Situated at an altitude of 3,584 m above sea level in the lap of towering Himalayan peaks, Kedarnath is one of the holiest pilgrim centers in North India. It is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, which allows devotees to partake in this holy sojourn. You can plan a weekend getaway from Delhi to Kedarnath by different modes of transport.
Kedarnath is famous for the ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This beautiful place is closely associated with the mighty Pandavas and puts forth a legend. As per the legends, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull here at Kedarnath to hide from Pandavas. When noticed by the Pandavas, the lord plunged his head into the earth, leaving the hump on the surface. The place is not only famed for temples and shrines. The undulating landscapes of this snowy region offer delightful times for adventure activities. The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June and September to November.Situated at an altitude of 3,584 m above sea level in the lap of towering Himalayan peaks, Kedarnath is one of the holiest pilgrim centers in North India. It is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, which allows devotees to partake in this holy sojourn. It is easily accessible from Delhi by different modes of transport.
Kedarnath is famous for the ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This beautiful place is closely associated with the mighty Pandavas and puts forth a legend. As per the legends, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull here at Kedarnath to hide from Pandavas. When noticed by the Pandavas, the lord plunged his head into the earth, leaving the hump on the surface. The place is not only famed for temples and shrines. The undulating landscapes of this snowy region offer delightful times for adventure activities. The best time to visit Kedarnath is from May to June and September to November.
How to Reach Kedarnath from Delhi
By Train
The nearest railway station from Kedarnath is the Rishikesh railway station. It is 216 km away from Kedarnath. After that, one has to travel 207 km via road and 14 km on foot to reach Kedarnath. Rishikesh is well-connected with Delhi by regular trains. The buses and taxis are easily available from the Rishikesh railway station for Kedarnath.
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest airport to Kedarnath. It is around 239 km away from Kedarnath. Jolly Grant Airport is well-connected to Delhi Airport. You will have to hire a cab or board a shared taxi from Dehradun airport to Kedarnath.
By Road
There is no direct bus service between Delhi and Kedarnath. If you are coming from Delhi, take a bus to Rishikesh and get down. From here, bus services are available between Rishikesh and Gauri Kund. You can travel to Kedarnath on foot from Gaurikund.
Attractions in Kedarnath
Chandrashila
Situated at 3679 meters in the Rudraprayag district, Chandrashila is a suitable place for trekking and adventure activities except in December and January. A trek to Chandrashila will unfold majestic views of the snow-clad mountain peaks. On the pinnacle, there is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is also a worthy visit.
Chopta
Perched at 2900 meters, Chopta offers splendid views of the mountains. It is a part of the protected area of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, a natural turf for many rare species in the animal kingdom. The picturesque surroundings of Chopta make it a hot spot for adventurous people as it offers ample opportunities for trekking.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a tiny village situated at 1829 meters, at the meeting point of two majestic rivers – Mandakini and Basuki. Encompassed by snow-capped mountain peaks, Sonprayag offers an undisturbed calmness. Besides its picturesque appeal, this tourist place is a highly revered religious place.
Vasuki Tal
Famed for its innumerable shrines, Vasuki Tal is one of the holiest places in India. Every nook and corner of this place is dotted with Hindu temples. Besides these holy shrines, Kedarnath offers a picturesque ambiance that grabs the attention of lots of tourists. It is one of the beautiful sites in Kedarnath, famed for its scintillating waters. Also, Vasuki Tal is a much sought-after place for trekking enthusiasts.
Agastyamuni
Named after the famous sage ‘Agastya’, Agastyamuni Temple is a holy shrine in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Legend has it that sage Agastyamuni had meditated here for almost a year. During Baisakhi celebrations, this place is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The old temple represents excellent architecture and has walls carved with the images of numerous gods and goddesses in Hindu mythology.
Kedarnath Temple
Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya, Kedarnath Temple, located in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, has great religious importance. It is one of the most unique temples that require a tedious trek to have Darshan of the deity. The temple has its place in the list of twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.
