Kedarnath Dham is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Dham is the most prominent place of worship for “Lord Shiva” devotees. The air is echoing with the name of Lord Shiva in the midst of huge snow-covered peaks, enchanting meadows, and dense forests of the lower range of Himalayan mountains. On the top of the Mandakini River and in the heart of the holy Himalayas, just at the height of 3,584 m. One can reach the dham via road, rail, and air.
The pilgrimage to Kedarnath Dham is often initiated from the capital city of India, i.e., Delhi. No express trains or buses to Kedarnath Dham will take you off at Dehradun station. On your way to Dehradun from Delhi, you can take a flight, train, or road trip. If you prefer traveling by road, then head to Delhi and take a bus. Buses leave for Dehradun daily, and the ride usually takes 5 to 6 hours. Once you get to Dehradun, you will go by taxi or public bus to Gaurikund. Gaurikund is the last motorable stop before reaching Kedarnath Dham. From Gaurikund, you must follow a 16 Km trek to reach Kedarnath Temple.
How To Reach Kedarnath by Air
The Nearest airport to Kedarnath Dham is the Jolly Grant Airway, in Dehradun, about 250 Km away from Kedarnath Dham. This airport features excellent connections to all major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Lucknow) with direct flights. However, it is also possible to source helicopters by selecting them on Sahastradhara Road near Dehradun. This service will take you directly to any of one the three closest helipads of Kedarnath and from there you can continue your Yatra.
*Kedarnath Yatra Registration is mandatory before going to the Kedarnath Dham or Chardham Yatra.*
Kedarnath by Helicopter
One convenient method to reach Kedarnath is by helicopter, which departs from various places in Uttarakhand. Helicopter services to Kedarnath can be availed from places such as Dehradun, Guptkashi, Phata, etc. The Uttarakhand Government fixes the rate of helicopter services every year. You can consider booking Chardham Yatra by Helicopter services that will take you to all four Dhams via helicopter instead of the long roads.
How To Reach Kedarnath by Train
There is no railway station in Kedarnath Dham. The closest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station. At a distance of almost 210 km from Gaurikund, Rishikesh Railway Station has good connectivity with all major cities in India and has daily trains. Once in Rishikesh, you can take a bus or a taxi to Gaurikund.
How To Reach Kedarnath by Road
When planning on how to reach Kedarnath via road, you can either reach Rishikesh or Haridwar and then take a bus or a taxi to reach Gaurikund, the last motorable stop to reach Kedarnath. From Rishikesh, you must travel to Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Gaurikund. Following Gaurikund, you must start your 16 km trek to reach Kedarnath Dham. Besides trekking, you can hire a pony or palki to take you to the temple. Pilgrims also have the option to book Do Dham Yatra by helicopter which will help them to cover both Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham on the same day.
Best Time to Visit Kedarnath
The best time to visit Kedarnath Dham is from May to November. In monsoons, the road conditions worsen, and the chances of landslides increase. Therefore, summer is the best time to carry out a Kedarnath pilgrimage tour. Plan your yatra visit during April/May till June. July to September is a risky period and it is advisable not to plan the Yatra as it will lead to high rainfall and landslides, causing disruptions. However, the holy shrine becomes inaccessible for devotees during winter as the region receives severe snowfall and adverse weather conditions.
Places to Visit Near Kedarnath
Kedarnath Temple
One of the prominent centers of pilgrimage in India, Kedarnath Dham Temple is located in the huge snow-clad mountain ranges, where the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is worshiped. The temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. According to legends, the Pandavas were here to seek salvation for the sins they had committed at the Battle of Kurukshetra.
Guptkashi
It must be added to the list of places around Kedarnath Dham. This spot is ideal for pilgrims to rest after their trekking journey to the Kedarnath temple. Guptkashi is quite popular for the Ardhnarishwar and Kashi Vishwanath temples.
Bhairavnath Temple
It is the abode of Lord Bhairav and it is a belief that he protects the Kedarnath Dham, particularly during winter. People around the world flood into this place to worship the Lord. Bhairavnath is also Kaal Bhairav and Kshetrapal.
Shankaracharya Samadhi
The Mahasamadhi of Adi Guru Sri Shankaracharya is a popular spot to visit in the revered town of Kedarnath. Tales say that Adi Guru Shankaracharya took Samadhi here at the tender age of 32 when he had already set up the four sacred sites of Chota Char Dham—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. The resting place of Shankaracharya offers a quaint and solitary place for pilgrims to get rid of all their worries and feel completely rejuvenated and relaxed.
Gaurikund
Gaurikund, situated at a remarkable height of 1982 m, is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is said that she worshiped here to please Lord Shiva. In addition, the hot water spring of Gaurikund is not only of medicinal benefit but also holy for washing away the sins of the devotees who visit here. The temple houses Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva’s idols.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a beautiful small town located at an altitude of 1829 meters. It is also where two holy rivers—Sone-Ganga and Mandakini—meet. According to a legend, taking a dip in the holy water of these rivers results in good fortune and the blessings of God. A visit to this place is a must during the yatra to Kedarnath to savour a memorable experience.
Conclusion
We hope that you find all the details about How to reach Kedarnath. Plan your travel well in advance. Have the route map with you and decide if you wish to trek or cover the Yatra via helicopter. Ensure that you take regular weather updates and stay safe throughout the Yatra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1). What kind of Clothes do you wear during Kedarnath Yatra?
For the Kedarnath yatra, wear layers of wool or thermal clothes, a waterproof jacket, trekking pants, and sturdy shoes or boots. Also, bring rain gear and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Q2). Is oxygen low in Kedarnath Temple?
Above 8,000 feet, people need more oxygen to breathe. Kedarnath needs 87% oxygen at that altitude.
Q3). Does Mobile work in Kedarnath?
Reliance Jio is the first telecom company to offer mobile and internet services on the trekking path between Gaurikund and Kedarnath.
Q4). What is the best way to reach Kedarnath?
The easiest and the fastest way to reach Kedarnath is by Helicopter.
Q5). Which are the best and most trustworthy Travel Agents for the Chardham Yatra in India?
Vaayu Aviation is the Best Travel Agency for the Chardham Yatra in India.
