You cannot miss out on this place while talking about pilgrimage, mountains, snow, and, of course, trekking. Situated in the northern state of <a href="https://universaladventures.in/state/Uttarakhand" target="_blank">Uttarakhand</a>, <a href="https://www.universaladventures.in/city/Kedarnath" target="_blank">Kedarnath</a> is a small town perched at a height of 3553 meters, surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan range. Often referred to as a trekker's paradise, this place must be on your bucket list if you are an adventure lover. However, the most famous attraction of this town is the Kedarnath Temple, which is situated near the Chorabari glacier. It is devoted to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva and its unique architecture with huge, evenly shaped grey slabs lure tourists and devotees from across the country. From jaw-dropping views to satisfying your trekking spirit and soothing your soul with divine vibes - Kedarnath has it all!

Enshrined by the Hindu God - Lord Bhairav (a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva), the Bhairav Temple is located towards the Southern part of the Kedarnath Temple. The view from this temple is absolutely magnificent, with the majestic Himalayas and the entire Kedarnath Valley. It remains closed during the winter season. The legends hold that Lord Bhairava is the protector of the Kedarnath Temple and the entire valley when it is closed. People visiting the Kedarnath Temple and the devotees make sure to pay a visit to Bhairavnath Temple which is just about 800 meters up trek from Kedarnath Temple.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: May, June, Sep-Nov&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1-2 hours</li>
</ul>

Situated in the Rudraprayag district, this is a small town by the banks of the Mandakini river. This place received its name from Saint Agastya and is famous for a temple dedicated to him. This temple is one of the ancient temples setting an example of elevated architecture. The walls of the temple have figures of gods and goddesses carved out on the walls and on stones. Also, every year on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Baisakhi a huge fair is organized which is attended by devotees across the country.
 
Traveler’s Information:
<ul>
 <li>Best time to visit: October - May</li>
 <li>Duration: 1 - 2 hours</li>
</ul>

Perched at an elevation of about 3680 meters from sea level, the Tungnath Temple is believed to be over thousands of years old. This temple is the highest Panch Kedar temple of the state as well as the highest Lord Shiva Temple in the world. This trek, however, is quite easy with 3.5kms away from Chopta. But during winters this region receives a heavy amount of snowfall making this trek somewhat difficult. The trail of this trek covers a vast area from the holy city of Haridwar, giving stunning views of Chaukhamba peaks and ending at Chandrashila. The top of this makes it worth all the climb with mesmerizing views of Panchachuli Peaks, Nanda Devi, and Nilkanth Peaks.
 
Traveler’s Information:
<ul>
 <li>Best time to visit: April - August</li>
 <li>Duration: 3-5 days approximately&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Situated at a height of 820 meters, Syalsaur is a beautiful hill station/ village in the Rudraprayag district. It is located by the banks of the Mandakini River. The place lures tourists for its rarest species of birds and the quaint atmosphere. The liveliness of this place is sure to make you fall in love with it and spend at least a night or two on your way to Kedarnath. This quiet, undiscovered place is a great destination during the chilly weather from October to April when nature is at its best. The best possible way to reach here is by road from the town of <a href="https://www.universaladventures.in/city/Haridwar" target="_blank">Haridwar</a> or <a href="https://www.universaladventures.in/city/Dehradun" target="_blank">Dehradun</a>.&nbsp;
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: October - April&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1-2 days</li>
</ul>

Located at a distance of about 1 km from Kedarnath Temple, the Rudra Meditation Cave is an underground stone cave. Maintained by Garhwal Mandal Vikas, this cave has the capacity of accommodating only a single person at a time. This cave received a lot of popularity in recent years after the Indian Prime Minister visited there in 2019. The cave has to offer ample facilities from a bed with bedding, a washroom with running water supply, a geyser, a heater, and phone connectivity. The cave is close to the temples of Kedarnath and Bhairavnath as both of these are clearly visible from this temple.&nbsp;
 
Traveler’s Information:
<ul>
 <li>Best time to visit: May, June, Sept-Nov</li>
 <li>Duration: 1-3 days</li>
</ul>

A village in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Phata is about 32 kms from Kedarnath. It is at the Gopeshwar - Gaurikund Road and a famous stopover on the Kedarnath Yatra. The most attractive thing about this place is the Helipad which is usually used by the pilgrims on Kedarnath Yatra who find it difficult to trek. From this helipad, it takes about 8 minutes to Kedarnath Dham in a chopper. One can reach this place from Rudraprayag which is about 18kms on a taxi.
 
Traveler’s Information:
<ul>
 <li>Best times to visit: May, June, September-November</li>
 <li>Duration: depends on the purpose.</li>
</ul>

Perched at an elevated height of about 5300 meters from sea level, the Mayali Pass is at a distance of 15 kms from Kedarnath. The pass is surrounded by the Bhilangana Valley. One of the most loved places to trek by trekkers, this trail has to offer stunning views of the Vasuki Tal and Masar Tal. If you love adventure, you cannot miss out on this trek. This route has been in use since ancient times while visiting Kedarnath and Gangotri. The trail of this trek stretches from the Gangi Village, Thalay Sagar peak, and Khatling glacier.
 
Traveler’s Information:
<ul>
 <li>Best times to visit: June, July, September</li>
 <li>Duration: 7 days</li>
</ul>

From treks to temples, this place is sure to give up a wholesome experience. The pleasant weather conditions from the month of May to October makes it worth a visit to enjoy spectacular views. One could book a hotel in the town of Kedarnath or also opt for Dharamshala which is available. The next time you feel the mountains are calling - just set on the Kedarnath yatra and experience it all.&nbsp;

One of the most obvious places to visit on your trip to Kedarnath is the Kedarnath Temple. It is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimages in the country because it is a part of the Char Dham Yatra. This temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range and near the Mandakini River. The extremely cold climate does not allow visitors except in the months of April to June. Situated at a height of about 3580 meters, this temple is devoted to the Hindu god, Lord Shiva, and it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The trek leading to the temple could be a difficult and tiring one with steep slopes and extreme heights.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best Time to Visit: April to June&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 6 to 7 hours&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Also known as Gandhi Tal or Gandhi Sarovar, the Chorabari Lake is situated at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the town of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. The crystal clear water of the lake reflecting clear blue skies could be a treat to the eyes, which is why this is one of the major tourist attractions of the state. Perched at the height of 3900 meters above sea level, this lake is surrounded by the breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped Himalayan ranges. A short and easy trek from the Kedarnath Temple could take you to this mesmerizing lake.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: All around the year.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1 - 2 hours</li>
</ul>

If you are set on the Kedarnath Yatra, you must cross Gaurikund, for it is the base point of the yatra. Situated at a height of 2000 meters above sea level, it is the gateway to your holy visit to Kedarnath Temple. This place is well known for its peaceful and spiritual vibes as it is beside the Mandakini River. It has a couple of attractions, such as the Gaurikund Temple and the Gauri Lake. However, after the heartbreaking incident of the 2013 flood, the route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath was completely washed away, but now, with the efforts of the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, the route has been improved for complete safety.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: September to November and March to June&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1 - 2 hours</li>
</ul>

The holy town of Guptkashi is situated at a height of 1319 meters above sea level. It is about 47 km from the holy city of Kedarnath and is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountain peaks of Mt. Chaukhamba. This place is well known for two age-old temples: the Vishwanath Temple and the Ardhanareshwar Temple. For people <a href="https://universaladventures.in/adventure/Trekkings?location=L3-24" target="_blank">trekking</a> up to the Kedarnath Temple, this place is a perfect spot to halt and enjoy the stunning views around. This town has another popular destination named the Manikarnika Kund. Guptkashi is quite a big town, and there is well-established connectivity here. One could easily take a car or cab from Rishikesh.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: September-November and March-June&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1 day</li>
</ul>

Another place of religious significance on your way to the Kedarnath Temple is Sonprayag. Situated at a height of 1829 meters above sea level, this place is believed to have witnessed the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The term "Prayag" means "convergence," and this place lies at the convergence of two holy rivers, namely, the Basuki and Mandakini rivers. This place is located between Rudraprayag and Gaurikund, on the way to Kedarnath Temple. One could reach here by taking a cab/taxi from Rudraprayag.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: September - November&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 30 - 45 minutes to explore the area</li>
</ul>

Situated at an elevated height of about 4135 meters above sea level, Vasuki Tal is filled with water from snow-clad mountains and glaciers such as the Vasuki Glacier and the Chor Bamak Glacier. The crystal clear water of the lake reflects the Kedarnath peaks. Its beauty is doubled by the surrounding Chaukhamba peaks. The aura of this lake is blessed with flowers like Brahma Kamal and other Himalayan flowers. The name of this tal is derived from a popular belief that Lord Vishnu bathed in this lake on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan. This place is about 24 km away from Gaurikund, from where one could do an easy trek to Vasuki Tal.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best times to visit: May, June, September - November&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1-2 hours</li>
</ul>

A holy shrine established by one of the ambiguous, Adi Shankaracharya, this place is believed to be where he attained moksha at the age of 32 and merged with the land itself. It is slightly behind the Kedarnath Temple. He is considered to be one of the saints who established the four sacred Dhams (Char Dham) of the Hindu pilgrimage. This place is one of the major tourist attractions of the place, luring people from different parts of the country. There is also a hot spring believed to be created by this Saint which is visited by his disciples to find relief from extreme climatic conditions.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: May, June, Sep-Nov&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1 - 2 hours</li>
</ul>

Situated at a height of about 1980 meters above sea level, this temple is in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The rich heritage of this place is a major attraction for devotees from across the country. A temple devoted to Lord Vishnu, its name holds a very significant meaning - Tri meaning ‘three’, Yugi meaning ‘Yuga’, and Narayan meaning Lord Vishnu. People offer wood to the holy fireplace of this place since the three yugas. The holy fire of this place is believed to have been burning since the divinely marital ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The religious richness of this place and the spectacular views around it make it a must-visit in Kedarnath.
 
Traveler’s Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Best time to visit: May, June, Sep-Nov&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1-2 hours</li>
</ul>

Top 15 Things to do at Kedarnath

India > Uttarakhand > Kedarnath

Explore in Kedarnath

Table of Content