Kedarnath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in India, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in the Garhwal Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of around 3,583 metres (11,755 feet) near the source of the Mandakini River, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is also one of the most important temples of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuits. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, Kedarnath Temple is revered for its spiritual significance, ancient architecture, and challenging pilgrimage journey.
Kedarnath Temple has ancient origins and is traditionally believed to have been established by the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, who are said to have worshipped Lord Shiva at this location to seek forgiveness after the Kurukshetra war. According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya revived and organised the temple's spiritual importance in the 8th century CE. The present stone structure is believed to have been built more than a thousand years ago using massive stone slabs and traditional Himalayan architectural techniques. The temple has survived harsh weather conditions, including the devastating 2013 Kedarnath floods, which caused widespread destruction in the surrounding region but left the main temple structure largely intact. Over centuries, Kedarnath has remained an important centre of Shaivism and Himalayan pilgrimage. Today, it attracts thousands of devotees every year who undertake the challenging trek to seek blessings of Lord Shiva amidst the majestic Himalayan mountains.
May to June, and September to October — the temple is closed entirely during winter due to snow.
A roughly 16km trek from Gaurikund, which is about 5 hours by road from Rishikesh.
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