Kedarnath Dham Yatra
Kedarnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India. Being one of the most religious places of worship for Hindu pilgrims, it has great spiritual significance. The famous Kedarnath Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is located here.
The temple’s history is rooted in Hindu mythology, and its beautiful buildings are set against a gorgeous background of verdant greenery and snow-capped hills. At this holy location, pilgrims face difficulties in terrain and weather in search of benefits, especially during the yearly Char Dham Yatra. Also, Kedarnath and these four shrines (Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar) are known as Panch Kedar.
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4 Day Kedarnath Yatra
This 4-day Kedarnath tour package includes a road tour from Haridwar to Guptkashi, a visit to Kedarnath for darshan (worship), deluxe accommodations throughout the tour, and the services of a tour guide.
- Day 1 – Rishikesh to Guptkashi
- Day 2 – Guptakashi to Kedarnath
- Day 3 – Kedarnath Mandir Darshan
- Day 4 – Guptakashi to Rishikesh
After breakfast, drive to Guptkashi via Rudraprayag & Devprayag. En route, enjoy the scenic beauty of the Mandakini River at Tilwara, which originates from Kedarnath. Drive alongside the river to reach Guptakashi and visit the Ardh Narishwar Temple. Check into the hotel upon arrival in Guptakashi and stay overnight.
Guptakashi has a mythological significance. According to mythology, when the Pandava brothers were searching for a glimpse of Lord Shiva, he first concealed himself at Guptkashi and later fled further up the valley to Kedarnath. There are more tangible connections as well—the Kedarnath pandas (priests) live in Guptkashi during the winter months, and after the Kedarnath temple closes for winter, the image of Kedarnath passes through Gupt Kashi on its way to Ukhimath (across the valley), where it stays for the winter.
Guptkashi experiences pleasant weather in summer, with temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius. Winters are cold.
For the trekking route: If you choose to trek to Kedarnath, our car will drop you at Gaurikund, where your 24 km trek to Kedarnath will begin. The same route applies to your return journey.
From Gaurikund, we have to start the trek to Kedarnath by Pony, Doli, and Helicopter or tracking at your own, at your own cost. by the evening we will reach the Kedarnath for a night stay.
On day 3, You will get the Kedarnath temple darshan and also you can explore the nearby attractions.
Kedarnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a picturesque spot set against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name for Lord Shiva. According to legend, after winning the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas felt guilty for killing their brothers and sought Lord Shiva’s blessings for redemption.
He eluded them and took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. His remaining parts appeared at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar, worshipped as his manifestations. Kedarnath and these four shrines are known as Panch Kedar.
After breakfast, we will drive to Haridwar via Rishikesh. Rishikesh, known as the “place of sages,” is a revered spiritual town situated on the banks of the Ganga River, surrounded by the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. According to legend, when Raibhya Rishi performed intense penance, God appeared as “Hrishikesh,” giving the area its name. We will visit the famous temples and landmarks of Rishikesh, including Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, before dropping you off at Haridwar, where the tour concludes.
Kedarnath Temple Opening and Closing
The Kedarnath Temple’s opening date is determined by auspicious days like ‘Akshay Tritiya’ and ‘Maha Shivaratri’, as calculated by the priests of Omkareshwar. After being closed for winter, the temple will reopen in April-May with a special morning Pooja.
Additionally, the opening date of Kedarnath Dham has been announced as Mahashivratri.
The temple’s closing date is set for Bhai Dooj (the day after Diwali in November) when it will close after the morning of Pooja Archana. The opening of Kedarnath Kapaat is a significant event for pilgrims from across the country and the world. Pilgrims can only have darshan once the priests open the Puja at Kedarnath Temple.
The closing ceremony is also grand, with Garhwal Bands escorting Baba Kedar Doli to its winter abode at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
Attractions Nearby Kedarnath
Near Kedarnath, numerous other pilgrimage sites and tourist attractions exist, including high-altitude lakes and trekking spots. During a trip to Kedarnath, one can visit places like Triyuginarayan, Guptkashi, Chopta, Deoria Tal, Panch Kedar, Chandrashila, Kali Math, and Agastya Muni. Triyuginarayan is a legendary place where Lord Shiva and Parvati married, offering a vibrant experience of the region’s spirituality.
Chopta and Deoria Tal are considered among the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region, presenting stunning views of the Himalayan mountains and offering a glimpse of heaven.
In the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar temples, known as the Panch Kedar, are must-visit. Locals refer to them as Panch Kedar. The Panch Kedar holds great significance in Uttarakhand.
Apart from the spiritual experience, if one has a deep interest in architecture, ones should visit the Agastyeshwar Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Sage Agastya, which holds archaeological importance with its sculptures of deities carved on stones.
