Kedarnath Temple (Kedarnath Mandir) - 2026 Tour
Kedarnath is a holy temple of Lord Shiva. It is considered as one of the most important Shiva temples and it is situated i. the Himalaya mountains There are twelve Jyotirlingas and kedarnath is also one of them . kedarnath Temple is also part of “Chota Chardham Yatra”. The Mandakini river flows near Kedarnath Temple. Kedarnath Mandir is 3,580–3,583 m high in the snow. As we know Kedarnath temple is very Famous so lakhs of devotees comes here every year, for darshan and blessings. You can see Kedarnath temple by choosing our Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Package.
Kedarnath Temple — quick details (at a glance)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Deity | Lord Shiva (Jyotirlinga; part of Panch Kedar) |
| Height & setting | ~3,580–3,583 m above sea level; beside the Mandakini river |
| District & state | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand (India) |
| Last motor point | Gaurikund → then walk/pony/palki/helicopter to the temple |
| Trek distance | ~16 km from Gaurikund (many take 6–8 hours) |
| Yatra registration | Mandatory on Uttarakhand Tourism’s TouristCare/TSMS (free) |
| Temple management | BKTC — Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee |
| Special note | Temple survived 2013 floods; pathways and area were rebuilt |
Kedarnath opening & closing dates — 2026
Opening dates of 2026 will be Around 2 May to 10 May 2026 (final dates will be declared on Maha Shivratri after Panchang at Ukhimath).
Closing dates of 2026 (expected) of Kedarnath temple will be announced on Bhai Dooj, that is on 23 Oct 2025. The final closing day is always done by BKTC in October each year.
Why Bhai Dooj? Kedarnath mandir always closes for winter on Bhai Dooj (two days after Diwali) due to heavy snow and traditions. After this, the Utsav Doli will move to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for winter.
Kedarnath Season Snapshot (2025)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Temple | Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) |
| Opening | 2 May 2025, 7:00 AM |
| How fixed | Declared on Maha Shivratri after Panchang at Ukhimath |
| Closing (expected) | Bhai Dooj — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 (final notice near the date) |
How are the dates decided?
aFirst, priests study the Hindu Panchang. Then, on Maha Shivratri, the Kedarnath opening date is announced at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. Next, BKTC shares the exact opening time. Later, near Diwali, BKTC confirms the closing day (usually Bhai Dooj). Because the calendar is lunar, the English dates change every year. Therefore, always recheck close to your travel.
Short history & sacred stories (worth knowing)
- First, remember that Kedarnath temple is a Jyotirlinga. According to the Panch Kedar legend, Lord Shiva revealed himself here in a unique way, and hence Kedarnath is called the “hump” form.
- Next, think of the Pandavas. After the war, they climbed these high mountains to ask for forgiveness and blessings. Therefore, the place became a symbol of penance and peace.
- Later, Adi Shankaracharya ji brought all the devotees back to this sacred route. Even today his statue stands.
- Finally, when the 2013 floods hit the valley, the Kedarnath mandir remained standing. Afterwards, walkways and protective works were rebuilt, making the shrine safer.
- In short, these threads of history make Kedarnath feel pure, steady, and peaceful.
How to reach Kedarnath mandir
- First, Reach Haridwar/Rishikesh by train/road/flight or reach Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport.
- Then travel to Sonprayag → Gaurikund (this is the last motor point).
- From Gaurikund, the trek is ~16 km. You can:
o Walk (start early, go slow),
o Hire pony/palki/kandi from official counters, or
o Use helicopter shuttles (sectors like Phata/Sersi/Sonprayag, weather permitting).
Tip: May–June and Sept–Oct are usually the best time as this time has calm weather. In Monsoon (Jul–Aug) there is a lot of rain and chances of landslides. Therefore, check the weather before visiting.
Registration, permits & helicopter booking (official)
- Yatra registration: Do free, mandatory registration on the government TouristCare/TSMS system (keep your photo ID and phone handy).
- Helicopter tickets: Use the official portal for Kedarnath heli shuttles. Avoid agents. Names on tickets must match your ID.
(Keep screenshots or printouts ready. Also, carry your ID while traveling.)
What to expect on the last week (before closing)
Because many devotees want “last-week darshan,” the rush can be high. So:
- First, recheck the final closing notice from BKTC.
- Next, arrive 1–2 days early in the Kedarnath area (weather can change fast).
- Then, carry warm layers, rain jacket, good shoes, and personal medicines.
- Finally, keep buffer time for return from Sonprayag/Guptkashi as traffic can slow down near closing.
Kedarnath temple — important facts (easy list)
Kedarnath mandir comes in Jyotirlinga and it is also part of Panch Kedar.
- Height: Kedarnath temple is at a height of approx 3,580 to 3,583 m. Here, air is thin, so walk slowly and drink water.
- Trek: ~16 km from Gaurikund; pony/palki/kandi options help seniors and kids.
- Opening date is declared on Maha Shivratri; closing is usually on Bhai Dooj.
- Ukhimath is the winter seat; the Utsav Doli moves there after the temple closes.
- 2013 floods did not break the main temple; the valley has since been rebuilt and strengthened.
- Yatra registration is mandatory; keep ID with you.
- Weather changes fast; check the forecast before you start.
why this guide is trustworthy
- We focus only on clear, useful steps for Kedarnath temple travel.
- We follow the traditional date pattern (Maha Shivratri declaration; Bhai Dooj closure) and standard government processes (registration and heli rules).
- Authoritativeness: We use official committees and tourism rules as the base.
- Trust: We avoid confusing jargon; we mark expected vs final clearly, so you can plan safely.