Kedarnath is a sacred and pious pilgrimage site in India. It is located in the hilly terrains of the State of Uttarakhand and attracts millions of pilgrims and trekkers annually. Kedarnath is an essential place for Hindus because it is a Char Dham Place. It is an ancient temple devoted to Lord Shiva, which is supposed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Pilgrims around the globe come to worship in this divine sanctuary through an arduous journey every year. Well, now we will dip into the history and attractions of Kedarnath and travel there.
Kedarnath has a thousand-year-old history. As Hindu mythology suggests, the Pandavas constructed the temple after the war in the place of Kurukshetra. They wanted Lord Shiva to bless them and forgive their sins. It is said that the temple was constructed by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya, who rebuilt it during the 8th century. Kedarnath has become another pilgrimage center for devotees who need spiritual peace and solace.
The temple is at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) and presents challenging weather conditions, being exposed to the sun only six months a year. People believe that the temple's sanctity is further enhanced by its setting in the snow-capped mountains that offer a peaceful place to pray and meditate.
Kedarnath does not only deal with the temple. It is also an attractive scenery with the serenity of nature. Some of its key attractions are:
Kedarnath - Badrinath
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Rishikesh - Yamunotri - Gangotri - Kedarnath - Badrinath - Rishikesh
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The pilgrimage to Kedarnath is difficult, as the temple is situated in an isolated region of Uttarakhand. Nevertheless, the sacred place can be achieved in different ways:
The closest railway station to Kedarnath is in Rishikesh, about 216 kilometers away. You can find a taxi or a bus there to get to the beginning of the trek.
The closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun, which is the nearest airport to Kedarnath (238 km). You can take a taxi to Gaurikund, which is the starting point of the trek, and it can be easily reached by taxi from the airport.
Kedarnath can be reached by road from Uttarakhand cities. Taxis and regular buses leave Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun for Gaurikund. The journey to Kedarnath begins at Gaurikund and lasts 6-7 hours.
Kedarnath can only be reached at specific times of the year due to harsh weather conditions. The most suitable time to visit will be determined by the season:
People prefer to visit Kedarnath during the summer. The weather is favorable, and the temperature is between 7 o C and 15 o C, which is a perfect trekking and sightseeing environment. The temple opens its gates to the pilgrims sometime in late April, and the beauty of the mountainous landscapes in and around the temple is in full bloom.
The monsoon season is when visiting Kedarnath is unsuitable since it is highly rainy, and landslides or slippery footpaths are the primary reasons. It rains a lot in the area, and sometimes it may be unsafe to travel. The monsoons should also be avoided to be on the safe side of things.
Winters in Kedarnath are very cold, and the temperature can drop to -10 °C. The temple will be closed during this time of the year because of the heavy snow. But, when you are a fan of the snow and the serenity of winter, it is an excellent time to avoid company in the area. Be advised that visitation during these months is only recommended by the most experienced trekkers.
