Today, I’m here to provide you with information on how to plan a journey to Kedarnath Temple. Friends, you must be well aware that before the gates of Kedarnath Temple open, there is a substantial crowd eagerly waiting, and when the doors of Kedarnath Temple open in May, the number of tourists visiting the temple reaches lakhs. Now, you can understand that if you don’t plan your trip to Kedarnath Temple in advance, it can be quite challenging.
Kedarnath Dham Yatra 2023 registration
So, let’s find out what you need to plan and how before embarking on a journey to Kedarnath Temple.
Sree Kedarnath Dham is one of the four cardinal spots of Sanatan Pilgrimage, Named as Chaar Dham also called as Chota Chaar Dham. The Four Dhams are as Yamunotri, Gongotri, Kedarnath, Bhadrinath, Located in Garhwal of The Bharath State Uttarakhand.
Visiting Sree Kedarnath Dham, Besides the Holy temple you can also have wonderful views of The Himalayas covered in snow.
Where to start the journey:
Most of the pilgrims plan their journey of Char Dham Yatra with the gate pass as Haridwar. Covering all four Dhams on one go includes much physical exertion. So the best way is to break up the trip in two parts. Sree Yamunotri and Gangotri on one go. And Sree Kedarnath and Bhadrinath dham in one go.
How to reach Haridwar?
By Railway: Haridwar Junction Railway station is well connected with major cities, You can easily make through it.
By Airplane: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun is 55 KM far from Haridwar.
By Road: Haridwar to Delhi well connected with the highway NH334. You can find the buses eaily and the distance is 240 km.
You can hire a cab or four wheeler from Delhi to Haridwar, rates in general are 2000 to 3000 INR.
How to reach Kedarnth?
As mentioned above first reach Haridwar.
After reaching Haridwar then start journey to Rudraprayag. Which is 165 Km from Haridwr, It takes nearly 6 hrs of time.
While on journey you first hit Devprayag, is first of Panch-Prayag, which is holly confluence of the rivers Bhagirathi and Alknanda Rivers.
Visiting the Devprayag now continue the journey towards Rudraprayag, Which is holly confluence of Mandakini and Alaknanda Rivers. Have a great experience of evening aarti at the confluence.
Rudraprayag where to can stay for overnight. Book a room in advance to avoid last minute rush and GMVN is The best option.
On the next morning start your journey from Rudraprayag to Sonprayag via Guptkashi. If you feel tired explore nearby area to find a hotel and stay overnight.
And from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham, Start as early as possible because to get a turn into shared jeeps may take a long time, So plan accordingly.
And you Reach Gourikund, from there you start your trekking towards Shree Kedharnath Dham, It make take up to 7 to 8 hrs time as it is the distance of 22 km.
If you have elderly and children, you can avail services of Ponies and mules.
Potters are also available to get you to the temple if you find it difficult to trek. And trekking is more advisable since you can have an incredible experience of the nature, fogginess of the environment, snow-capped The Himalayan peeks.
Try to pre book rooms to stay overnight at Temple.
When and How to Book Hotels to Visit Kedarnath?
If you plan to visit Kedarnath Dham, it’s advisable to book your hotel approximately a month in advance, especially when you are planning to visit Kedarnath Dham in May and June. This is because May and June are the peak seasons for visiting Kedarnath Dham, and due to the high number of pilgrims during this time, all hotels provided by GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) are booked well in advance.
Apart from GMVN, there are other hotels and tents available. However, pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Temple usually book them on the spot.
How to Book Hotels for Kedarnath Temple:
You can book hotels for Kedarnath Temple through the GMVN website. GMVN offers hotel facilities in both Sonprayag and Kedarnath Dham. If you plan to visit Kedarnath Temple in September or October, you can also book GMVN hotels on the spot after reaching Kedarnath Temple. But if you’re planning to visit in May and June, avoid going to Kedarnath Dham without a hotel booking.
If you’re planning to visit Kedarnath in September or October, it’s a good idea to book your hotel in advance so that you don’t face any issues if the number of pilgrims and tourists increases during that time.
When and How to Get Yatra e-pass to Visit Kedarnath:
To visit Kedarnath Dham, it’s advisable to obtain a Yatra e-pass approximately one month before your journey, at the time when you book your hotel. You can obtain the Yatra e-pass online, and it’s completely free. If you prefer, you can also get the Yatra e-pass from Haridwar or Sonprayag before starting your journey to Kedarnath Dham.
I would strongly recommend obtaining the Yatra e-pass before starting your journey to Kedarnath Dham to avoid any hassles during your trip.
When and How to Book Bus Tickets to Visit Kedarnath:
If you’re planning to visit Kedarnath Temple in May and June, it’s advisable to book your bus tickets from Haridwar to Sonprayag approximately one month in advance. This is because May and June see the highest number of pilgrims and tourists, making it difficult to secure bus tickets. To avoid any inconvenience, make sure to book your bus tickets in advance. You can book bus tickets online from websites like MakeMyTrip or other similar platforms.
Please note that to undertake the journey to Kedarnath, you will need both the Yatra e-pass and an Aadhar card, as sometimes they may be requested for verification.
If you found this information about planning a trip to Kedarnath Temple helpful, please do share this post with your friends. It will help them plan their journey to Kedarnath Dham effectively.
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FAQ’s:
1: When do Kedarnath Dham opens and closes the Darshan?
Ans: It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who gather from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage. The shrine closes on the week of Kartik, on the day of Bhai Dooj (October-November) and reopens after Akshay Tritya (April-May) every year.
2: Who built Kedarnath Dham?
Ans: According to Ithihaasa, the Kedarnath Dham temple was built by the Pandavas, the heroes of the Mahabharata, as a way to atone for their sins. Lord Shiva, who was being pursued by the Pandavas, took the form of a bull and disappeared into the ground at Kedarnath.
3: Which time is good to visit Kedarnath?
Ans: As a cold climate mostly round the year, Kedarnath can best be visited in summers. May to June and September to October offers an ideal weather for visitors to explore this place. During this period, the climate of Kedarnath remains a lot pleasing and cool.
4: How much money is enough for Kedarnath trip?
Ans : On average, a budget-friendly trip to Kedarnath from Haridwar can cost anywhere between INR 10,000 to INR 14,000 per person. This includes the cost of transportation (by bus or taxi), basic accommodations, and food.
5: Can we go Kedarnath without registration?
Ans : No, you cannot visit Kedarnath temple without booking. Char Dham registration is a compulsory document for those who are planning to visit Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri temples or Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand. It is advisable to book your visit in advance to avoid disappointment.
6: Are there any helicopter services available for Kedarnath Dham Yatra?
Yes, helicopter services are available from Phata, Sersi, and Guptkashi, offering a quicker way to reach Kedarnath.
7: Is it necessary to carry any specific documents for the Yatra?
Ans: Pilgrims must obtain a Yatra pass and carry government-issued photo identification, such as an Aadhar card or passport.
8: Are there accommodation options available during the Yatra?
Ans: Yes, there are various guesthouses, dharamshalas, and campsites available for pilgrims along the Yatra route.
9: Can children and senior citizens undertake the Kedarnath Dham Yatra?
Ans: Yes, children and senior citizens can undertake the Yatra, but they should consult with a doctor and be prepared for the challenging terrain.
10: Is Kedarnath one of 12 jyotirlinga?
Ans: Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are considered to be particularly sacred shrines of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is located at an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) in the Himalayas, near the Mandakini River.
