After the Mahabharata, the Pandavas constructed the Kedarnath temple, according to folklore. After killing their brother Kaurav to atone for their misdeeds, it is believed that the Pandavas wished to seek Lord Shiva’s pardon. However, Lord Shiva was averse to seeing them. Lord Shiva hid in Guptkashi because of this.

Adi Shankaracharya built the current temple after restoring the shrine’s splendour in the eighth century A.D. One of India’s 12 jyotirlingas, the temple is said to be more than 1,200 years old.

How to reach

Air: The closest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant, which is located 238 kilometres away. With daily flights, Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi. Jolly Grant Airport and Gaurikund are well connected by motorable roads. From Jolly Grant Airport, taxis are easily accessible to Gaurikund.

Train: So, how about taking a train to Kedarnath via Delhi?

Kedarnath, which is situated approximately 220 miles away, is the closest railway station to Rishikesh. So, how about taking a train to Kedarnath via Delhi?

The closest train station to Kedarnath, which is about 220 miles away, is Rishikesh. It has good connections with other parts of the nation’s major cities and communities. You can either take a bus or a cab from the train station to Gaurikund.

Gaurikund is the nearest area from where you can reach Kedarnath Temple easily. Interstate bus services run around it and connect the vicinity with Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Haryana. It is located near National Highway 109. So if you want to get there, first you need to reach Rishikesh, and then you can take a bus or cab to Kedarnath.

Bus: The area closest to the Kedarnath Temple is called Gaurikund. The area is connected to Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Haryana by interstate bus service that circles the area. It is close to National Route 109. So, to get there, you must first get to Rishikesh, from whence you can take a bus or a cab to Kedarnath.

Bus transportation, private cabs, or self-driven cars are all options for traveling to Kedarnath by road. One can choose from a variety of options based on what is most pleasant and convenient for them. However, if you’re traveling from Delhi, take a direct bus operated by the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation from ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Gaurikund, from whence you can continue your walk. Cabs and self-driven cars are similarly unavailable, as there are no other options from Gaurikund aside from trekking or using the Palki service, Kandi, and mule/ponies. These services are available for booking at Gaurikund and Sonprayag. However, the costs vary based on the service and the distance you select.

Animals are compelled to carry rides all day long with minimal stops for rest and water, and young stars strive to ignore this. Many horses become fatigued, sick, and malnourished.

Well, you may fly to Kedarnath

Yes, you may travel to Kedarnath by air, which is also quite relaxing. So, if you wish to avoid the strenuous trip, you can choose to travel by air to Kedarnath by just making a reservation for a helicopter. From Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun, helicopter service is accessible. Six aviation businesses offer helicopter services if you wish to go by helicopter. Due to excessive rain, helicopter services are not available from mid-July to mid-Sept. It is practically never possible to obtain tickets on-site, so always take your tickets in advance.

How to reserve a helicopter for Kedarnath and where to do it

The reservation may only be made through the website https://heliservices.uk.gov.in/
Travelers will need to reserve their tickets for a specified date and time
You must register on the website to purchase a ticket
The visitor must carry a physical copy or printed copy / hard copy of the ticket if the booking is successful. No digital tickets will be accepted
Valid identification should be carried by every traveler

REMINDER

Remind yourself to start your Kedarnath trek early in the day because you can only hike there between 4:00 am and 1:30 pm. Because Kedarnath Dham is located inside a wildlife sanctuary and treks outside of these hours are prohibited, this is the case. Start early in the morning from Gaurikund so that by noon you can reach till temple. Have darshan and Stay overnight at the GMVN facility at Temple. and the next day’s morning start for Gaurikund.

Which action should you take when trekking?

Start the day off right with a nutritious, filling breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast before you trek is crucial because it will keep you going and aid in recovery
Bring light, filling, and nutritious food to keep you going on the journey
Prevent sugar
Have at least 4 liters of water to drink
Here are some things to carry while hiking that one must not forget while embarking on a journey to prevent the predicament of feeling stuck at altitude
Water Bottle: It’s Vital to Stay Hydrated
The Best Trekking Essential is a backpack
Shoes For Trekking: Comfortable And Strong Grip
Flashlight for night time and camping excursions
Use hand sanitizer to avoid spreading germs
Trekking Pants: The Highest Level of Comfort
Snacks: Bid Farewell to Hunger Pangs
A Very Useful Personal Medical Kit
When It’s Too Cold Or Too Hot: Headgear
Nobody Wants Sun damage, So Use Sunscreen Or Sunblock
Trek Map: Maintaining Your Direction
Powerbank: Maintain Your Devices’ Charge
For A Painless Walk, Use A Walking Pole
Swiss Knife: The Easiest Item To Transport
Raincoat: Protecting You From the Harsh Weather

Kedarnath Opening & Closing time

According to estimates made by Omkareshwar priests, the date of the Kedarnath Temple’s opening hinges on the auspicious days of “Akshay Tritya” and “Maha Shiva Ratri.”

Additionally, Mahashivratri has been designated as Kedarnath Dham’s opening day. Kedarnath’s closing date has been fixed, and on the day of Bhai Dooj (the day after Diwali in November), the temple will be closed after Pooja Archana in the morning. Numerous pilgrims traveling to Kedarnath from all around the nation and the world view the opening of Kedarnath Kapaat as a fortunate occasion. Only when the Kedarnath Temple’s Puja had been opened by priests could pilgrims have a darshan. The opening and closing ceremonies are very spectacular. Baba Kedar Doli is transported by Garhwal Bands to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, Kedarnath’s winter residence.

Best time to visit Kedarnath

Kedarnath experiences cool summers in keeping with the Himalayan climate, while the winters are extremely harsh and difficult. Traveling to temples, taking in surrounding sites, and sightseeing are all best done during the summer. The summertime average temperature is about 17 degrees.

The region has frequently seen hefty rains during the challenging monsoon season. 12 degrees are typical during the monsoon.

April marks the start of the season, and it lasts through the monsoon season and the end of the season. The ideal months to visit Kedarnath are May, June, September, and October because of its frigid environment for most of the year.

This holy Dham or Temple is closed from November-March (winter) owing to the harsh cold and frequent snowfall. The trails to reach Kedarnath get blocked due to snow. The ideal months to visit Kedarnath are May, June, September, and October because of its frigid environment for most of the year. Kedarnath is prone to landslides in the monsoon. Therefore, you must avoid going there from July to August.

Day by day plan

Day 1

Reach Rishikesh. Try to reach reach Rishikesh in the sharp morning. You may take a bus or a Tata Sumo to Sonprayag from the Rishikesh Bus Terminal.

Although it might be difficult to get direct buses to Sonprayag, consider Guptkashi (https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/guptkashi.php), which is a well-established town in the final town before Kedarnath. Daily bus service is also provided from major towns in Uttarakhand to Guptkashi. However, you may also take a bus to Rudraprayag and then from Rudraprayag to Guptkashi (https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/rudraprayag.php). You may continue your journey from Guptkashi to Sonprayag (https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/sonprayag.php) using shared Jeeps or Tata Sumo vehicles.

Rishikesh on Day 1 (211 miles; 8 hours) to Sonprayag or Gaurikund Sonprayag biometric registration. Every passenger must register their biometric information, as per a government order from Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand tourism website has this registration option as well, or you may go to How to Do Char Dham Biometric Registration Online (https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/char-dham-biometric-registration.php). If you didn’t make it there, you can still finish this procedure by getting to Sonprayag. For this registration, you must have your ADHAR CARD with you or Id card like an Aadhar card, voter id card, PAN number, driving license, or passport.

HOTELS TO STAY AT GAURIKUND

P Kedarnath ji hotel

WARM SPRING

Hindus who visit to take a dip in Gaurikund’s hot spring regard it as one of their holiest places. It is believed that taking a nosedive in the holy water of the pond will give a person spiritual cleansing. The beginning point of the well-known Kedarnath temple hike is Gaurikund, which is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The well-known Sacred Yatra Kedarnath temple trek begins here.