in, the portal linked by BKTC.
Fares, reporting rules, baggage limits, weather delays, and availability change by season. Check the live portal and do not pay unofficial agents.
When does Kedarnath open and close in 2026?
Open: April 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM (Akshaya Tritiya). The opening date is officially announced on Maha Shivaratri each year by BKTC.
Close: Bhai Dooj, October/November 2026 (exact date announced annually by BKTC; confirm before travel). The temple closes as the deity's palanquin (Doli) travels in procession to its winter seat at Omkareshwar Mandir, Ukhimath.
Can elderly or mobility-impaired pilgrims visit Kedarnath?
Kedarnath is not road-accessible. Helicopter, pony, and palanquin services may be available, subject to weather and local controls.
Check current government rates and medical advice before choosing. Ask BKTC or Tourist Care about assistance near the shrine, because mobility needs differ and conditions can change quickly.
What should I pack for the Kedarnath trek?
Essentials:
- Warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
- Trekking shoes with good grip and a trekking pole.
- Water, prescribed medicines, some cash, a charged phone, and a power bank.
- Offline maps and saved emergency numbers because mobile coverage varies.
- Medical advice before using any altitude medicine.
Opening date, registration, route, and 16 km trek information were reviewed against Tourist Care Uttarakhand and BKTC in July 2026. The official registration page has not yet published fixed 2026 public temple and aarti hours. Helicopter fares and operating rules change seasonally; use only heliyatra.irctc.co.in.