Best Time To Visit Kedarnath 2023

Which month is best for Kedarnath?

The best time to visit Kedarnath is the summer season, from April to June. You can also plan Kedarnath Yatra during the pre-winter months, September-October. This sacred Dham or Temple remains closed from November-March (winter) due to extreme cold and heavy snowfall.

When monsoon arrives in Kedarnath 2023?

Kedarnath in Monsoons – In Monsoons, the Landslides are common so tourists should avoid visit to Kedarnath Shrine in Monsoon season, Monsoon months are End of July, Aug and Early September. Monsoon (July to August) are accompanied with occasional rains and also temperature drops down to 12°C. Landslides are common so tourists should avoid holidaying in this season.

Which month Kedarnath temple open in 2023?

KEDARNATH YATRA 2023: OPENING AND CLOSING DATES – The opening dates and closing dates of the Kedarnath Yatra are April 25, 2023, and November 14, 2023, respectively.

What is the rush in Kedarnath 2023?

How to register online for Char Dham Yatra 2023? –

First of all, visit the official website of Chardham Yatra www.registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. After that click on Register/Login. Now give all the required information like name, phone number and click on the register. Apart from this, pilgrims can also register by using the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app To register through WhatsApp, you have to type yatra and send it to the number 8394833833. After this, some questions will be asked, and you will have to answer all the questions. By replying, you can easily register for Chardham Yatra through WhatsApp.

: Char Dham Yatra 2023: Pilgrim influx crosses 20 lakh, registration stopped for Kedarnath till June 15

In which month Kedarnath is less crowded?

What is the best time to visit Kedarnath? – The best time to visit Kedarnath is during the month of May as soon as temple reopens or during September -October when the crowd is less.

In which month snow falls in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath in Winter (November – April) Kedarnath during the winter months of November to March is practically inaccessible due to heavy snowfall which leads to most of the roads being blocked for individuals. The temperatures go below sub-zero levels with heavy rainfall.

Is Kedarnath trek difficult?

The Kedarnath Trek is a moderate to difficult 18-kilometer trek that necessitates a reasonable level of physical fitness. Ideally, you should be starting the trek at around 4:30 a.m. so you can finish it by 2pm.

Can we go Kedarnath in September 2023?

Winter (November – April) – Photograph by https://www.sirfnews.com Between November and March, Kedarnath is practically closed to the tourists. The temperatures drop to sub-zero levels and are accompanied by heavy rains, resulting in most people avoiding travel here. The area literally turns into a white ghost town as all the main attractions in the area are shut off to tourists and visitors.

How many days required to visit Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath temple is elegantly erected amid of the snow-clad and lofty mountains with Mandakini River flowing nearby near Chorabhari Glacier. The Kedarnath temple main sanctum sanctorum is Triangular Hump shaped Shivlingam and other idols of Parvati, Pandavas, Draupadi, Nandi, and Veerabhadra are enshrined at outer periphery.

1. Customarily, Kedarnath Yatra starts from Delhi/Dehradun (nearest airports) or from Haridwar /Rishikesh (closest railway stations).
2. Edarnath has good connectivity of motorable road till Gaurikund and later uphill trek of 18 Kms is required to reach Kedarnath temple.
3. Edarnath Tour concludes in 5-6 days.

We arrange trip to Kedarnath temple with lodging facility and car rental services for the yatra. We also provide assistance on Helicopter services to Kedarnath. Browse our Kedarnath Tour Package for complete details. The popular Kedarnath Yatra starts from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and for further details visit our packages – Kedarnath Tour Package from Delhi, Kedarnath Yatra Package from Haridwar, Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter, Kedarnath Car Rental,

What are the rules for Kedarnath in 2023?

Char Dham Yatra 2023: Everything You Need to Know About Updated Travel Guidelines The is a sacred pilgrimage for Hindus that comprises four holy shrines located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Every year, thousands of devotees from across the country and around the world embark on this religious journey to seek blessings and attain spiritual fulfilment.

• However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chardham Yatra was severely affected in 2020 and 2021, with strict restrictions on travel and entry to the shrines.
• As we approach the year 2023, new rules and regulations for the Chardham Yatra are expected to be put in place to ensure the safety of the devotees and prevent the spread of the virus.

As you already know that Chardham Yatra 2023 registration has already started from February 20th and now in this blog, we will let you know the changes in the rules for the Chardham Yatra 2023. Read the rules below before you start your planning. Before starting the latest updates for Char Dham Yatra 2023, we have to share the good news for the devotees who are preparing for the sacred yatra this year.

The dates for Chardham Yatra have already been announced; on April 21, Baba Kedar’s ride will start for Kedarnath Dham from Ukhimath. On April 22, the Doli will reach Phata after spending the previous night in Guptkashi and on April 24 evening, the ride will reach the Kedarnath Temple finally. From April 25 morning onwards, the doors of Kedarnath Temple will be opened to the public as per the rules.

Now, let’s know about the changed rules of Chardham Yatra 2023 guidelines:

This year, there will be no need to have an E-Pass for Chardham Yatra. Residents of Uttarakhand will have no requirements to register themselves for Chardham Yatra. You have to register yourself through Dehradun Smart City Portal by entering your Aadhaar Card details to have this journey. Devotees can also register themselves at various registration facility centres in Rishikesh and different places en route for this year. As per the latest updates of Kedarnath and Badrinath Yatra Guidelines, only after registering yourself, you are eligible to visit Char Dham or roam anywhere in the state of Uttarakhand. According to the latest COVID Guidelines for Kedarnath Yatra, people having both doses have to show their vaccine certificate and those who did not have vaccination, need to show the RT PCR test report done within 72 hours. Moreover, if a devotee found COVID positive during the journey, he or she will be sent back to investigation. For this year, Char Dham Yatra 2023, giving prasad and applying tika are not allowed in the courtyard of Kedarnath Temple. In addition to this, pilgrims are not allowed to touch any idols, books and bells.

Follow this space to know more updates on Chardham Yatra 2023 in the upcoming days. Char Dham Temples Opening Dates 2023

Yamunotri Temple Opening Date	22 April 2023
Yamunotri Temple Opening Date	22 April 2023
Kedarnath Temple Opening Date	25 April 2023
Badrinath Temple Opening Date	27 April 2023

Popular Chardham Yatra Tour Packages Amidst the natural splendors of Himalayan and Garhwal ranges of Uttarakhand lies the most important and popular religious pilgrimage centers for Hindu devotees – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These four sacred destinations are known as Char Dhams which hold a great religious and spiritual value.

Devotees from all over the world come here to seek divine grace. Moreover, these Dhams have surreal and ethereal vibes. The concept of Moksha is highly believed in Hindu philosophy. Devotees who are seeking spiritual wisdom and divine grace must visit Char Dhams. Without visiting the Char Dhams, your transcendent quest would remain complete.

It is said that those who come here would be free from any sins and karmic backlogs. What adds to the sacredness of these Dhams is the pious Ganga River that flows through the four Dhams. Not only the Char Dham Yatra offers unbroken vistas of surreal lofty peaks and picturesque landscapes but also the magnificent temples and sacred kunds would delight your eyes and senses.

The Char Dham Yatra starts from Yamunotri then Gangotri, Kedarnath and then Badrinath. It needs to be done sequentially. Yamunotri Dham – is a pious pilgrimage destination for Hindu devotees in the great Himalayas. It is the origin point of the second sacred river of India – River Yamuna. It is said that taking a holy dip in river Yamuna would prevent untimely death of any person.

Goddess Yamunotri is the presiding deity of Yamunotri Dham. Yamunotri Glacier, lush greenery all around, hot springs and lakes makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions of Uttarakhand. Gangotri Dham – Dotted in high Garhwal Himalayas, is one of the divine destinations and Char Dhams which is an important pilgrimage place for Hindu devotees.

• It is the origin point of the most sacred river of India – River Ganga.
• The holy river of Ganga originates through Gangotri glacier.
• Goddess Ganga is the presiding deity of Gangotri Dham.
• It is also one of the best adventure destinations in Uttarakhand as Garhwal Himalayas is a great place for trekkers and mountaineers.

The most popular trek here is Gangotri- Gaumukh Trek. Kedarnath Dham- Decked in snow-capped Garhwal Himalayas and surrounded by the stunning alpine meadows, the holy is one of the most important and popular pilgrimage destinations in Uttarakhand for Hindu devotees.

Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of Kedarnath Temple Dham. It is the highest of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. Moreover, if you are a nature lover Kedarnath is a lovely place to be in due to the abundance of natural beauty in the form of a beautiful valley of Rhododendrons, pristine lakes and lofty mountains.

Badrinath Dham – is among the four pious Char Dhams of India. Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of Badrinath Temple. Which is the center of attraction of this place. Nestled between Nar and Narayana Mountain ranges it is one of the most stunning destinations to visit in Uttarakhand.

Mussoorie and Kempty Falls- Beauty and Bliss Lakhamandal Temple – Serene and Divine Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttarkashi – Surreal and sublime Vishwanath Temple – Guptkashi – Ethereal and Serene Kalimath Temple – Seek divine grace Ukhimath Temple – Be one with the almighty Tapt Kund – Take a holy dip Panch Prayag – Confluence of the five holy rivers Vashishta Gufa- For self-introspection Vasuki Tal- Best for trekking Surya Kund -Blissful hot water spring

Other Interesting Blogs to Read If you were waiting to seek the divine grace of the most pious destinations of India – Char Dhams then this is the right time for you to plan your Charm Dham Yatra Tour. Being the most divine destinations of India, these Dhams and its surroundings offer the most scenic vistas to the tourists and devotees which is a visual treat for their eyes and soul.

The vibes here are surreal and ethereal as the crispy mountain air and the uncharted terrains of Uttarakhand offers many adventure sports for the thrill and excitement toad in your spiritual journey. It is indeed a best destination to visit in India. Other Interesting Blogs to Read Like & Follow our social media accounts at,, & for getting the latest updates & offers on,

Disclaimer: We do not take credit for some of the licenced paid images used in our blogs, whether from Google Images, Fotolia & Shutterstock. All such images are the copyrights of their respective owners and we try to provide credit for them wherever we can.

You have to register yourself. You have to show a vaccination certificate. If you don’t have a vaccination certificate, you have to show a RT PCR test report done within 72 hours. You don’t have to register yourself if you’re from Uttarakhand. Do not touch the idols, books and bells in the temple and its courtyard.

Some of the common challenges faced during the Char Dham Yatra are:

As the temples are in high altitudes, roads are a little difficult. Change in atmosphere might trigger some altitude sickness syndrome. In the peak time or season, the journey might become chaotic. Due to sudden changes of weather, there might be casualties or calamities. A lack of accommodation facilities can be found in the higher places during the peak season.

You can take public transportations till the base camps for the Char Dham temples from Delhi, Haridwar or Rishikesh. From base camp, Char Dham pilgrims can trek or visit the temples by availing a helicopter ride, pony, horse or palki ride. There are certain points up to where they can reach by a jeep.

As per the latest COVID-19 guidelines, the protocols for the Char Dham Yatra 2023 are, people having both doses have to show their vaccine certificate and those who did not have vaccination, need to show the RT PCR test report done within 72 hours. Moreover, if a devotee found COVID positive during the journey, he or she will be sent back to investigation.

Only Aadhaar Card details are required for Char Dham Yatra registration. You can register yourself through Portal or at different registration facilities in Rishikesh and the routes of Char Dham. Yes, you can register for the Char Dham Yatra offline at different facilities in Rishikesh and the route of Char Dham.

What is the last date of Kedarnath yatra 2023?

Kedarnatha Yatra 2023: Kedarnath Dham, the temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The doors of holy temple have been opened today i.e., on April 25, 2023 at 06:30 AM in the morning with a special puja. The opening date and time of the Kedarnath shrine is decided according to the Panchang by the priests of Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar Temple and the date was declared on Mahashivratri.

Edarnath Yatra 2023 : Opening and Closing Date Opening Date – April 25, 2023 – 06:30 AM Closing Date – November 14, 2023 Kedarnath Yatra 2023: Opening Ceremony This day is considered to be most auspicious day and holds a great importance. A large number of Hindu devotees across the world visit the holy temple of Lord Shiva to witness this moment.

After a long hours of worship and prayers by priests, Kedarnath doors open. Devotees can have a glimpse of Kedarnath baba only after completing the door opening ceremony. Kedarnath Yatra 2023: Closing Ceremony A grand celebration is conducted during the closing ceremony of Kedarnath Dham.

• Garhwal Band takes the Baba Kedar Doli to the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath which is Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.
• The doors closes two days after Diwali i.e., on the day of Bhai Dooj.
• The closing date of Kedarnath is fixed i.e., 2 days after Diwali when Bhai Dooj is celebrated.
• In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on 12 Nov, so Kedarnath Temple will be closed on 14 November.

Kedarnath Yatra 2023: How to Book? Official Website – badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in and https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/ Kedarnath Yatra 2023: How to Visit? Kedarnath is one of the most visited religious places and alo one of the chardham and lakhs of devotees visit to have a glimpse of lord Shiva.

Devotees who wants to visit this holy place then they have to register themselves through online from the official website after that devotees need to download their E-Pass from the same website. As per the new guidelines, only certain number of visitors are allowed each day. The temple is 18 kilometre far from Gaur kund and people have an option to travel through helicopter from Phata, Sersi, Sitapur and Guptkashi.

During winters there is a heavy snowfall and all the routes are closed for 6 months and at that time the idol is shifted to Ukhimath and reinstalled again during the month of April and May. Kedarnath Yatra 2023: FAQs

When will Kedarnath doors open ? Kedarnath dham doors have been opened today i.e., on April 25, 2023. How to visit Kedarnath ? Devotees would require to register themselves through the official website in advance and they can visit Kedarnath dham. What is the official website to register for Kedarnath Dham Yatra? Devotees can register by visiting badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in website or https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/ and visit Kedarnath dham. How much does Kedarnath Yatra costs? It depends upon the number of people and how they want to travel but the minimum costs starts from 10k to 40k. When will Kedarnath doors close in 2023? Kedarnath temple doors will be closed on the holy even of Bhaiya Dooj i.e., on November 14, 2023.

How to register for Kedarnath yatra 2023?

Kedarnath Registration or Char Dham Yatra Registration 2023 Quickly via Whatsapp – To complete the Kedarnath Registration Via whatsapp please message on Mobile Number: +91 8394833833 Type: “Yatra” to initiate the registration process in WhatsApp. kedarnath Registration one of the most important information which every traveler is looking for so we come up with the easy guide to complete the registration.

How much does it cost to go to Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Packages

Kedarnath Packages	Day/Night	Price
Kedarnath Yatra – Group Tour (Standard) Package	6 Days/5 Nights	₹26,190
Chardham Yatra – Group Tour (Deluxe) Package	12 Days/11 Nights	₹60,778
Do Dham – Group Tour (Deluxe) Package	8 Days/7 Nights	₹44,348
Kedarnath Yatra – Group Tour (Deluxe) Package	6 Days/5 Nights	₹30,760

When Char Dham yatra start 2023?

Char Dham Yatra 2023: Opening and closing dates for the year & more 01 The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand remains open for pilgrims only for a brief period of six months. This year, the opening date of Char Dham Yatra is from April 22, 2023. As reported earlier, the temples open every year from April, and remain accessible till November usually.

While the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples open on the day of Akshaya Tritiya every year, it’s followed by the portal opening of Kedarnath Temple and Badrinath Temple after a couple of days.Here is all you need to know about the ​ opening dates for 2023.

Why Kedarnath is at risk again?

Is Kedarnath at risk again? Is Kedarnath at risk again? It was raining incessantly and the sky was thundering with the loud noise of encircling helicopters above. The scene seemed straight out of some film. Crowds of people had lined up with a hapless look on their faces at the helipad in Dehradun.

• Some of them would rush every time a helicopter landed to show It was raining incessantly and the sky was thundering with the loud noise of encircling helicopters above.
• The scene seemed straight out of some film.
• Crowds of people had lined up with a hapless look on their faces at the helipad in Dehradun.

Some of them would rush every time a helicopter landed to show pictures of their missing relatives. Image Source: Indian Express Others searched frantically asking the authorities for any news of their loved ones. No one had foreseen this day would arrive. However, a foreshadow did linger before it all began. This is a story of an ancient temple, a landmark that has withstood vagaries of nature including one ice age.

However, what happened when men came to develop the “backward” region. Kedarnath, home to rich flora, fauna, and eco-sensitive topography Once a glorious idea “Development” in today’s world has turned into a bane. Creating a world that eased the trials and tribulations of human life in extreme conditions by constructing roads, bridges or even pakka homes in places of extreme weather and living conditions soon turned into the exploitation of local resources and topography.

This unplanned, greed-driven so-called development has lead to the destruction of unimaginable proportions. Kedarnath, one of the most ancient pilgrims nestled amongst the Chorabari glaciers is one of the most difficult treks to traverse in the lap of the grand and majestic Himalayas.

• Situated in the relatively young state of Uttarakhand, the temple is one of the four major sites in India’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage.
• At a high altitude of 11,755 ft, it is home to rich flora, fauna, and eco-sensitive topography.
• More than 70 hydroelectric projects in different tributaries and watersheds were built in the region However, after the erstwhile region which was under the state of Uttar Pradesh became a state, the region saw a boom in development.

Unplanned slipshod roads were constructed, resorts, hotels were built right next to the river.

• More than 70 hydroelectric projects in different tributaries and watersheds were built as well as there were tunnels built and blasts undertaken for these projects in the geo-dynamically fragile and unique region.
• According to environmentalists, this lead to restriction of the flow of river water, and the development activity along the rivers and streamsides contributed to a higher number of landslides and floods.
• Devastating floods of Uttarakhand

June 2013, when devastating floods and landslides wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand. The water level rose to unprecedented levels across the region. According to a report of the National Institute of Disaster Management, the Kedarnath area was the worst affected region, where the heavy rains led to the collapse of Chorabari lake resulting in the release of a large volume of water that caused another flash flood in the Kedarnath town leading to further devastation in downstream areas.

The rains continued to pour nonstop and soon Chorabari glacier burst causing widespread damage in the area. Houses fell like matchboxes. Nature’s wrath that day went on to take the lives of so many people. The Alaknanda river engulfed villages, hotels, houses, vehicles of people in just one hour, forcing people to run for their lives towards the mountains.

Hundreds of families reportedly got separated and few survivors were rescued. What led to the floods? Researchers and scientists pointed to the early and heavy monsoon rains. They railed against poorly built homes, unregulated development along the Mandakini River that runs through Kedarnath, and soil erosion caused by thousands of pilgrims trekking on foot and on donkeys to reach this remote town in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Meteorological Department had warned the State Government about the heavy rains ahead of 3 days at that time. Warning was issued on 13th June then again on 15th June. According to Anand Sharma, head of the Met Department in Dehradun as told to NDTV, “we were predicting heavy rains from 14th onward and we had informed the State Government and on 15th again we had issued the warnings with the possibility of very heavy rains and landslides.” However, another key cause to be added is global warming Scientists conclude that melting glaciers and shifting storm tracks may soon set off more catastrophic floods in mountainous regions of India and adjacent countries! Atmospheric scientists say that in northern India the intense rains that preceded the disaster are extremely rare.

But they have discovered that an unusual collision of weather systems steered storms over Uttarakhand and locked them in place, pouring rain down for days. Long-term changes in weather patterns are making such collisions more likely, a development that some scientists believe is caused by global warming.

1. Global warming has is also melting glaciers all over the Himalayas, including one perched above Kedarnath.
2. Some researchers say that had the glacier remained healthy, heavy rain alone would not have destabilized a gravel bank that collapsed, releasing a destructive pulse of debris-filled water.
3. Edarnath floods may be only a small precursor to never-seen-before megafloods” The Kedarnath floods may be only a small precursor to never-seen-before megafloods,” Maharaj K.

Pandit, director, Centre for Inter-disciplinary Studies of Mountain & Hill Environment, Delhi University had said back when the floods place. Experts believe that the high precipitation on that very morning of June 16 rapidly filled up Chorabari Tal, a glacial lake less than 4 km upstream from Kedarnath, and the continuing downpour the next morning caused the lake to overflow.

1. What happened in 2013 might just be a trailer
2. Making meditative caves in Kedarnath for tourism, making motels hotels and cutting mountains for roads in this region will not only make our Himalayas weak but attract more of such calamities.
3. The development of the Himalayas for tourism is not a healthy option for human or any other creature’s survival.

We depend on the natural resources of the Himalayas. Construction could speed up the already Melting glaciers. Even today scientists worry that not much snow is settling in the high mountain regions because of development and construction. However, as of today, the temple is again surrounded by a newly reconstructed town with even more cramped and unplanned construction than the last time.

According to (2017), the agency responsible for the reconstruction is not one with expertise in urban planning or construction – rather, the job has been handed to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). This is not all, much of the region has witnessed similar development with no scientific analysis regarding the region’s sensitivity as well as zero planned approach.

From the all-weather road that sacrificed almost 30000 or more trees along the way and which is but a huge mound of landslides from Rishikesh to Badrinath and gets dangerous in monsoons. Kedarnath at a risk again? At a seminar held a few days ago at the Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII) that was also attended by the principal scientific advisor (PSA) to the PM, K Vijay Raghavan, scientists how the fragile ecology of Kedarnath was being disturbed.

Delivering a presentation, MPS Bisht, director of Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC), an autonomous organization under the state department of science and technology that works in association with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said, “Just 50 metres behind the Kedarnath temple, a pit has been dug that is 100 metres wide and 50 feet deep for building the ‘samadhi sthal’.

This pit may turn out to be extremely dangerous in the future.” The pit, if left uncovered, will fill up with snow every winter. In 2019, there was 48 feet of snow Bisht said, “We already have huge glaciers in that topography and on top of that we are digging such a huge pit.

• This is bound to disturb the fragile ecology of the region.
• We have been seeing increasing seismic activity and earthquakes.
• Why are we creating a situation for another disaster like the 2013 tragedy to take place again?” Bisht cited another example of “unabated unscientific work in the valley.” He said, “There was earlier a road to the Kedarnath temple from the right bend of the Mandakini river.

There was a reason why the original road was constructed on the right bend by our ancestors. This was because the left bend has ‘loose glacial sediments’ which means that any structure here is prone to avalanches and landslides Other scientists at the conference agreed.

“Kedar means ‘swampland’, and digging a 50 feet deep pit here will only invite trouble considering that there are glaciers nearby like Chorabari (whose bursting had triggered the 2013 disaster),” said a scientist from the Dehradun-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. He added, “The road being built to Kedarnath is being made on the most vulnerable area of Kedarnath valley and may any day collapse under the pressure of so many glacier shoots which are directly opening on the road.” As scientists give warning upon warnings, the threat looms large upon the fragile eco-sensitive zone as new projects continue to be green-lighted.

We have to reset and rethink “development.” ( The views expressed in the article are the author’s own. Let Me Breathe neither endorses nor is responsible for them.) : Is Kedarnath at risk again?

Is it safe to visit Kedarnath in 2023?

whenever it’s about to Kedarnath travel, one thing comes to our mind that what is the best time to visit Kedarnath? The best time to visit Kedarnath in 2023 is May to June and September to October. Click Here : Book Your Hotels in Haridwar/Kedarnath/Sonprayag From Here you should avoid July and August during Monsoon as many landslides are seen during this time.

Is there oxygen problem in Kedarnath?

Preventing Deaths at Kedarnath By Gautam Kaul By the time this small essay find a public opening for readers, the death toll for the Char Dham Yatra, including Kedarnath Temple in Garhwal, should have crossed the 125 mark (excluding road accidents on the Char Dham route). The toll shall slowly increase because the conditions created around the temple area do not offer any protection to the visitors whose pilgrimage is based entirely on ‘ aastha ‘.

1. It need not be thus.
2. We need to reflect first why these deaths are being reported when there were no such reports seven years ago before the deluge hit the temple following incessant rains in the area.
3. Edarnath is located at an approximate height of 11,700 ft above sea level.
4. The temple is located in a funnel protected by two high mountains on its sides with the mountain streams Mandakini and Saraswati flowing in this gorge.

This wide gorge daily, at around 12.30 p.m., sees the rise of high winds which shed their energies by about 5 p.m. Daily, all flights are closed during this time. (The latest episode occurred on 7 June, ‘22, when a helicopter hit its side while landing due to wind sheer.) Any helicopter moving in this area must come down to under 8,000 ft a.s.l.

1. For its own safety and wait for the winds to calm down.
2. In the last ten years, there have been at least two flying accidents when helicopters became victims of wind sheer in this funnel area and hit one side of the mountain with fatal results.
3. The second factor to keep in mind is the height of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva the Destroyer.

In geography, we were taught the atmosphere consists of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide and when you move above the height of 6,000 ft a.s.l. the oxygen concentration above the ground starts to get thin. The rate of depletion of atmospheric oxygen may vary locally depending on the concentration of vegetation, but in mountain areas the depletion is relatively uniform for every 100 feet of height away from the ground.

• In general terms, any person climbing mountains must either have very good lungs, or be young in age between 18 and 55 years.
• One can still be a good mountaineer even at the age of 70 years if one is a yoga practitioner.
• The oxygen depletion is measured in atmospheric pressure or percent in less oxygen.

At Kedarnath, the atmospheric presence of oxygen is only 40 percent of the required level. This means that the lungs must breathe faster and the heart must pump more to retain the oxygen level in the body. When the compensatory level of oxygen is not available, the heart suffers fatigue and its muscles cease to work.

The oxygen depletion also affects the brain, which because of oxygen starvation swells inside the skull and we have high altitude pain in the brain. The only cure is to either quickly bring the patient down to a ground level under 6500 ft a.s.l. or be put under extra oxygen supply to breathe. All heart attacks in recent deaths here are reportedly due to oxygen starvation.

The conservative way to take a darshan at Kedarnath is to get acclimatised with the higher heights. For Kedarnath, a minimum 24 hours’ halt at about a height of 8,500 – 10,000 ft a.s.l. is ideal. This is achieved when a person treks into the area and slowly gains altitude.

• I remember, during 1967-69, when the Garhwal Vikas Mandal was on a road development spree in this area, alarmed citizens saw how quickly the environment deteriorated around Badrinath Temple when an all weather road reached the pilgrim village.
• They ran down to New Delhi as a delegation and met Mrs Indira Gandhi and requested her to stop the under construction road to Kedarnath to preserve the sanctity of the area.

Mrs Gandhi saw the point and quickly ordered stoppage of the construction work. The road had reached up to Gauri Kund by then. The result of this stoppage was the hill streams remained clean for direct drinking of water, sanitation remained under control, and the temple area was never crowded except on the opening and closing week.

1. Except the temple priests, the good place for staying overnight was at Gauri Kund, which also became the terminal bus stop.
2. The pony and mule drivers also camped at Gauri Kund.
3. At night, a lone electric bulb lit the main temple compound.
4. Directions were issued by the high authorities to upgrade all important places of Hindu worship.

Char Dham, including Kedarnath, came into consideration and a plan was made to beautify the area. New power lines were laid, a helipad was developed, a police post was created, tourist cottages were designed, new rest rooms for temple purohits and dharmashalas were planned, the approach pathway was widened and stone paved, a primary health centre was considered.

New barracks for pony drivers were planned and a cave was carved out for meditation for those who could afford. Indeed a new small town of Kedarnath was envisaged. But some important factors were totally overlooked. No one planned how the new mini town would attract the worshippers, nobody planned how the area sanitation would be cared for, and garbage disposed, no body foresaw the streams of Mandakini and Saraswati become so polluted as to make them undrinkable.

With a lot of fanfare, the new Kedarnath area was reopened for public. Against an earlier lot of 1000 worshippers coming daily, the opening week saw an average of 30,000 worshippers in the temple area. People did not return to sleep until late at night and strolled around to see the floodlit temple.

1. There was no crowd control; the area was littered with paper and plastic bags, half finished food packets, and what not.
2. Prime Minister Modi had to make a rare public appeal to people not to litter the temple area.
3. It made little difference.
4. Edarnath had been ‘raped’ of its aastha ; it had been turned into a local market.

And nothing could now be done to save it. Mrs Gandhi’s fear had now come to descend as reality. Deaths were one of the fallouts of the new development. Where once it took half a day to walk or ride a pony from Gauri Kund to reach Kedarnath Temple, the newly developed path made it possible to do the same journey in about 175 minutes.

The journey of 16 kms was so fast that no acclimatisation could be done for the last leg of 2,500 ft. Weak hearts gave way, weak lungs gasped for oxygen and there was insufficient supply against the demand. Heart attacks followed. What is the remedy? Organise crowd control into this area. Permits should not be issued for more than 2000 visitors per day for the full season.

No cottages should be booked at Kedarnath. Develop Gauri Kund as a new hill station for trekkers to the temple. There should be ‘lights out’ for the entire area once the doors of the temple are closed. Visitors should be given one hour after door closure to move out and come down to Gauri Kund for overnight halt.

The temple purohits should organise simple ‘langar’ for feeding the visitors and all sale of junk food banned and confiscated. No plastic water bottles should be allowed and personal bottles of metal of no more than 600ccs permitted. Drink a lot of light tea instead. The temple committee should recruit local ex-servicemen to organise control when there are crowds.

There should be no police presence in the temple area. Children below the ages of seven years should be discouraged for their safety. There should be no television or radio in use in public. Helicopter passengers must be pulled out of the area within four hours of their arrival or they would be hit by high altitude sickness.

Which is the warmest month in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Temperature and Weather Details –

Month	Min. Temp	Max. Temp	Weather
January	-18°C	-4°C	Covered With Snow
January is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during January.
February	-17° C	-3° C	Covered With Snow
February is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during February.
March	-12°C	1°C	Covered With Snow
March is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during March.
April	-3°C	8°C	Covered With Snow
April is very cold during evening and night and pleasant during the days. The region is covered with snow. Sometimes the yatra opens during the last week of April.
May	0°C	5°C	Pleasant And Clear
Weather is Cold during night and slightly warm during the day in May month. Kedarnath Temple generally opens in May month. This is the month when the roads get cleared and all tourist as well as pilgrim activities can be enjoyed. Snow can be found on high altitudes.
June	4°C	12°C	Pleasant And Clear
June offers pleasant weather for visiting Kedarnath Dham. It is an ideal time of the year to explore other treks around Kedarnath such as: Vasuki Tal Trek, Chorabari Lake Trek, etc. The climate starts to get warmer during the day and the skies are partially clouded but nights are still cold.
July	6°C	15°C	Cloudy And Rains
Pleasant weather in July with monsoon showers which makes the trek slightly difficult. July is the warmest month in the year but the unexpected rain that lashes the ground can cause landslides, disrupting the tourists.
Aug	8°C	14°C	Cloudy And Rains
August is good for exploring the natural attractions in the region but occasional rainfall may cause hindrance in travel. The sky is rarely blue and cooling breeze keeps the environment cool.
September	3°C	12°C	Pleasant And Clear
The nature looks fresh and beautiful after the monsoons. September climate is moderately cold and the natural beauty is worth sighting.
October	1°C	5°C	Pleasant And Clear
Weather is Cold but pleasant during the day. Best time to visit if you want to avoid crowd and long queues for Kedarnath Temple Darshan.
November	-10°C	4°C	Chances Of Snowfall
November offers a very cold climate and snowfall is common barring the tourists from enjoying.
December	-15°C	-2°C	Covered With Snow
December is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during December.

Which month is rainy in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath in Monsoon (July to September) – Kedarnath Temperature – Avg. of 27 degrees high to 12 degrees low Weather – The monsoon in Kedarnath starts in July and continues well into mid- September. While the weather in the monsoon of Kedarnath is not a great time to visit, it still receives a fair share of tourists who come seeking a bit of a thrill.

Do take note, the temple of Kedarnath remains shut during this season since the devastating flash floods of 2013. The place is beautiful, no doubt, and adventure seekers make a beeline to the region. This is when trekking and hiking can be doubly exciting, and if the weather cooperates, the climate is actually pleasant.

If the area experiences heavy rainfall, the possibility of landslides and thus, blocked roads, increases exponentially. If you must visit in this season, come prepared to enjoy the raw beauty of largely untouched land. Significant events – A day before the joyful festival of Raksha Bandhan in August is the Shravani Annakoot Mela.

• This is a colourful fair and is celebrated by the local people to mark the new harvest.
• On this day, freshly-harvested paddy is offered to the lord’s idol as ‘prasadam’.
• The phallus-shaped idol of Lord Kedarnath is decorated with a paste made from the fresh grain.
• Several prayers and other religious rituals are conducted on this day.

The festival is a visual treat for tourists, and it also creates a spiritual experience for all those visiting Kedarnath Dham on this day. Lord Ganesh is Lord Shiva’s son, and his birthday is celebrated with much fanfare in Kedarnath. Vinayak Chaturthi comes around September and Lord Ganesha’s devotees flock to the temple to pay homage to the lord of happiness and prosperity.

1. Why you should visit now – The monsoon turns the otherwise barren land of Kedarnath into an unending spread of lush green hills and mountains, with gushing streams.
2. It’s perfect for being outdoors.
3. Now before you visit – You might think that nobody visits Kedarnath in the monsoon, but there are plenty of adventure-seekers like you, so expect to see crowds.

Tips – Carry a monsoon emergency day pack with spare clothes, a poncho, torch, extra batteries, bottle of water and dry fruits.

How long is Kedarnath trek?

Kedarnath Trek Itinerary – Here is a sample itinerary for the Gaurikund to Kedarnath trek: Day 1: Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16 km trek)

Start early in the morning from Gaurikund (elevation 1,982 m) to Kedarnath (elevation 3,583 m) The trek passes through beautiful Himalayan landscapes, including forests, waterfalls, and rivers There are several rest points and shops selling refreshments along the way Reach Kedarnath in the evening and check into a guesthouse or lodge Visit the Kedarnath temple for darshan and participate in the evening aarti

Day 2: Explore Kedarnath

Spend the day exploring Kedarnath and its surroundings Visit the Kedarnath temple for darshan and participate in the morning aarti You can also visit the Bhairavnath temple, which is a short trek away from Kedarnath Enjoy the scenic views and take part in some relaxation activities such as meditation or yoga Overnight stay at the guesthouse or lodge in Kedarnath

Day 3: Kedarnath to Gaurikund (16 km trek)

Start early in the morning from Kedarnath to Gaurikund The trek downhill can take 4-6 hours, depending on your pace Reach Gaurikund and take a dip in the hot water springs to relax your tired muscles Take a taxi or bus from Gaurikund to your onward destination

Note : This itinerary can be customized based on your preferences and fitness level. It’s important to carry essential items, follow guidelines, and respect local culture and traditions to have a safe and enjoyable trekking experience. It’s also important to acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness.

How far is Kedarnath from Dehradun?

Distance Between Dehradun to Kedarnath

Distance between Dehradun to Kedarnath by Road is	254 Kms
Distance between Dehradun to Kedarnath by Flight is	109 Kms
Travel Time from Dehradun to Kedarnath by Road is	5:53 hrs
Nearest Airport in Dehradun	Jolly Grant (30.32, 78.03)
Nearest Airport in Kedarnath	Jolly Grant (30.73, 79.07)

Which is the warmest month in Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Temperature and Weather Details –

Month	Min. Temp	Max. Temp	Weather
January	-18°C	-4°C	Covered With Snow
January is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during January.
February	-17° C	-3° C	Covered With Snow
February is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during February.
March	-12°C	1°C	Covered With Snow
March is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during March.
April	-3°C	8°C	Covered With Snow
April is very cold during evening and night and pleasant during the days. The region is covered with snow. Sometimes the yatra opens during the last week of April.
May	0°C	5°C	Pleasant And Clear
Weather is Cold during night and slightly warm during the day in May month. Kedarnath Temple generally opens in May month. This is the month when the roads get cleared and all tourist as well as pilgrim activities can be enjoyed. Snow can be found on high altitudes.
June	4°C	12°C	Pleasant And Clear
June offers pleasant weather for visiting Kedarnath Dham. It is an ideal time of the year to explore other treks around Kedarnath such as: Vasuki Tal Trek, Chorabari Lake Trek, etc. The climate starts to get warmer during the day and the skies are partially clouded but nights are still cold.
July	6°C	15°C	Cloudy And Rains
Pleasant weather in July with monsoon showers which makes the trek slightly difficult. July is the warmest month in the year but the unexpected rain that lashes the ground can cause landslides, disrupting the tourists.
Aug	8°C	14°C	Cloudy And Rains
August is good for exploring the natural attractions in the region but occasional rainfall may cause hindrance in travel. The sky is rarely blue and cooling breeze keeps the environment cool.
September	3°C	12°C	Pleasant And Clear
The nature looks fresh and beautiful after the monsoons. September climate is moderately cold and the natural beauty is worth sighting.
October	1°C	5°C	Pleasant And Clear
Weather is Cold but pleasant during the day. Best time to visit if you want to avoid crowd and long queues for Kedarnath Temple Darshan.
November	-10°C	4°C	Chances Of Snowfall
November offers a very cold climate and snowfall is common barring the tourists from enjoying.
December	-15°C	-2°C	Covered With Snow
December is snowbound and offers a freezing climate. Kedarnath is closed and inaccessible during December.

How many days required for Kedarnath?

Kedarnath Temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath temple is elegantly erected amid of the snow-clad and lofty mountains with Mandakini River flowing nearby near Chorabhari Glacier. The Kedarnath temple main sanctum sanctorum is Triangular Hump shaped Shivlingam and other idols of Parvati, Pandavas, Draupadi, Nandi, and Veerabhadra are enshrined at outer periphery.

Customarily, Kedarnath Yatra starts from Delhi/Dehradun (nearest airports) or from Haridwar /Rishikesh (closest railway stations). Kedarnath has good connectivity of motorable road till Gaurikund and later uphill trek of 18 Kms is required to reach Kedarnath temple. Kedarnath Tour concludes in 5-6 days.

We arrange trip to Kedarnath temple with lodging facility and car rental services for the yatra. We also provide assistance on Helicopter services to Kedarnath. Browse our Kedarnath Tour Package for complete details. The popular Kedarnath Yatra starts from Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and for further details visit our packages – Kedarnath Tour Package from Delhi, Kedarnath Yatra Package from Haridwar, Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter, Kedarnath Car Rental,

How many months Kedarnath is open?

What are the months for which the doors of Kedarnath temple remain open? – The doors of Kedarnath temple usually remain open for six months i.e. summer and monsoons ( May, June, July, August, September, October, and November). During winter, the temple remains closed.

Is Kedarnath trek difficult?

The Kedarnath Trek is a moderate to difficult 18-kilometer trek that necessitates a reasonable level of physical fitness. Ideally, you should be starting the trek at around 4:30 a.m. so you can finish it by 2pm.