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2nd May 2025
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Situated at an impressive height of 3,580 meters and surrounded by the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, the Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a key site in the Chota Char Dham Pilgrimage.
The Kedarnath Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is one of the 275 temples classified as Paadal Petra Sthalams, recognized as some of the most significant Shiva temples globally, and it holds a special place among the Panch Kedars.
The Kedarnath Temple is regarded as the sacred location where Lord Shiva forgave the Pandavas for their sins during the Mahabharata period. Its self-manifested lingam, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is thought to have formed naturally instead of being sculpted by human hands.
It is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises the Valley of Flowers National Park and the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Each year, thousands of pilgrims embark on the demanding yet spiritually fulfilling trek to Kedarnath, making it one of India's most esteemed pilgrimage sites.
The historical importance of Kedarnath Dham is centuries old. Great saints, scholars, and pilgrims from various cultures used to visit the divine kingdom of Lord Kedarnath in search of divine wisdom. Pandavas constructed Kedarnath Dham Temple where they undertook harsh penance to appease Lord Shiva to pardon them for the sin of killing their family members and relatives during the war of Mahabharata, as per Mahabharata. The temple was reactivated by the legendary saint Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. He understood the religious importance of the temple and the necessity of its revival. Therefore, he renovated the crumbling structure and founded the sacred Char Dham Yatra.
The nearest railway station to Kedarnath is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 216 kilometers before Kedarnath on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are easily available from Rishikesh to Gaurikund.
Jolly Grant is the nearest airport to Kedarnath situated at a distance of 238 kilometers. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport to Gaurikund.
Gaurikund is the point where the road to Kedarnath ends and an easy trek of 14km begins. Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand and northern states of India. Buses to Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate in Delhi. Buses and Taxis to Gaurikund are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Srinagar, Chamoli, etc. Gaurikund lies on National Highway 109 which connects Rudraprayag with Kedarnath.
The location of Kedarnath place is named after King Kedar, who reigned during the Satya Yug era of Hindu history. Although the place attracts both devotees and tourists due to its magnificent appearance, it is a holy location with most of the features having legendary significance.
Here is a list of the greatest sites in Places to visit in Kedaranth to help you plan your trip to the Dham of Kedarnath.