Kedarnath, the Land of the Gods, is a place where one can encounter the mesmerizing Himalayan mountains blanketed in snow, a 1000-year-old temple that evokes profound feelings, and an all-encompassing spiritual aura. Sitting peacefully near the Mandakini river's source, Kedarnath is a towering 3584 meters above sea level. One of the four Chota char Dhams, together with Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, Kedarnath is named after the Satya Yuga monarch Kedar. One of the holiest sites on earth has to be seen by everyone at least once in their lifetime. Don't forget to check out these finest 18 locations to visit in Kedarnath before you leave for home.
Are you excited to visit this special place? Getting to and exploring these spots in Kedarnath can be quite an adventure. Plan your Kedarnath tour packages to enjoy the amazing views and nature of the area for a memorable experience.
Top 18 Best Places to visit in Kedarnath
On your next trip to Uttarakhand, make sure to see the top 18 locations to visit in Kedarnath to enjoy a wonderful time away from the rush. These locations allow devotees to engage in religious activities alongside offering the most outstanding views. Let's dive right into the spiritual places!
- Kedarnath Temple
- Bhairavnath Temple
- Vasuki Tal
- Sonprayag
- Shankaracharya Samadhi
- Chandrashila
- Madhyamaheshwar Temple
- Kalpeshwar Temple
- Mayali Pass Trek
- Ukhimath
- Agastmuni
- Deoria Taal
- Gaurikund
- Triyuginarayan Temple
- Guptakashi
- Chorabari Tal
- Tungnath Temple
- Rudranath Temple
Kedarnath Temple -
The Kedarnath Temple should be your first stop when visiting Kedarnath. A little over a millennium old, this temple has stood here since the period of Mahabharat. Panch Kedar and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas are housed in this temple. At 3,584 meters above sea level, in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, it pays tribute to Lord Shiva.
The greatest scholar and spiritual guide, Adi Shankaracharya, is acknowledged for building the present temple next to the ancient one, whereas the Pandavas are thought to have constructed the first. Another fascinating mythology connected to this temple is that of Lord Shiva becoming a bull and being pursued by the Pandavas. Darshan is available at the temple from the end of April to the beginning of November. Because of the region's unpredictable winters, it is closed for the final six months of the year.
Bhairavnath Temple -
This incredible temple dedicated to God Bhairav, the principal Gana of Lord Shiva, stands not far from the Kedarnath Temple. Nestled on a hill, this temple is among the top attractions in Kedarnath. It is stated that the guardian of the Kedarnath temple is the god of this temple.
It is thought that Lord Bhairav, also known as Kshetrapal, keeps watch over the temple and the entire Kedarnath area while it is closed during the severe winters. Visit this temple not just for the darshan; the breathtaking vistas of the valley are going to WOW you.
Vasuki Tal -
One of Kedarnath's top tourist destinations is Vasuki Tal. Built at an elevation of 4135 meters above the Kedarnath hills, this stunning lake is located. Many peaks are magnificently visible from this vantage point, which is close to the ground. The lake's water is so clean that you can see the rocks underneath it with ease.
Around the lake are also growing mysterious flowers, one of which is the well-known Brahma Kamal. The route from Kedarnath to the lake is dangerous since it requires climbing a long, narrow pathway and passing glaciers that are surrounded by caves.
Sonprayag -
Sonprayag is the place where the sacred rivers Mandakini and Basuki unite. Do take a bath in them as the merging rivers are thought to grant purity. Sonprayag is located at an elevation of 1829 meters and is part of the Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. The serenely running rivers and snow-capped mountains create a stupendous draw.
Shankaracharya Samadhi -
Towards the end of his worldwide journey, legendary philosopher and saint Adi Shankarcharya of the eighth century paid a visit to Kedarnath. He had been to many different countries to propagate the Advaita school of thought. His final destination before departing from his earthly body was Kedarnath. The Shankaracharya Samadhi was constructed in the same location where he obtained spiritual awakening.
Anyone who visits the shrine is said to be able to heal from major problems and negative energies by touching the spatika lingam inside. Adi Shankaracharya himself developed the hot spring located here as well. It was done with the intention of relieving the pilgrims' pain. And it should be on your Kedarnath trip itinerary.
Chandrashila -
You know it's one of the places that needs to be visited with your family, not just to seek blessings but also to take-in the beauty surrounded by this place. Set 4000 meters above sea level, Chandrashila Peak is one of Kedarnath's most visited locations. It is thought that after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva here. Ram seeks forgiveness for his misdeeds by meditating in this sacred land after he killed Ravana, ending the Rakshasa clan. Chandradev, also known as the Moon God, is said to have spent years paying for his misdeeds here.
Trekkers must travel 4.5 m from Chopta, the mountain with the highest Shiva temple, to reach Chandrashila, which is a hard journey. A magnificent 360-degree panorama of the Himalayan range and well-known peaks in the area, including Nanda Devi, is provided by Chandrashila.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple -
Located in the Garhwal region at the foot of Chaukhamba peak, the Madhyamaheshwar temple is thought of as one of the oldest Hindu temples. The temple stands at 3,497 meters above sea level, it is among Kedarnath's most picturesque tourist destinations. This temple, one of the Panch Kedar, is constructed in the Nagara style, which looks captivating against the stunning mountain backdrop. The bull's naval section is honored and regarded as the most sacred inside the temple. In addition, Parvati and Ardhanarishwara, two minor shrines, are located nearby which you can visit altogether, hassle-free.
Kalpeshwar Temple -
You can find Kalpeshwar temple located in the Chamoli district's Urgam valley and which is approximately 2200 meters above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas. This temple, which is a part of the prestigious Panch Kedars, is surrounded by lush vegetation and deep forests. It is well-known for being the hiking route that leads to Joshimath. Lord Shiva is shown as a stone idol inside the shrine. In addition, there is a naturally occurring cave near Kalpeshwar where the picture of hair locks can be seen carved naturally. This image is thought to have appeared there. Within the temple stands a Kalpavriskha tree, which is said to grant one's wishes.
Mayali Pass Trek -
The Mayali Pass, which is in the Bhilangana Valley at the height of 5300 meters, is 15 kilometers away from Kedarnath. Among the top sites to see in Kedarnath is this pass, which offers stunning views of the Masar Tal and the Vasuki Tal. Quite a well-known location for hikers, this path was once taken by pilgrims traveling to Kedarnath and Gangotri. Through the Gangi village, Thalay Sagar peak, Bhilangana river catchment, and Khatling glacier, one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayan ranges.
Ukhimath -
The Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is home to the lovely hill town of Ukhimath. Standing at a height of 1317 meters, this location is also called Ushamat, a name derived from Usha, the daughter of Banasur. The Omkareshwar temple, which is regarded as one of the oldest in the entire region, is the main attraction of this location. In the winter, this location is often referred to as the residence of Madhyamaheshwar and Lord Kedarnath. This location is 59 kilometers away from Kedarnath.
Agastmuni -
Agastmuni is a holy town in Rudraprayag that is 1000 meters above sea level by the banks of the Mandakini River. This location is well-known for the Agastyamuni temple, which bears the name of the renowned sage who spent a year in meditation there. Some of the most highly detailed sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses can be found at the temple. There is also a Shiva temple nearby called the Agasthaswar Mahadev temple.
Deoria Taal -
This stunning lake is bordered by towering, lush-green mountains and is situated close to the Uttarakhand town of Saari. At 2438 meters above sea level, this lake can be reached by traveling 3 kilometers upwards from Saari to the Ukhimath-Chopta route. One of the well-known tourist destinations in Kedarnath and Badrinath is this. From here, one may take in the beautiful architecture of Chandrashila, Tungnath, and Chopta. The mountains Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, and Bandarpunch round the lake.
Gaurikund -
Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wed Lord Shiva after years of hard Tapa, or meditation. And she did the tapa in Gaurikund, which is tucked away in the Garhwal Himalayas. Here, another incident also occurred.
The story of how Lord Shiva severed Ganesha's human head and put an elephant's in its place. Experience the might of the gods as you visit this sacred location. A place to feel grateful and pure after taking a bath in the local hot spring.
Triyuginarayan Temple -
What took place when the Goddess Parvati finished her tapa? They tied the knot when Lord Shiva confessed his love for her. Kedarnath is also the location of their wedding. The Triyuginarayan Temple, where the God and Goddess exchanged marital vows, is located 13 meters from Gaurikund. The location of the heavenly marriage is marked with a precise location. At the front of the temple is a structure known as Brahma Shila. You will encounter a fire at the entrance of the temple.
It is thought that since the marriage, this fire has been blazing! Akhand Dhuni temple is the new name given to the temple due to this fire. The Saraswati kund, another feature of the temple, is said to have received its water from Lord Vishnu's navel. Sonprayag is the closest place from which to reach Triyuginarayan Temple—just 10 kilometers away. The 7-kilometer trip to the temple can easily be made from Sitapur village.
Guptakashi -
You should make time to visit this little town in the Rudraprayag district while you are in Kedarnath. It is located on the Mandakini river bank, in route to Kedarnath. Bhagwana Shiva hid away from the Pandavas in Gupta Kashi, also known as hidden Kashi, when they came to ask for his blessings following the Mahabharata war. Living in Guptakashi gives you the opportunity to visit neighboring, well-known places of worship like Vishwanath and Ardhnarishwar Temple.
One of the must-see locations in and near Kedarnath is the temples honoring the two distinct incarnations of Lord Shiva. Come to this town if nothing else only to go shopping. It is home to some of the top stores selling figurines, artwork, antiques, and more.
Chorabari Tal -
At 3,900 meters above the water's surface, the picturesque Chorabari Tal lake was created by the Chorabari Bamak glacier. This lake is located at the base of the summit of Kedarnath. Because some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were dissolved here, Chorabari Tal is also known as Gandhi Sarovar.
It is also thought that Lord Shiva taught the Saptarishis the principles of yoga at this lake. The simplest trek is to Chorabari Tal, which is just 3 kilometers of gorgeous fields covered with grass. You will be treated to breathtaking views of the mysterious mountains in the background along with the Madhu Ganga waterfall on the route to the lake.
Tungnath Temple -
One of the Panch Kedar temples, the Tungnath temple is at 3,680 feet above the surface of the earth. This temple, which is 3 km away from Chopta, is well-known for being the most elevated Shiva temple in the world. This is a well-known tourist destination in Kedarnath that draws a large number of pilgrims each year.
This, where Lord Shiva is worshiped and adored, is thought to be approximately a millennium old. Only ten people may fit inside the sanctum of this temple, which has Nagara-style architecture. It is thought that Adi Shankaracharya found this temple. The Pandavas established this temple, according to tradition, to ask Lord Shiva for forgiveness and blessings for fighting their cousins.
Rudranath Temple -
This historic temple to Lord Shiva lies in the Chamoli neighborhood. Sitting at 22,866 meters above sea level in the Garhwal Himalayas, the Rudranath temple was built by the Pandavas. The Panch Kedar Yatra visits this shrine as the third stop. This temple is supposed to be the location where Lord Shiva's head first appeared as a bull. Wrapped by dense trees, the head of Lord Shiva is worshiped and known as Neelkanth Mahadeva.
Moreover, there are other holy water reservoirs surrounding the temple, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Suryakund, Chandra-Kund, and Tara-Kund. This temple's gates open in April or May each year, and they close in the november.
Conclusion
To sum up, exploring Kedarnath's otherworldly beauty is a spiritual trip that goes beyond simple sightseeing. Every second spent here is filled with spiritual importance and breathtaking scenery, from the holy vibrations of the Kedarnath Temple to the peaceful happiness of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. Kedarnath has something to offer everyone, whether you're a devoted pilgrim looking for comfort in the holy presence or an eager explorer seeking the excitement of hiking over difficult terrain.
You'll get caught in the rich tapestry of heritage and culture that define this holy region as you travel through the charming villages, lush valleys, and pure rivers. And among the gorgeous scenery, you'll come across pious and introspective moments that stay with you forever.
So Kedarnath is ready to weave its magic and create experiences that will last a lifetime, whether you're searching for adventure, enlightenment, or just a moment of peace. Set out on this adventure and let the ageless charm of Kedarnath enchant your senses and raise your soul.
