We recently got on a journey that completely transformed us as individuals and made us realize the beauty of Hindu culture and tradition. This was our trip to Kedarnath, one of the four Dhams of the north.
To be honest, this was way different than our usual trips and an experience that will probably live with us for a lifetime.
So, this blog will basically be a practical guide to help you with your Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Here we will discuss everything you need to know about this heavenly abode of Lord Shiva that is purely filled with magic and spiritual bliss.
A Brief History of the Kedarnath Temple
The story of Kedarnath began with Pandavas. After the grotty war of Mahabharata, Pandavas along with Draupadi were looking for penance for killing their own kins. They were highly guilty of their sins and were asking for forgiveness from Lord Shiva who resided in the Himalayas.
However, Lord Shiva was not willing to forgive them. Hence, he disguised himself as a bull so that no one would recognize him.
But one day, Bhima (one of the five Pandavas) saw a bull grazing near the Guptakashi and immediately identified it to be Lord Shiva. He hurriedly ran to get a hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But to his disappointment, the bull soon disappeared in the ground and reappeared in five different forms with the hump appearing in Kedarnath, the arms in Tungnath, the face in Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach in Madhyamaheshwar and hair in Kalpeshwar.
Later upon, pleased by the reappearance of Lord Shiva, the Pandavas built temples in all the five places where the instances of Lord Shiva were found. These places together form the Panch Kedar.
Opening and Closing of Kedarnath Doors in 2024
This year, the doors of Kedarnath temple will open on 10th May 2024, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay tritya. This announcement was made earlier during the festival of Mahashivratri after the priests of Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar Temple decided on the dates.
The opening ceremony is no less than a celebration, something that every Hinduism believer should experience at least once in a lifetime. During this special pooja rituals are performed in honor of Baba Kedarnath and devotees from all around the world come to witness this moment.
After the doors to the shrine are opened, firstly the main Pujari Rawal of Kedarnath takes the blessings and the view of the Shiva lingam after which it is made accessible to the visitors.
During the day, the temple is open from 4 AM to 3 PM, after which it is closed for lunch. It reopens again at 5 PM till 9 PM. The morning aarti takes place between 4:00 AM to 7 AM and the evening aarti is between 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. So, be mindful of the timings if you want to join the aarti ceremony.
The doors of the Kedarnath shrine will be closed during Diwali, on the eve of Bhai Dooj which is on 20th November, 2024.
How Much Does a Trip to Kedarnath Cost?
Well, this highly varies depending on various factors like the month you choose to travel, mode of transportation, accommodation, food choices, and more. However, on average, a trip to Kedarnath may cost you around INR 10,000 – 15,000 per person.
Here’s a rough cost breakdown table for a trip to Kedarnath:
| Expense Category | Details | Average Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | Round Trip from Haridwar to Kedarnath | Rs. 6,000 – 7,000 (private taxi) Rs. 1,000 – Rs. 1,500 (shared taxi) |
| Accommodation | Hotel/Guesthouse | Starts from Rs. 500 – Rs. 5,000/night |
| Food | Meals | Starts from Rs. 100 – 500/meal |
| Trekking Gear | Renting trekking gear (if needed) | Starts from Rs. 150 – Rs. 500 for different gears |
| Miscellaneous | Entry fees, permits, souvenirs, etc. | Rs. 1500 – Rs. 3000 |
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How to Reach?
Guptakashi is the base point to reach Kedarnath. Hence, regardless of the place you are traveling from, you’ll first need to reach Guptakashi.
Reaching Guptakashi
The closest airport to Guptakashi is Jolly Grant Airport, which is in Dehradun while the closest railway station is Yog Nagri Station in Rishikesh. Hence, you can either take a flight to Dehradun or a train to Rishikesh. However, in case you are unable to find a direct train to Rishikesh, Haridwar also makes for a great alternative.
Hereupon, if you are traveling in a group, the best option is to hire a private taxi/car/tempo traveler (based on the number of members). You can easily find several tour operators offering transportation services on this route online. However, make sure to negotiate the prices including the driver’s fee, parking, and toll charges.
In another case, if you are traveling alone or want to use a public vehicle, you can take a bus from Rishikesh from the local bus stand. Or you can also make a prior booking via redbus.in or abhibus.com for added convenience.
Guptakashi to Kedarnath
Now once you have reached Guptakashi, there are mainly three ways to reach the Kedarnath temple:
Trekking through the trail: One of the most common and thrilling ways to travel to Kedarnath. Though trekking all the way up might leave you all tired and weary it is what gives you the true feel and essence of a pilgrimage at the end.
The trek starts at Gaurikund. You can take a shared jeep from Guptakashi or Sonapraya to reach Gaurikund which will nearly cost you around Rs. 30. Herein you will find a long man-maid trail that stretches till 18 km long route. The trail has quite changed a lot after the 2013 Kedarnath floods and is much safer and more convenient for travelers.
However, note that the trek is hard even for physically active people and it only gets tough as you reach higher. Many times rain also becomes a problem, halting all travel activities, especially during the monsoon season. Hence, make sure to take all the necessary precautions and avoid taking risks in unfavorable weather conditions. We’d best suggest you keep a day spare or two in case you need to rest or wait before you continue the trek further.
Via ponies or palkis: Ponies are just a convenient alternative to travel through the same trekking trail as mentioned above. If you feel you don’t have the physical capacity or time to complete the trek, you can book a pony for the complete hike to Kedarnath right at the booking counter in Gaurikund or can even find one at the camps located along the way up.
A one-way pony from Gaurikund / Sonaprayag would cost you anywhere around Rs. 2500. However, the cost may vary if you hire it for a shorter stretch. Although the standard prices are set by the government, expect to pay 2-5 times higher during the peak season
Besides this, if you are traveling with your elderly or children, you can also opt for palkies (rides carried by four men), or pitthu where the local men carry you on their back, in a large basket with seating. This may not sound like a favorable option, but it may be the only choice for you in some rare instances, hence make sure to tip these men well.
Via helicopter ride: Finally, if you are fully confident that trekking all the way up to Kedarnath is nearly impossible for you, then taking the helicopter is the best option. You can hire helicopter services mainly from Guptakashi, Phata, and Sersi which will cost you anywhere between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000 for a round trip.
Reaching the Top – Kedarnath Temple
Once you reach the Kedarnath top, you will find signs to reach the main shrine. First things first, be prepared to deal with heavy, unmanageable crowds and comparatively lower oxygen levels.
Herein, make sure to join the line to the temple as soon as possible as it can take you several hours to finally get the darshan. However, if you want to guarantee darshan, try to stay in the night there. Reason? The crowd starts to dissipate after 5 pm when the helicopter services stop for the day and most visitors head back to catch their ride.
And while you are here, take some time enjoying the blissful view and the solace this place offers you. You will also find a statue of Adi Shankaracharya – one of the most influential Hindu philosophers right behind the main shrine. This is the place where he attained Nirvana (samadhi) during the 8th century AD.
Herein, you will also find the marvelous Bheemshila, a huge rock that made its way to the Kedarnath temple during the floods of 2013. It is said that the rock miraculously got stuck right behind the temple, diverting the flow of the gushing waters and debris to the sides of the temple and hence saving it from irreparable damage. Well, this is just one story, you’d get to learn about more as you venture into this holy land.
Which is the Best Time to Visit Kedarnath?
As per our personal experience, the summer season (including months from April to June) is the best time to visit Kedarnath. Reason? The temperatures during these times range between 10-15 degrees Celsius which is quite bearable. Plus there are fewer chances of rainfall and thunderstorms hampering your journey to Kedarnath.
What to Pack for Kedarnath Dham Yatra?
Here’s a list of things you must carry on your trip to Kedarnath:
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- The climate in Kedarnath is pretty unpredictable. So the first thing to pack in your bags is thermal wear and woolens (gloves, caps, scarves, socks, etc.) And in case you are traveling during the monsoon season i.e., months from July to September, don’t forget to carry umbrellas and raincoats to protect yourself against rain.
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- Keep a first aid kit handy including painkillers, glucose tablets, bandaids, etc. for safety purposes.
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- Carry a comfortable pair of shoes with a sturdy sole.
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- Pack some light snacks and energy drinks to keep yourself energized throughout the journey.
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- Always carry cash with you as you may not always find good network connectivity for online payments.
Things to Consider Before Traveling to Kedarnath
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- Firstly, we would suggest you get a medical checkup done, especially if you’re someone dealing with respiratory or high BP issues. This will help you learn about your overall fitness and the areas you have to focus on before getting on your journey.
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- Start with a fitness regime to build your stamina especially if you are planning to trek up to the Kedarnath top. Get into physical exercises and practice yoga.
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- The number of pilgrims taking the Kedarnath Dham Yatra is HUGE! So be prepared to face heavy crowds. And because of this, there is also a surge in prices be it for accommodation, transportation, or any other basic facilities.
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- Only emergency and basic medical facilities are available on this route. So practice all the necessary precautions, especially with the elderly and children. In case of emergency situations, you might need to be transferred via helicopter services which will be completely funded by you.
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Takeaway
So this was all from our experience of Kedarnath Dham. if you have unfathomable faith in Lord Shiva and hold strong willpower, this journey will be no difficult for you. And the feeling you will have upon reaching the Kedarnath top and witnessing the holy shrine of Lord Shiva will leave you in tears and restore your faith in the wonders of the almighty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. In which month will Kedarnath open in 2024?
A. The Kedarnath temple will open on May 10, 2024.
Q. In which month Kedarnath is more crowded?
A. Kedarnath is most crowded during the months of May and June which marks as the peak season.
Q. Which month is snowfall in Kedarnath?
A. Kedarnath receives heavy snowfall between December and February with temperatures reaching the sub-zero levels.
Q. How many days are required for Kedarnath?
A. In total, you need 2 days + nights for Kedarnath. Here you’ll need 1 day for the trek + one extra day in case you’re not able to return the same day from the trek.
Q. Is Kedarnath Trek difficult?
A. The Kedarnath trek is moderately difficult. It’s an 18-kilometer-long trail that usually takes 6-8 hours to complete.
Q. What is the age limit for Kedarnath Yatra?
A. Although there is no as such age limit for the Kedarnath Yatra, women, infants, or pilgrims under 10 or over 65 years of age are suggested to avoid this journey
