Hindu temple
Kedarnath Temple
In short
Kedarnath, high in the Garhwal Himalayas, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a pillar of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage. Set at over 3,500 metres near the source of the Mandakini, the temple opens only for the summer months and is reached on foot.
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Key facts
- Presiding deity
- Shiva
- Significance
- A Jyotirlinga and part of the Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand
- Location
- Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Significance
Kedarnath is among the highest of the Jyotirlingas, where Shiva is worshipped as Kedar. It is one of the four shrines of Uttarakhand's Chota Char Dham.
The temple's remote Himalayan setting, open only in the warmer half of the year, makes reaching it a demanding and revered pilgrimage.
History
An ancient shrine associated in tradition with the Pandavas and later Adi Shankara, the stone temple has stood in the high Himalayas for centuries against extreme conditions.
How to reach
In the Kedarnath valley of Uttarakhand, reached by a mountain trek from Gaurikund; the temple is open roughly from late spring to autumn. Nearest hubs are Rishikesh and Dehradun.
For current darshan timings and arrangements, always check the temple’s official source: Official — Badarinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (Govt of Uttarakhand).
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About Kedarnath Temple
Is Kedarnath a Jyotirlinga?
Yes — Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and also one of the four Chota Char Dham shrines of Uttarakhand.
When is Kedarnath open?
Only in the warmer months (roughly late spring to autumn); it closes for winter due to Himalayan snow. Confirm current dates with the official shrine board.
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