• Tour Name: Kedarnath Ek Dham Yatra
• Location: Kedarnath Valley, Uttarakhand
• Duration: 4 Days from Haridwar
• Best Time – May – October

One of the sacred pilgrimages for people of Hinduism, Kedarnath Temple is located on the banks of the Mandakini River in Uttarakhand in the district of Rudraprayag. Historically known as Kedar Khand, the temple is situated at a height of 3,568 metres above sea level in front of the picturesque Himalayas and provides breathtaking views of vistas all around. Shri Kedarnath Dham is treated as the most important one of the 200 Lord Shiva shrines in our country and the auspicious journey to this temple is known as Kedarnath Yatra, which attracts flocks of tourists, devotees and trekkers every year.

The Kedarnath Yatra Route begins either from the capital city of India, Delhi, or from Haridwar/Rishikesh and then continues onwards, halting at different locations. The distance from Delhi to Kedarnath is around 450 kilometres and it will take approximately 11 hours to reach by road without any halt or can take breaks in between to reach. One can reach the city of Delhi by any means of transport whether by a flight, bus, car or train as the city is well-connected to all other major cities of the nation. It is easy to catch trains and flights to Delhi as they are scheduled at frequent intervals.

History of Shri Kedarnath Temple

Many tales and stories that are related to the Garhwal region, Lord Shiva and Panch Kedar add up to the history of Kedarnath Temple. The history of Kedarnath Temple dates back to the 8th century as it is believed that a great saint and philosopher Adi Shankaracharya made a whole record of this place. The great Guru is believed to have built this temple yet many renovations and constructions have been done later due to several natural disasters and calamities. When Adi Shankaracharya was travelling from Kerala to Kedarnath, he found many temples, pilgrimage points, and mathematical answers and popularised the Hindu religion by organising the Chota Char Dham Yatra in Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand. Also, according to Hindu mythology, it is thought that the Pandavas of the legendary story Mahabharata built it when they were travelling towards heaven to repent for their sins. Lord Shiva was not happy and refused to meet them, though the Pandavas followed him to the Himalayas where he took refuge in the form of a bull. This made the Pandavas build a temple at the site where they mediated and prayed for attaining their salvation.

Religious Significance of Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra

A huge religious significance is related to Kedarnath Dham Yatra as it is a major site for Hindu pilgrimage. According to stories and legends, the Panch Kedar temples were built by the Pandavas during their way to attain salvation and mediated day and night to please Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is one of the Panch Kedars. Kedarnath Mandir is located in the Garhwal Himalayas and because of its huge spiritual significance, it is visited by lakhs of devotees every year. Another legendary tale that is related to the temple is that Guru Adi Shankaracharya built this temple during the 8th century and spread the sense of Hinduism across the nation. Kedarnath Temple of Uttarakhand is also considered one of the famous 12 Jyotirlingas, as people believe that by visiting all the Shiva Temples spread throughout the country will help people wash away their sins, achieve positivity and will help them attain Moksha. The yatra of Kedarnath Dham is considered one of the most difficult journeys yet visited by lakhs of people every year, especially in the months from April to early November.

Kedarnath Temple Opening & Closing Dates 2024

The Kedarnath Temple opening and closing dates may vary depending upon the climatic conditions of the region. The region of Uttarakhand received huge snowfall and remains closed during the months of winter.

In general, Kedarnath opens in the month of April or May and closes in October every year. However, the best time to visit Kedarnath Dham is from April to June and September to October, except for the monsoon.

Kedarnath Darshan remains closed during winters, from November to March due to snowfall. If you have a plan for Kedarnath Chardham Yatra of Himalayas in September or October this year.

This year the Shri Kedarnath Dham opened on 10 May as decided by the Hindu calendar and the closing will be announced on the day of Bhai Dooj.

The closing and opening dates of the Kedarnath Temple for the year 2024 are as follows:

Architecture Design of Kedarnath Temple

The architectural design of Kedarnath Temple represents the North Indian style of architecture. The temple structure is made from grey stones and slabs which are connected to one another by iron clamps and mortar (mixture of lime and cement). The idol of Kedarnath is irregular in shape and is placed on a pedestal of 3.6 metres in height and circumference. One can see the mesmerising view of the Kedarnath Peak and other magnificent peaks behind the Kedarnath Dome. One of Kedarnath’s most notable features is the triangle stone lingam which looks like a finely carved head of a man. The most interesting part here is that the same head-like structure is found in a nearby temple where Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva got married.

Visitors can also observe a tiny pillared hall in front of the temple. The hall is covered with images of Pancha Pandavas and Goddess Parvati. As one enters the temple, the first is covered with statues of Lord Krishna, Nandi (bull vahana of Shiva), five Pandava princes and Virabhadra (Shiva’s loyal guards). As one keeps exploring the other sections of the temple and moving forward towards the main hall, they can get to see a beautiful collection of other statues, including Draupadi and several other deities. Lakhs of visitors visit this temple to take blessings. For both visitors and spiritual seekers, Kedarnath is an incredibly unique and breathtaking location because of the combination of these magnificent elements.

Kedarnath Yatra Package 2024 Booking with Bon Travel India

We, at Bon Travel India, offer the best deals on Kedarnath Yatra and Chardham Yatra 2024 Tour packages. Book a customised package today and get the best of Kedarnath Tour Package at best prices according to the requirements of the travellers.

Short Itinerary for Kedarnath Dham Yatra 2024

• Day 01: Haridwar – Guptkashi (205 kms / 7-8 hrs)
• Day 02: Guptkashi – Kedarnath
• Day 03: Kedarnath – Gaurikund – Rudraprayag (160 Kms / 06 Hrs)
• Day 04: Rudraprayag – Haridwar (165 Kms / 05 Hrs)

Check out “Tour Plan” Tab for detailed itinerary.

With our Kedarnath Yatra Packages 2024, you can also enjoy sightseeing at popular tourist places located near to the temple. We will ensure that your needs and requirements are taken care of, from accommodation to meals, ticket bookings and transport. We will also arrange ponies and palanquins from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath Dham and provide expert trekking guides to ensure that your entire focus is on the spiritual journey undertaken by you.

We can also customize Kedarnath Yatra travel plan from following cities as per our guest requirements with complete arrangement and the best travel deals.

• Kedarnath Yatra Package from Delhi
• Kedarnath Yatra Package from Dehradun
• Kedarnath Tour Package from Mumbai
• Kedarnath Yatra Tour Package from Hyderabad
• Kedarnath Yatra Tour Package from Pune
• Kedarnath Tour Package from Hyderabad
• Kedarnath Tour Package from Ahmedabad

Important Information to Know Before Going on a Kedarnath Chardham Yatra 2024

One of the major pilgrimage tours in the Himalayas is “Kedarnath Dham Yatra”.  This temple is placed at a high altitude and to reach this destination, one requires a significant amount of trekking and climbing. Travellers visiting Kedarnath Dham Mandir at higher altitudes need to take some major precautions against the harsh weather conditions and altitude sickness. Always stay prepared to face any kind of situation during the journey.

Weather in Kedarnath Dham Temple

The weather conditions at such high altitudes are very unpredictable. The cold and harsh climate of the Himalayas can change over time. It is very important to get oneself prepared before starting this difficult journey. The weather during the months of April to November is pleasant and visited by lakhs of people as the temperature stays around 17°C. Kedarnath Temple stays closed during the months of December to March as the region receives a severe amount of snowfall and remains extremely cold hence is avoided by trekkers and visitors. The routes get blocked due to these bad weather conditions. During this harsh climate, the idol of Kedarnath is shifted to Ukhimath, a place near Guptkashi. Later it is again placed in its original place during the peak season.

Registration for Kedarnath Yatra 2024

Registering for the Kedarnath Yatra can now be done through ways given as follows:

• Registration for Chardham Yatra can let you visit the Kedarnath Temple as it is included in the Chardham Yatra Registration Page. As per the 2024 updates, one has to register their names and required details online through the Dehradun Smart City Portal. One can also visit the website of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board which deals with pilgrimage tours in the state. The website link https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in/
• Offline registration is available at various registration centres in different locations throughout the route of Chardham. As per the 2024 updates, Sonprayag, Haridwar (Rahi Hotel) and some centres of Rishikesh (ISBT, RTO and Gurudwara).
• Travellers can also register through their mobile app ‘Tourist Care Uttarakhand’, available on both Android and iOS.
• Pilgrims can register through a WhatsApp facility by typing and sending “Yatra” to the mobile number +91 8394833833 for initiating the process. Verification can be done only by visiting the shrine and one must remember to download the ‘Yatra Registration Letter’ or by scanning the QR of the mobile. Carry ID cards for smooth processing.

Helicopter Booking for Kedarnath Yatra 2024

Tourists can choose to travel to Kedarnath by booking helicopters either from government Heli services or from private agencies at the destination of Kedarnath is located at a high point.

• Helicopter services are available between Kedarnath and Guptkashi, Phata and Sirsi for Kedarnath Yatra. People can book from the official website of Heli Services established under the government, https://heliyatra.irctc.co.in/. It is a joint collaboration between the Uttarakhand government and IRCTC.
• People can also contact private tour or travel agencies which are also authorized by the government and carry all licences. If there is a suspicion of bad weather, then the amount taken for booking tickets is usually refunded. Helicopter tickets charge at a rate of a minimum of INR 3000/4000 one way and INR 7000/8000 for a round trip.

Hotels Booking for Kedarnath Yatra 2024

Hotel Booking for stays during Kedarnath Yatra is quite essential as the region receives a huge number of devotees early. One should book accommodation prior so they can experience a comfortable stay. During peak season, bookings are high in number, so plan accordingly. Numerous hotels, ashrams and homestays have emerged to meet the demands of tourists which include luxury, deluxe and standard hotels. These accommodations are situated close to the temple and include basic amenities such as hot water, sanitised bathrooms and local delicacies.

The districts of Rudraprayag, Phata, and Guptkashi, all have abundant hotels that can be booked during the Kedarnath Yatra. Here are the names of some staying options in and around Kedarnath:

• Rumkh Kedar Resort
• Aditya Guest House & Restaurant
• Gujarat Bhawan
• Gayathri Bhawan
• Behl Ashram Hotel
• Gurudham Hotel
• Rajasthan Seva Sadan
• Himachal House

Health Precautions for Kedarnath Yatra

The Kedarnath Temple is based on a very high altitude of Garhwal Himalayas and while travelling at such a high altitude it is very important to follow some health precautions before beginning the yatra. Although the town of Uttarakhand is well-connected to major cities, but the last stretch is about 14 kilometres and takes a long trek to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund.

To ensure a safe and comfortable journey to Kedarnath Dham, some essential health tips that every pilgrim should keep in mind are as follows:

• Consult a doctor before travelling to a region of high altitude.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes during trekking and must carry extra clothes as the weather is very changeable.
• Travellers require proper acclimatisation to prevent altitude sickness.
• Avoid dehydration and exhaustion by carrying sufficient water and food supplies.
• Carry a first aid kit containing essentials such as prescribed medicines, band-aids, antiseptic, painkillers and other items.
• Carry a walking stick along the way as the routes are slippery and it helps in walking.

Special Note:

• Kindly do not compare mountain hotel services as in the plain areas.
• Rates will be valid for Indian National only.
• Helicopter tickets will be on additional supplement cost based on subject to availability.
• For Helicopter tickets need to take – Weight, age, name, Adhaar card.
• In case of child, it is required to carry Birth Certificate along with School ID card.
• Ac will be not used in hills.