Kedarnath Temple, nestled in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines and a vital stop in the Char Dham Yatra. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is visited by lakhs of devotees each year who come seeking divine blessings and spiritual peace.
Kedarnath Temple Opening & Closing Timings
The temple opens annually in April/May (Akshaya Tritiya) and closes in October/November (Kartik Purnima) due to extreme snowfall in winter. Daily darshan hours are 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The holy Kedarnath Aarti is performed twice a day – in the early morning at 4:00 AM and evening at 7:00 PM, when the entire valley resonates with chants and divine vibrations.
How to Reach Kedarnath from Rishikesh
By Bus/Taxi: Kedarnath is about 210 km from Rishikesh. The last motorable point is Gaurikund Bus Stop. From here, pilgrims trek 16 km to the temple. For convenience, ponies, palkis, and helicopter services are available.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station, well connected to major cities.
By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (238 km from Kedarnath). From the airport, buses and taxis are available to Rishikesh and further to Gaurikund.
Local Convenience for Nearby Travel
In and around Kedarnath, pilgrims can opt for shared jeeps, local taxis, ponies, palkis, and helicopter rides. Those wishing to explore nearby attractions such as Guptkashi, Triyuginarayan Temple, and Tungnath can easily hire cabs and local guides for comfortable travel.
Deity Worship Inside Kedarnath
The presiding deity of Kedarnath is Lord Shiva, worshipped here in the rare form of a triangular-shaped Shivling. It is believed that offering prayers here absolves sins and grants ultimate salvation (moksha).
A journey from Rishikesh to Kedarnath is not just travel – it’s a sacred path to devotion and spiritual awakening.