Kedarnath in Kedarnath
· Summer: May-June (15°C - 30°C)
· Winter: November-April (0°C - 24°C)
· Monsoon: July-August
Best time to visit:
April-November
Opening Time: 06:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 08:00 p.m.
Weekly Holiday:
Entry Fees for Indians
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Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
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Blessed with picturesque beauty of snow-clad mountains and lavish green forests, the holy town of Kedarnath is home to Kedarnath Temple, revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple is visited as a part of the world-famous Chota Char Dham Yatra which covers four important pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand, the other three being Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Located at the height of about 11,755 ft. on the bank of sacred River Mandaikini, the temple houses a conical-shaped stone Shiva Lingam which is believed to be thousands of years old.
According to the popular legends, the temple was built by the five Pandavas of Mahabharata who performed tough penance here to please Lord Shiva. The present day temple was reconstructed in the 8th century by the eminent saint Adi Shankaracharya who also has his Samadhi near to the temple. The shrine is nestled amidst snow-covered peaks of Himalayas and the whole place is filled with inimitable mysticism. Many popular treks from the temple let the adventurers explore lakes, glaciers and other stunning sights.
One must be physically fit to trek the 14 km. long route to reach the temple. Kedarnath was the worst hit area during the 2013 flash floods. It is recommended to have complete weather information before starting the trip to this divine place.
Connectivites
Road:
Gaurikund, the trekking base of Kedarnath, is connected by hill roads to places as far as Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi. Taxis (prefer SUVs) are the most convenient modes to travel on these roads that may be rough at places. From Gaurikund, you can access the main temple on a 14 km. long trek. Ponies and palanquins are also available for the purpose.
Railway:
Gaurikund is about 212 km. from the closest railway station located at Rishikesh. From the station, one must choose to hire a taxi that can be booked without any hassle.
Airway:
Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is about 229 km. from Gaurikund. You can hire a taxi from the airport to reach the base. During Char Dham Yatra, helicopter services are also offered from this airport to various destinations of the circuit.