Top Attractions of Kedarnath Temple Dham Yatra.
Kedarnath is one of the holiest spots among the four Dhams in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is a nagar panchayat in Rudraprayag district. The most remote of the four Char Dham sites, Kedarnath is located in the Himalayas, about 3584m above sea level near the head of river Mandakini, and is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks. Kedarnath hosts one of the holiest Hindu temples and is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims from all over the world.
1. Chandrashila
One among the pictorial locations in the Rudraprayag District, Chandrashila is placed at an elevation of 3679 m. Its easy accessibility makes it a much-desired trekking spot in the locality. This peak is suitable for trekking and allied activities except in December to January. Chandrashila trek is categorized as a moderate-level trek, which would take a complete week.
2. Chopta
Yet another fascinating trek through the snowy environment that is what Chopt offers. A remote locale on the high ranges of the Himalayas is bestowed with eye-catching spectacles of the majestic mountains and lush meadows. This picture book location at an altitude of 2900 meters provides unblemished surroundings to the visitors.
3. Gaurikund
Gaurikund is the commencement point of the trek of 14 km to the sacred shrine of the Kedarnath. It is situated at an elevation of 1982 meters above sea level. The place is named after Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva, and a temple Gauri is also situated here. According to myths and legends, this is the place where Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva did penance involving ascetic and yoga practices to win over Shiva’s heart.
4. Sonprayad
Lying at an altitude of 1829 meters, Son Prayag holds a captivating appeal that grabs a large number of tourists each year. This tiny hamlet is situated at the convergence of two majestic rivers, Mandakini and Basuki. Bounded by lofty snow-clad peaks, this place offers an unruffled calmness. Adorned with all that is pretty, this lovely location catches anybody‘s attention.
5. Vasuki Tal
Bounded by the lofty mountain peaks of the majestic Himalayas, the landscapes in this holy city present picture-book sceneries. Vasuki Tal is one of the prettiest sights in Kedarnath which is liked for its glittering waters. A lake at an altitude of 4135 meters amid snowy mountains is a breathtaking sight.
6. Agastyamuni
Augustyamuni is famed for the temple in the sage Agastya. The popular belief is that the sage had meditated here for almost one year. This holy shrine at the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is thronged by thousands of devotees during the Baisakhi celebration. The old temple at this lofty place exemplifies excellent architecture and structural grandeur.
7. Kedarnath Temple
A temple believed to be constructed by Sankaracharya, Kedarnath temple in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas gains great religious significance. This might be one of the unique temples that demands a tiring trek to have a darshan of the deity. Winter in this region is so severe that the temple remains closed during those months.
8. Shankaracharya Samadhi
The famous Hindu philosopher Sri Sankaracharya is considered to be the rental of the Kedarnath shrine. History says that, in order to propagate his Advaita Philosophy he had made relentless journeys. It is believed that this great scholar came to Kedarnath and established this holy shrine and one of his four Maths in the 8th century. Shankaracharya Samadhi poses as an idyllic and tranquil location to the devotees. The magnificent temple in the backdrop adds its serenity.
9. Bhairav Nath Temple
Bhairav Nath Temple, one of the most auspicious visiting places of Kedarnath situated inside the region of the principal temple complex, is a standout amongst the most prevalent temples after Kedarnath temple. Devoted to God after Bhairav, the sanctuary is situated toward the south of the principal sanctuary.
10. Deoriatal
Deoria Tal(Also spelled as Devaria’ or ‘Deoriya) famous attraction of Kedarnath is a lake located about 3 km on an uphill trek from the villages of Mastura and Sari, on the Ukhimath-Chopta road in Uttarakhand. At an altitude of about 2438 meters, it has heavily wooded, lush green surroundings with snow-covered mountains.
11. Kalpeshwar Mandir
Kalpeshwar Mandir is visited to worship Lord Shiva as ‘Jatadhar’, because of the existence of entwined hair. It is situated at a height of 2134 m above sea level in Chamoli district. This is the only temple out of the five temples of Panch Kedar that remains open in all the seasons.
12. Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary
The Kanchula Korak Deer Musk Sanctuary is a tourist place in Kedarnath that houses the famous Musk Deer and more importantly, an abundance of lush green vegetation, a lot of varieties of which are claimed by locales to have not even been scientifically classified yet. It is situated 7 km from Chopta on Chopta – Gopeshwar Road.
13. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, sprawling over a territory of 967 sq. km, was set up in 1972. Situated in the area of Chamoli, it is named after the renowned Kedarnath temple. Arranged on the catchment zone of Alaknanda River, which incorporates low and coniferous, high and Bugyals.
14. Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Shiva is worshiped at Madhyamaheshwar in the form of a naval-shaped lingam. Located at the base of Chaukhamba peak, at an altitude of 3289 meters, the classic temple architecture belongs to the north- Indian style. So sanctified is the water here that even a few drops are considered sufficient for absolution.
15. Rudranath Mandir
Rudranath Mandir is a rock temple one of Kedarnath sightseeing that is located in the Chamoli District near Chopta Village. One of the Panch Kedars, Lord Shiva is worshiped as Neelkanth in this temple. Vaitarani River, also known as the ‘Water of Salvation’ flows behind the Rudranath Temple.
16. Triyuginarayan
Triyuginarayan is another famous place in Kedarnath situated at a distance of 5 km trek from Son Prayag. Situated in an excellent town in Rudraprayag, this spot is renowned for its old temples, which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple situated inside the destination has its engineering and plan taking after to the Kedarnath altar.
17. Tungnath Temple
Tungnath(3 km.) is one of the best foliage scenic places to see in Kedarnath which is situated at an elevation of about 3680 mts above sea level, the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. En route exotic varieties of rhododendrons, while flowers and shrub-like trees can be seen in abundance. Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary(74 km)
18. Ukhimath
Ukhimath is a journey site in Kedarnath locate, Uttarakhand, India. It is at a rise of 1311 meters and a separation of 41 km from Kedarnath Temple, During the winters, the idols from Kedarnath Temple, and Madhyamaheshwar are conveyed to Ukhimath And revered there for six months.
Things to do in Kedarnath
1. Trek to Kedarnath Temple
- Timings: 4 am to 9 pm
- Time required: 1 day
- Best time to Visit: May to June, September to October
- Location: Rudraprayag District
2. Attend puja and aarti
- Timing: 6 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 7:30 pm
- Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
- Best time to Visit: April to November
- Location: Chamoli District
3. Trek to Tungnath Temple
- Timings: 6 am to 12 pm, 3 pm to 7 pm
- Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: April to November
- Location: Rudraprayag
4. Visit Shankaracharya Samadhi
- Timings: 7 am to 9 pm
- Time Required: 1 to 2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: September to November, April to June
- Location: Behind the Kedarnath temple
5. Meditate at Rudra Cave
- Timings: Check-in and Check out at 12:00 pm
- Time Required: 3 days maximum
- Best time to Visit: May to October
- Location: 1 km from Kedarnath Temple
6. Trek to Syalsaur
- Timings:8 am to 8 pm
- Time Required: 1 to 2 days
- Best time to Visit: April to October
- Location: Situated on the banks of River Mandakini
7. Stroll Through Phata
- Timings:6 am to 6 pm(helicopter service timings)
- Time Required: 2 to 3 hours(to explore the village)
- Best time to Visit: March to June, September to November
- Location: Rudraprayag
8. Trek to Mayali Pass
- Timings: 6 am to 6 pm
- Time Required: 6-7 days
- Best time to Visit: March to June, September to November
- Location: 15 km from Kedar
9. Visit Sunset Point
- Timings: 5:40 am to 5:40 pm
- Time Required: 2-3 hours
- Best time to Visit: May to November
- Location: Garhwal Himalayas
10. Visit Deoria Tal
- Timings: 12 am to 12 pm
- Time Required: 2-3 hours(trek timings)
- Best time to Visit: April to June, September to November
- Location: Saari Village
Places To Visit near Kedarnath Temple
There is no harm in exploring more, especially if you have the opportunity. Hence, once you are done with Kedarnath Temple Sightseeing, you can opt for moving around in the nearby places like,
- Badrinath
- Gangotri
- Yamunotri
- Uttarkashi
- Rishikesh
- Haridwar
- Almora
- Nainital
- Dehradun
- Mussoorie
- Kalimath
- Gopeshwar
- Joshimath
Best Time To Visit Kedarnath
Visiting Kedarnath tourist places all year round is not preferable. The winters in those areas are harsh and not at all favorable. Summer is the ebay season as the weather favors all activities and indulgence. Let us look at the best months to visit Kedarnath.
- Summer Season(April-June):
This is the best season to visit. The temperature is appropriate for various kinds of activities like trekking, camping, etc. you do not tire out easily. However, since this is the peak season, you might have to struggle your way through crowds.
- Monsoon Season(July-September):
Usually, rainfall is not frequent and common in Kedarnath; however, when it does, it creates havoc. Hence, it is best not to take chances and plan your Kedarnath Yatra accordingly.
- Winter Season(October-March):
This is the most unfavorable weather of all, especially in places like Kedarnath. This is apt for those who have high endurance power. Make sure you are carrying a bag of essentials like medicines, winter garments, etc.
How to Reach Kedarnath
Kedarnath is well connected with all the major states by either flight, rail, or roadways. Hence, reaching Kedarnath from across the country is not at all a big deal. Let us look at the three major ways you can make this commute.
- By Air:
Jolly Grant is the nearest airport to Kedarnath, which is 239 km away. It receives numerous flights from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Bangalore, etc. you can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Kedarnath,
- By Rail:
This is the best route possible because it is faster and more affordable. The nearby railway stations are Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Kotdwar. You can take a bus or taxi from any of these stations to reach Kedarnath Temple.
- By Road:
The last bus station is Sonprayag. You can take the bus service from nearby places like Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Kotdwar.
- By Helicopter:
This is one of the most expensive but fastest options. You can reach Kedarnath Temple from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, and Kotdwar by Helicopter.
Where To Stay In Kedarnath?
Are you looking for the best places to stay in Kedarnath? Let us help you out with a list of top hotels for you to choose from:
- MVN Kedarnath
- Hotel Shri Bikaner House
- Swargarohini Cottages GMVN
- Jodhpur House 2
- Kedar Valley Resorts
- Triple S residency
- Yatra Hill Resort
- Bagwari House
- Gujarat Bhawan
- Hotel Behl Ashram
- Prithvi Yatra Hotel
- Sitapur House 2
Kedarnath Famous Things To Buy
Shopping is another of the major Things to do in Kedarnath. You should not end your Kedarnath Temple Yatra without getting souvenirs and things to gift your loved ones. Listed below are the common items that you can get in the local stores. Like,
- Rudraksha Mala
- Shiva Lingam
- Brass Diya
- Bhagavad Gita
- Pashmina Shawl
- Local Handicraft
- Jams, Pickles, Honey, Wine
- Woolen clothing
You can get all these things within or around the Kedarnath Temple vicinity. However, the best places to shop are Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, Almora, Badrinath, etc.
What are the Famous Foods of Kedarnath?
While enjoying your Kedarnath Temple sightseeing, you will surely feel like munching on something or another, like momos or sipping piping hot tea. Let us share some of the best food options you can opt for. The two popular cuisine options in this area are Pahari and Garhwali cuisine. Some of the common Dishes included here are,
- Thechwani
Mountain radish and mountain potato are mashed together with different spices, ginger, and herbs. A curry is made out of all these components and paired with bread or rice.
- Chansu
The black lentils are roasted and ground till finely powdered. A curry is made out of this powder along with other ingredients like automatic herbs and spices. You can eat it with either rice or chapati.
- Phaana
Lentils like Gahat and Kulath are used here to make the batter for the dish. They are first soaked overnight before grinding into a batter. This batter is then used for the gravy and also to make the small pancakes. The dish is served with rice and Chutney.
- Kafuli
The main ingredients of this dish are spinach, onion, ginger, garlic, and aromatic spices, which enhance the taste of the dish considerably. You can have it with rice or bread.
- Aloo Ke Gutke Kumaoni
This is the most common street food in the region. The dish is made up of fried potatoes, which are seasoned with coriander leaves, chili flakes, and various other spices to make it more tangy and tasty.
Conclusion
Several of us feel that Kedarnath is just a religious place. Well, it is majorly so, but there are many other places to see in Kedarnath and exciting things to do as well. If you are still skeptical about booking your tour to Kedarnath Temple, then carefully ensure that it includes all the activities you are excited to indulge in.
