Kedarnath is one of the Char Dhams in the north, with Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is also one of India’s twelve jyotirlingas, and the highest. Kedarnath is regarded as extremely holy and difficult to approach.

However, the true history of Kedarnath begins with the Pandavas. After the Mahabharatha war, the Pandavas and Draupadi sought penance. Killing one’s own kin was a severe sin, therefore they sought atonement from Lord Shiva in the Himalayan highlands. They saw Lord Shiva right where the Kedarnath sanctuary sits today.

Lord Shiva was unprepared to forgive them. So he disguised himself as a bull and buried himself to escape being discovered. However, the Pandavas recognised him, and Bhima tugged on his tail and back legs. Mahadev was buried deeper beneath the soil before resurfacing in 5 locations: the hump in Kedarnath, the arms in Tungnath, the face in Rudranath, the belly in Madhyamaheshwar, and the head in Kalpeshwar. These come together to form the Panch Kedar.

The Pandavas subsequently built temples in all five of these locations, which absolved their crimes.

Where Is Kedarnath Located?

Kedarnath is situated in the deep recesses of Uttarakhand, bordering Tibet. On one side, there are the Gangotri mountains, where the Ganga originates. On the other side is the sacred land of Badrinath. To get to any of these locations, you’ll need to take a lengthy road diversion.

Sonaprayag, the last village before Kedarnath, is 210 miles from Rishikesh via road and 246 kilometers from Dehradun. While it may appear to be a little distance, the journey can last up to ten hours. Kedarnath is also located at an elevation of 11,755 feet, and the main shrine is not accessible by road or car. There are numerous ways to get to the shrine. Please see the ‘How to Reach’ section below.

When Is Kedarnath Open For Visitors?

Kedarnath’s opening and closing dates vary each year because it follows the Hindu calendar. The shrine is currently open from the first day of Vaishakh (April-May) until the first day of Karthik (October-November). Diwali is traditionally the first day that the temple is closed.

During the winter, the temple and its surroundings are covered in deep snow and become dormant. The temple is currently inaccessible.

The temple is open all day, from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. It closes for lunch and reopens from 5 to 9 p.m. The morning puja is held from 4:00 to 7:00 a.m., while the evening puja is held between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m.

Yatra Registration For Kedarnath

Following the 2013 flash floods, local officials set up a yatra registration system to limit the number of visitors to the Kedarnath Dham. Everyone must register online before starting their journey.

If you are trekking to Kedarnath, you will need to show your yatra epass. Make sure you have it before arriving. If you cannot do it yourself, try hiring someone in the vicinity for a charge (about ₹50, may change during busy season).

You will surely require this e-pass and registration to book a helicopter ticket online. Beginning in 2022, you will be expected to upload your Covid-19 certificate when registering.

Where To Stay During Kedarnath Travel?

In Guptakashi Or Sonaprayag

You will most likely need to spend a night or two in Guptakashi or Sonaprayag (if hiking), as this will serve as your base for your Kedarnath excursion. You must begin and end your journey at GuptaKashi, regardless of the mode of conveyance.

Guptakashi has a wide variety of hotels, ranging from inexpensive to mid-range. However, you are unlikely to discover super-luxurious ones in the neighborhood. While the hotel prices are equal to other hill stations during the regular months, they rise during the high season. We found super-basic lodgings (without heating or geysers) for ₹3000 per night.

The motels in Sonaprayag are somewhat basic, yet they are recommended if you want to start your journey the next morning.

Issues To Keep Note

As I indicated at the start of this article, I have mixed feelings regarding my journey. And, while I do not wish to scare you with my (personal) beliefs, I believe you should keep a few things in mind.

1. Keep in mind that the number of pilgrims making this journey is enormous. So expect it to be bustling everywhere! Hotels are full, and transportation, including ponies and helicopters, is overbooked. The queues are long, and the options are restricted. If you’re travelling with the elderly or children, be prepared to pay for their discomfort with money.

2.According to ecologists, the 2013 floods were caused by overpopulation, overdevelopment, and excessive tourism. And, while local officials sought to keep this under control in subsequent years, as of 2022, there is basically no supervision or controls on activities. We’ll be back at square one soon.

3.The seven helicopter companies who operate helicopters in this region frequently fail to follow the proper laws and safety criteria. The result was the helicopter crash on October 22. And you will not be surprised. The helicopters are booked at two to five times their normal capacity. This means less rest periods for both helicopters and pilots. Negligence is frequent. Some operators perform better than others, but no one can ensure a safe return.

4.All of the facilities along this road are relatively pricey, particularly during peak season. I probably paid as much as I would for a week-long vacation abroad, ignoring geyser motels and nasty drivers. If you’re searching for a vacation, this is not it. If you’re a pilgrim, take things as they come.

5.Only emergency and basic medical care are available in the region. Take special cautious around the elderly and children. Keep your prescriptions with you; don’t expect to find them here. In the event of an emergency, you may be transported via helicopter, which must be self-funded.