In Hinduism, it is believed that if someone completes the char Dham Yatra in his life, he will attain salvation. Hence this makes char Dham Yatra very popular among many Hindus.
Kedarnath Dham Yatra is very popular among tourists who visit the Badrinath temple, which is one of the Char dhams.
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Kedarnath History
Kedarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Lord Shiva, located in the Rudraprayag district of the Galvar region of Uttarakhand.
This shrine is very important amongst the char Dham of the Uttarakhand and is highly thronged by the devotees to pay the obeisance.
Kedarnath is 3,586 tons above sea level, located in the majestic peaks, near the top of the Mandakini River.
It is one of the twelve jyotirlingas having the abode in the mountains of Lord Shiva.
Kedar means powerful, another name for the protector and destroyer Shiva. The beautiful atmosphere around the temple looks like heavenly tranquillity, providing a beautiful place for meditation.
Shiva Temple is the main attraction here, which is a holy place and a pilgrimage destination for Hindus, attracting devotees from all over the world.
Factors such as natural beauty and religious enthusiasm strengthen the scope of travel and tourism here.
About the Kedarnath Temple and its Significance
The Temple of Kedarnath is the most respected holy place of the Hindu god Shiva.
It is known to be built by the Adiguru Shankaracharya somewhere near the 8th Century.
The interior walls of the auditorium are decorated with scenes of various gods and mythological figures.
Outside the gate of the temple, there is a huge Nandi bull statue as a guard. The Kedarnath Mandir is believed to be an example of beautiful architecture that is thousands of years old.
The Temple of Kedarnath is constructed of huge, heavy and evenly cut grey stone slabs, reminiscent of the earlier treatment of these heavier slabs.
Kedarnath Temple has a dedicated Garbha Grih that is the sanctum sanctorum and a Mandap for pilgrims and tourists to gather.
Lord Shiva is worshipped in a form of pyramidical rock shaped lingam here in the Kedarnath temple.
Temple Opening and Closing Times
The timing of Kedarnath Temple darshan is determined by the committee members and the priests of the temple
The shrine is closed between 3 pm to 5 pm, Hence one needs to be inside the temple premises before 3 pm.
Devotees can pour water and do Abhishek of the lingam before 3 Pm. After 5 pm, no one can offer sacred water on the lingam, neither is it allowed to touch the idol.
However, people can come to witness the aarti of Lord Shiva that is in the evening. Once the aarti is concluded then the temple closes for devotees.
Hence devotees should plan their Kedarnath Dham Yatra accordingly so that they don’t find any inconvenience.
When to go to Kedarnath Shrine for paying Obeisance?
For the devotee’s information, we are providing the best time to visit for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
It should be noted that the temple is closed for 6 months during wintertime, Hence the temple opens from April to November.
The exact dates can be confirmed from the official sources as the prabhandak committee of the temple decides dates for opening and closing date of temple.
For your convenience, we are providing this year i.e. 2020 temple opening date is on 29th April and it will close on 16th November.
How to Reach Kedarnath from different parts of the country?
In this guide, we have specified how one can reach Kedarnath from different parts like Haridwar, Delhi, etc.
Also, these details will prove very helpful once you have decided that you want to take the Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
1. Haridwar to Kedarnath
The distance from Haridwar to Kedarnath is about 242 km. Every day from Haridwar, buses are plying to Gaurikund.
One needs to book the bus from the GMOA office that is near the Haridwar railway station.
If there were no landslides, it would take almost a full day to reach Gaurikund.
The bus tour is very beautiful, as the entire route has a ghat section area and you feel mesmerized by the beauty of the Himalayas and the river Ganges that follow throughout the route.
If you choose to take your vehicle, please ensure that it has good ground clearance, because rocks are scattered throughout the route.
Car with a better engine is easier to maneuver on the hilly roads. Park your vehicle safely near the parking points and then get ready for a 13 km trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
2. Delhi to Kedarnath
The distance from Delhi to Kedarnath is about 460 km. Every day from Delhi, buses are plying to Haridwar in every half hour, which is the first stop.
If you plan to go by road it will take almost 8 hours. One can also board the train till Haridwar which takes 4-6 hours.
You can go directly to Kedarnath from Haridwar, in case you want to stay here for a night and to visit the beautiful Ganga aarti, one can stay and again resume the travel next morning from Haridwar.
If your group is more or traveling with family, rent a comfortable taxi from Delhi and reach directly to the Gaurikund.
Also, it is important to note that the road from Rishikesh to Gaurikund will be closed from 8 pm to 4 am.
Hence devotees should keep this in mind if they want to avoid any inconvenience for them and their families.
3. Dehradun to Kedarnath
The distance from Dehradun to Kedarnath is about 260 km. Every day from Dehradun, buses are plying to Rishikesh in every half hour.
If you plan to go by road it will take almost 7 hours. From Rishikesh, you can take either a cab or a bus to go to Joshimath and then from Joshimath reach Kedarnath.
One can take the helicopter service from the Dehradun and then reach the Kedarnath temple much early as compared to going by road or by taking the bus.
Distance Chart for Kedarnath
Here we are providing the distance chart to Kedarnath mandir from different places of the country
| Places | Distance |
| Badrinath to Kedarnath | 41 Km |
| Joshimath to Kedarnath | 51 Km |
| Rishikesh to Kedarnath | 190 Km |
| Haridwar to Kedarnath | 240 Km |
| Dehradun to Kedarnath | 260 Km |
| Chandigarh to Kedarnath | 387 Km |
| Delhi to Kedarnath | 460 Km |
All these distances will help you to have enough information about how to plan the Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
How is the weather at the Kedarnath Shrine?
Kedarnath is one of the most sacred destinations in the country. You may find very beautiful and suitable weather in the summers
It is the right time to spend a relaxing time and visit the Kedarnath Mandir. The weather in Kedarnath changes frequently throughout the season.
Hence we bring you all-weather details in this guide that will help you in planning your Kedarnath Dham Yatra properly.
For general information, we would like our readers to know that if they plan of doing a yatra, they can plan it during summer time as the weather is pleasant and also you can visit the shrine without any worries.
Summers
In summers, there is cool breeze flowing, Also this is a very nice time if you are planning a yatra to the Kedarnath.
This is the best time in case you want to visit the hill stations or visiting beautiful temples of the Uttarakhand.
Summer occurs here between May and June only, it has a pleasant climate with an average temperature of about 18 ° C.
This is by far the best time to visit the Kedarnath Mandir for making yatra.
Monsoons
In monsoons, landslides are very common, so tourists should avoid visiting the sacred Shrine during the monsoon season.
The monsoon months are from July end to September 1st week. The monsoon happens here in the form of the occasional rainfall, and the temperature drops to 11 °C.
Landslides are very common, so devotees should avoid planning the yatra for this season.
Winters
In the winter season, due to the heavy snowfall, the shrine of Kedarnath gets closed and there is no one staying in Kedarnath.
During the six months after the yatra ends, the Shiva idol is taken in a palki from the Kedarnath temple and it is transferred to Ukhimath near Guptakashi teerth.
And then before yatra again starts, the idol is brought back to Kedarnath temple. It is at this time that the door of the temples is opened for the devotees.
A large number of devotees come during the yatra period to do worship at the Kedarnath Mandir.
Helicopter Service in Kedarnath and its Booking
As it is difficult for many devotees to undertake such a long trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple and also traveling too much can also take a toll on the visitor’s health.
Hence the aviation ministry and the DGCA granted permission for operating helicopter services to Kedarnath.
There are a total of 7 firms that have got the license to operate a helicopter to Kedarnath shrine.
These firms are Aryan, Thumby Aviation, Pawan Hans, UTair, Arrow, Indocopters and Himalayan heli.
These helicopters can fly out from three helipads that are situated in Sirsi, Phata and Guptakashi.
For many old aged devotees, Kedarnath helicopter service has come as a boon as they need not take the tiring and long trek route.
Devotees can now enjoy the Kedarnath helicopter service and visit the Kedarnath temple to do worship and can also return the same day.
Pawan Hans Helicopter
Pawan Hans provides the helicopter service from Phata to the Kedarnath Shrine.
It takes about 10 minutes by air to reach the shrine. The Pawan Hans helicopter operates between Kedarnath and Phata helipad and vice-versa
The trip to Kedarnath mandir is part of a sacred journey by devotees who want to cover the Char Dham of Uttarakhand.
| Type of Service | Price |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Single | Rs 2360 |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Round | Rs 4720 |
It should be noted that the above prices are per person basis.
Terms and Conditions while booking with Pawan Hans
| From May, One can visit Kedarnath through regularly provided helicopter services from the helipad in Phata until the gate of the temple is closed near Diwali in November. The monsoon season usually does not operate flights. |
| For the same-day return, you will get 4 hours and 30 minutes at Shri Kedarnath temple, and devotees will have to purchase Priority Darshan notes that are returned on the same day. |
| The reporting time should not be confused with the boarding time, the boarding time should be at most 01 hours after the reporting time |
| We will try our best to accommodate our passengers, but this is not always possible, because we need to adjust the weight when preparing the passenger volume or accommodating priority seats. |
| Each person can only carry hand luggage up to 5 kg. |
| Babies will only be able to travel with adult travelers. Infants under 2 years old pay 10% of the adult fare; babies over 2 years old pay full fare. |
| Can be booked in advance by paying the full amount of the ticket |
| If the company does not lose its seat on char Dham Yatra travel, passengers will be charged an overweight fee for the weight over 85 Kg. Pawan Hans can decide on the discretions. |
| Devotees would be arranged helicopter trip for the next day, in case the helicopter doesn’t fly because of weather or technical faults in the helicopter |
| The operation must be approved by the Uttrakhand government |
Make sure that you are aware of the terms and conditions of the Pawan Hans Before you are booking from the Pawan Hans and availing the Kedarnath helicopter services.
Himalayan Heli Helicopter Service
This helicopter service plying between Sersi helipad and Kedarnath Mandir is the safest and comfortable service.
The flying distance of the helicopter to Kedarnath Temple from the Sersi helipad is about 21 km and it takes almost 20 mins to reach the Kedarnath Mandir.
The Himalayan Heli offers the Kedarnath helicopter services in both single and round trip journeys operating from the Sersi helipad.
Devotees can book them if they want to enjoy this Kedarnath helicopter service.
| Type of Service | Price |
| Sersi Helipad to Kedarnath – Single | Rs 2350 |
| Sersi Helipad to Kedarnath – Round | Rs 4700 |
All the above prices are all-inclusive prices for per person travel.
Terms and Conditions while booking with Himalayan Heli
| According to the rules, checking the weight of passengers is a safety requirement. It is important to make sure that unnecessary load and weight is not carried over in the helicopter. |
| Baggage is not allowed, passengers can bring an appropriate amount of warm clothing and Pooja materials. |
| The reporting time should not be confused with the boarding time. The boarding time should be at most 1 hour after the reporting time. |
| We will try our best to accommodate our passengers, but this is not always possible, because we need to adjust the weight when preparing the passenger volume or accommodating priority seats. |
Make sure that you are aware of the terms and conditions of the Himalayan Heli before you are booking from the Himalayan Heli and availing the services that are provided by the Himalayan Heli.
Indocopter’s Helicopter
Indocopter’s helicopter gives a very comforting journey from Phata Helipad to Kedarnath through there service.
The journey of cheap helicopters from Indocopters to Kedarnath will take pilgrims to the shrine of Kedarnath.
From the opening date of the Kedarnath Shrine to the closing of the shrine, you can use the charter service to Kedarnath provided by Indocopters.
There are also some rest days during the monsoon as it is not advised to operate helicopters during that time as it is not safe.
| Type of Service | Price |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Single | Rs 2375 |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Round | Rs 4750 |
These prices indicated above are to inform you that these are paid on per person basis.
Terms and Conditions while booking with Indocopters
| Kedarnathji’s helicopter service will begin at the Phata Helipad. |
| Devotees will receive 4 hours and 30 minutes on Shri Kedarnath mandir to pay the obeisance at the shrine and return. |
| Devotees will bore additional Rs 1100 for special passes for darshan and is refundable |
| The reporting time should not be confused with the boarding time, the boarding time should be at most 01 hours after the reporting time |
| We will try our best to accommodate our passengers, but this is not always possible, because we need to adjust the weight when preparing the passenger volume or accommodating priority seats. |
| Each person can only carry hand luggage up to 5 kg. |
| Babies can only travel if accompanied by their legal guardians |
Bajaj aviation helicopter
The company provides charter helicopter services from the helipad to Kedarnath.
Bajaj Aviation’s Kedarnath cheap helicopter flight is smooth and economical for pilgrims heading to Kedarnath mandir.
The Bajaj Aviation helicopter service will be closed for a few days during the monsoon from the opening date of Kedarnath Dham to Bhai Dooj.
| Type of Service | Price |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Single | Rs 2345 |
| Phata Helipad to Kedarnath – Round | Rs 4685 |
These above-indicated prices are for per person travel basis.
Terms and Conditions while booking with Bajaj Aviation
| Kedarnath helicopter service will resume its services from the Phata Helipad in May |
| Each devotee gets a 4 hr. 30 min pass to do darshan at the Kedarnath temple and return back |
| Devotees will have to purchase Priority Darshan passes that are returned the same day, These costs 1000 /-(extra) per person. |
| The reporting time should not be mixed up with the boarding time, the boarding time should be at most 01 hours after the reporting time |
| Bajaj Aviation will try its best to accommodate their passengers, but this is not always possible, because it’s important to adjust the weight while preparing the passenger volume or accommodating priority seats. |
| Each person can only carry hand luggage up to 6 kg. |
| Infants will only be able to travel with adult travelers. |
General rules and the cancellation policies for Kedarnath helicopter services
| The ticket booth is only confirmed after full payment and name list including the age and weight of all passengers are achieved. |
| Reservations and tickets are not transferable and the name cannot be changed. |
| All passengers must carry and present any government ID on the apron. |
| The ticket price is approved by the Uttrakhand government, and if there is any change in the price or contract, the refund / excess fee will be properly resolved by the company or the passenger. |
| For passengers who are overweight (over 85 kg), an additional fee of Rs 150 / kg will be charged. |
| For passengers returning on the same day, Darshan at the mandir will be only 2 hours |
| For the same-day round trip, passengers must purchase a Darshan priority ticket of Rs 2,500 issued by Shri Kedarnath Mandir Samiti on the helipad. |
| Children above 2 years old need to pay the full amount. Infants under 2 years old do not occupy a seat and will be charged 10%. |
| Compared with one-way passengers, children, seniors, ladies, and two-way passengers will have higher priority. |
| Each passenger should report at the given reporting time. |
| Passengers can carry up to 3 kg of single luggage |
| If in any case the flight is canceled on the same day, the passengers on the next day will have priority over the passengers on the previous day. |
Cancellation terms and Conditions
| Timeline | Refund |
| 1 day before the travel date | No refund is provided |
| 2-9 days before the travel date | 70% of refund is provided |
| 10 days or more before the travel date | 80% of the refund is provided |
| Cancellation due to weather or any technical reasons | Full 100% Refund is provided |
| The passenger did not show up | No Refund is provided |
It is important to note that the personal details like name, age, mobile number, address and ID proof is very important if you want to avail the Kedarnath helicopter.
Without valid details, your booking will not be done and no amount would be refunded back in that case as well.
Booking Accommodation in Kedarnath hotels
Kedarnath is one of the most ancient temples of Lord Shiva and is a very sacred place that comes under the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
There are many accommodation places that the devotees can take for staying in case they want to rest and then resume their yatra again.
During the devastating floods that occurred in 2013 in Uttrakhand made a lot of havoc and also many hotels and accommodations washed away.
The route to Kedarnath mandir is not a relaxed one, it is very tiring. To reach the temple devotees, need to must depart from Gaurikund and make an 18-kilometer trek.
The elderly devotees can’t make such an extensive and tiresome trek.
For the convenience of the devotees, the Kedarnath helicopter service was started.
Currently, the helicopter service for Kedarnath is mainly started at three routes i.e. Sersi Helipad, Guptkashi Helipad, and Phata Helipad.
If you travel by helicopter to Kedarnath Mandir, for your convenience, we have listed the best Guptkashi hotels, Sersi hotels and Phata hotels that can be booked.
| Name of Hotels Under Rs 1000 |
| Gauri Hotel and Restaurant |
| Madumaheshwar Homestay |
| Vishnu Palace Hotel |
| Mritunjya Place Hotel |
| Dev Darshan Hotel and Restaurant |
| The Tulsi Hotel |
| Name of Hotels between Rs 1000 and Rs 2500 |
| Shri Hari Hotel and Restaurant |
| Hill Yatri Hotel |
| New Shivlok hotel |
| Himalayan Comforts Hotel |
| Kedar valley hotels and resorts |
| Kedar Camps |
| The Alpine Camps |
| Kashi Kedar Hotels and Cottages |
| Name of Hotels between Rs 2500 and Rs 3500 |
| Shivalik Hotel and Resorts |
| Ghuguti Resorts |
| Ojaswi Himalayan Resorts |
| Name of Hotels above Rs 3500 |
| The Adhvanta Resort |
| Behl Ashram Resorts |
| The Ajay Hotel |
| Himalayan Home Stay |
| The Kailash Residency |
| Kedar River Retreat Resorts |
| Himalayan View Retreat by Leisure Hotels |
| The Fern Hill Side Resorts. |
The table above lists all the relevant information that you might need to book some of the best hotels, resorts, camps, and homestays while you are booking the Kedarnath Dham Yatra arrangements.
Check out these options while you make your stay arrangements, we wish that the above information might come handy to you as other things are to be taken care in the Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra
How is the Mobile Internet Connectivity in Kedarnath Dham?
There are only two reliable mobile internet connectivity in the Kedarnath shrine, these are offered by the BSNL and the Airtel.
How many days are needed to visit the Kedarnath mandir?
It depends on which part of the country you are traveling from, However, if you are visiting from Delhi, take a minimum of 5 days.
How to book accommodation for Kedarnath Shrine?
There are numerous tour packages available online or you can take the advice of a reliable tour expert that will help you to plan your trip to Kedarnath accordingly.
Is the medical certificate necessary for resuming the Yatra?
Yes, it is important to get a medical certificate from the medical practitioner before you resume the yatra.
How is the road connectivity from Haridwar to Kedarnath mandir?
The condition of the roads is very good from Haridwar to Kedarnath, you don’t need to worry as you can reach without any worries.
Does it snow in Kedarnath and its surrounding areas?
One can expect snowfall in the Kedarnath shrine from the first week of October.
Hotselling Packages for Kedarnath Dham Yatra
| Name of package | Price |
| Do Dham Kedarnath-Badrinath Yatra Package From Delhi By Innova | Rs 25000 inclusive of stay and food |
| 4 Nights 5 Days Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Package from Haridwar | Rs 10600 onwards |
| 6 Nights Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Package with Tungnath & Deoriatal from Haridwar | Rs 16000 onwards |
| 6 Nights 7 Days Kedarnath Badrinath Do Dham Package from Delhi | Rs 14500 onwards |
| 5 Nights Kedarnath Badrinath Package from Haridwar | Rs 13000 onwards |
| Do Dham Kedarnath Badrinath Helicopter Package via Dehradun | Rs 99000 with VIP darshan, stay, food and luxury services |
Places you must see when in Kedarnath
| Places | Description |
| Gandhi Sarovar | A small lake from which it is said that Yudhishthir, the oldest of Pandavas, left heaven |
| Shankaracharya Samadhi | Shankaracharya Samadhi is an idyllic and peaceful location for devotees. The magnificent temple adds tranquillity to the background. It is believed that he laid himself to rest here. |
| Bhairav Temple | Bhairon Mandir is 1 km from Kedarnath Temple. From here you can see the entire place and mandir. It is believed here that Bairav protects the mandir complex of Kedarnath and the entire Kedarnath. |
| Ratus Kund | It is a small reservoir of about 200 mts from Kedarnath Temple. Due to the sand in this small tank, Ratus kund is also called ret kund. |
| Gaurikund | Walk to the base of Kedarnas and serve as a signpost. There are numerous warm springs here and a mandir dedicated to Gauri. |
| Vasuki Tal | This lake rises above sea level and is surrounded by mountains, which can admire the beautiful scenery of Chaukhamba Peak. |
| Sonaprayaga | This place is famous as here two rivers Ganga and Mandakini meet, Also a certain river diverges from its path at this place. It is a very beautiful place and shouldn’t be missed |
Final Word
The above details are going to help all those devotees who are planning there Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
The details were given are to make sure that we give all those necessary details to all devotees as they plan their travel.
Check on the latest details and make sure you get a medical certificate for yourself and for all those who want to undertake the yatra.
You should be completely fit before you take the yatra, however with the helicopter services started by the Uttrakhand government has reduced hassles to a larger extent. One is always blessed if he gets the blessing of Lord Shiva. We wish and hope that from this guide all relevant information provided can make your yatra successful.