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About this guide
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga stands at about 3,583 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, beside the Mandakini river. It is the highest of the twelve Jyotirlingas, one of the Char Dham of Uttarakhand and the first of the Panch Kedar, and it can be reached only on foot, by pony or palki, or by helicopter.
This is YatriSutra's devotee guide to Kedarnath: the legend of the Pandavas, the history of the temple, how darshan works, the opening and closing season, the rituals and practical advice for this demanding yatra. It is written from the temple committee, government and scriptural sources listed at the end of the page.
The divine story of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
After the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought Shiva's forgiveness for killing their own kin. Shiva avoided them and hid in the Himalaya as a bull. When Bhima recognised him and tried to catch him, the bull sank into the earth, leaving only its hump above ground at Kedarnath.
Other parts of the bull appeared at four other places, which together with Kedarnath form the Panch Kedar: Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. The Jyotirlinga at Kedarnath is therefore a natural, triangular rock, worshipped as Shiva's hump.
Another tradition says the sages Nara and Narayana, forms of Vishnu, prayed here to Shiva, who agreed to stay as Kedarnath for the good of all.
YatriSutra devotee tip: pause at the Bhairavnath temple above Kedarnath. Bhairav is believed to guard the shrine through the winter when the temple is closed.
Why devotees visit Kedarnath
For many devotees, Kedarnath is the most moving of all the Jyotirlingas because of the effort it asks. The trek through the mountains, the cold and the thin air are seen as part of the offering, and reaching the temple beneath the snow peaks feels like a lifetime's prayer answered.
Kedarnath is also part of the Char Dham yatra of Uttarakhand with Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath, and many families plan it as a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
History and architecture of Kedarnath Temple
Tradition holds that the Pandavas first built a temple here and that Adi Shankaracharya revived it in the 8th century. His samadhi lies behind the temple and was rebuilt after the 2013 floods. During those floods, a large boulder, now worshipped as Bhim Shila, came to rest behind the temple and is believed to have shielded it from the water.
The temple is built of large, grey stone slabs on a high platform, designed to withstand snow and earthquakes. Its features include:
- A stone shikhara in the north Indian style, with a wooden roof cap.
- A Nandi facing the sanctum in front of the temple.
- A mandapa with images of the Pandavas, Krishna, Draupadi and Kunti.
Inside the temple
The sanctum holds the triangular rock worshipped as the Jyotirlinga. In the hall before it are images of the Pandavas and other deities. In the morning devotees may be allowed to touch the Jyotirlinga and offer ghee, while in the evening it is adorned for the shringar darshan.
Kedarnath darshan guide: season, timings and queues
Kedarnath is open only about six months a year. The doors usually open around Akshaya Tritiya (April or May) and close around Bhai Dooj (October or November). In winter the deity is taken to the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where worship continues.
- Registration: the Uttarakhand government requires registration for the Char Dham yatra. Register on the official portal before you travel.
- Darshan: from early morning to evening, with a break in the afternoon. Morning darshan allows closer worship; evening darshan shows the adorned deity.
- Special pujas: booked through the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.
Opening dates are announced each year on Mahashivratri, and weather can close the route at short notice, so check official updates before you go.
Your yatra, step by step
- Register for the yatra on the official Uttarakhand portal.
- Reach Gaurikund, the base of the trek, the day before.
- Walk the trek of about 16 km, or take a pony, palki or a helicopter booked only through the official channel.
- Join the queue at the temple and have darshan of the Jyotirlinga.
- Visit Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi and Bhairavnath before you descend.
Aarti, puja and rituals at Kedarnath
The day begins with the morning puja, and the evening aarti takes place after the shringar of the Jyotirlinga. Devotees book rudrabhishek, mahabhishek and other pujas through the temple committee. The doli (palanquin) procession at the opening and closing of the doors is one of the most moving events of the year.
Sacred calendar: opening, Shravan and closing
- Opening of the doors: around Akshaya Tritiya, after the doli arrives from Ukhimath.
- Shravan: the monsoon month of Shiva, with heavy rain and landslide risk on the route.
- Closing of the doors: around Bhai Dooj, when the deity returns to Ukhimath for winter.
- Winter worship: at the Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath.
Devotee etiquette
- Respect the mountains: carry your waste back down and avoid plastic.
- Follow the temple committee's rules on photography and queues.
- Book only through official channels for helicopters and pujas.
- Keep the queue moving so others can have darshan.
Darshan for elderly and differently-abled devotees
Kedarnath is the most physically demanding Jyotirlinga. The altitude can cause breathlessness, headaches and cold, so elderly devotees and those with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before the yatra. Pony, palki and helicopter services reduce the walk but not the altitude. Rest a day on the way, drink water and descend if you feel unwell.
Tips for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Temple
- Register early and carry your registration and ID.
- Book helicopters only on the official portal; many fake websites target pilgrims.
- Pack for cold and rain even in summer: warm layers, rain jacket and good shoes.
- Avoid the peak monsoon (July to August) when landslides are common.
YatriSutra devotee tip: start the trek early in the morning so you reach Kedarnath before the afternoon clouds and cold set in.
Connected sacred places
- Bhairavnath Temple, just above Kedarnath, the guardian of the shrine.
- Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi behind the temple.
- Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath: the winter seat of Kedarnath.
- Triyuginarayan, where tradition says Shiva and Parvati married.
- Panch Kedar: Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.
Devotee FAQs
When is Kedarnath temple open?
Kedarnath is usually open from around Akshaya Tritiya (April or May) to Bhai Dooj (October or November). Exact dates are announced each year, so check official updates.
Is registration required for Kedarnath?
Yes. The Uttarakhand government requires registration for the Char Dham yatra, including Kedarnath. Register on the official portal before you travel.
How long is the Kedarnath trek?
The trek from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is about 16 km one way. Ponies, palkis and helicopters are available, but helicopters must be booked only through the official channel.
Why is the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga triangular?
According to tradition, Shiva hid from the Pandavas as a bull and sank into the earth, leaving his hump at Kedarnath. The triangular rock is worshipped as that hump.
Where is Kedarnath worshipped in winter?
When the doors close, the deity is taken to the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where worship continues through the winter.
Is Kedarnath safe for elderly pilgrims?
The altitude and cold make it demanding. Elderly pilgrims should consult a doctor, use pony, palki or helicopter services, rest on the way and avoid the monsoon months.
Your yatra to Kedarnath
Kedarnath asks more of its pilgrims than any other Jyotirlinga, and gives back a darshan few ever forget. The climb, the cold and the first sight of the temple beneath the snow peaks are all part of the prayer.
This guide is YatriSutra's way of helping you understand the story, follow the rituals and prepare safely. Check the temple committee and Uttarakhand government updates for dates, registration and weather before you travel. Jai Baba Kedar!
Checked by YatriSutra
Last updated 1 October 2026. Temple timings and rules change, so please confirm them at the temple before you travel. For official notices, see the temple website.