Kedarnath is one of the four Dhams of the Himalayas and is nearly 1000 years old. It is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand at a height of 3584 metres near the River Mandakini. It is surrounded by the snow-capped Garhwal Himalayan ranges and is visited by thousands of tourists annually.

This range is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Visiting Kedarnath Dham is considered one of the holiest pilgrimages of Lord Shiva. During winter, usually in November, there is heavy snowfall in Kedarnath, and all the routes to the shrine are closed for six months. The statue of Lord Shiva is shifted from Garhwal to Ukhimath till May when it is reinstalled in Garhwal (Kedarnath).

This article presents a comprehensive guide to planning your pilgrimage to this holy abode of Lord Shiva.

A Guide to Kedarnath Yatra 2022

If you are looking forward to visiting Kedarnath Dham in 2022, it is high time you start planning your journey properly. The reason is that the temple premises opened on 6th May 2022 and will close soon after Diwali on 26th October 2022.

It is advisable to visit Kedarnath during the summer months of April to June and in the winter months from September to November. The temple opens every day from 5 am till lunch time then reopens at 5 pm. The evening Aarti is a beautiful sight to be witnessed. It starts at around 6 pm every day.

How to reach the Kedarnath temple?

• By road

You can reach the last motorable road from Kedarnath at Gaurikund by bus or a taxi from Haridwar or Dehradun. It takes about 5 hours for buses to travel from Haridwar to Gaurikund in Kedarnath. After that, an 18 km hike begins along the Himalayas. If you travel by road, you will need a minimum of four days to complete your yatra.

• By train

You can board trains from Delhi to either Hardwar, Dehradun or Rishikesh and then travel by road via a taxi. Around 210 km from Gaurikund is Rishikesh, the nearest railway station to Kedarnath. You can take a bus to Gaurikund from Rishikesh.

• By air

Jolly Grant Airport, located on the Rishikesh-Dehradun highway, is the nearest airport to Kedarnath. A taxi can be booked from the airport to reach Gaurikund.

How to reach the Dham from Gaurikund?

• Trek- If you are adventurous and physically fit, the 18 km long trek can be the best option for reaching Kedarnath from Gaurikund. It takes 5 to 6 hours to cover the path. The streets are well-built, and medical facilities are available to make the trekking experience smooth for the pilgrims.
• Helicopter Services- You can rely on the helicopter services available from Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh to visit all the temples in Kedarnath in two days. The one-way trip costs around ₹2340 while the round trip costs about ₹4680.
• Palki- This is the next preferred option after the helicopter services as it is reliable and comfortable. One-way charges for a Palki are ₹4000 up to 75 kg and ₹4500 up to 90 kg.

Where to stay near Kedarnath?

There are many places to stay near Kedarnath. However, the best family hotels in Kedarnath, like OYO 91274 Vivek Hotel, OYO 61642 Uma Shree Hotel, and OYO 88083 Hotel Aashish & Restaurant, are among the most affordable and comfortable ones. These hotels lie within a distance range of 40 to 60 km from Kedarnath Temple.

Places to visit near Kedarnath

Some other places to visit near Kedarnath are Vasuki Tal lake, Triyuginarayan temple, Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, Ukhimath, Chopta, Tungnath, Chandrashila Trek, etc.

Tips for Kedarnath Yatra

Here are a few tips for you to keep in mind for a fruitful yatra:-

• Make sure you are physically fit by getting a health check-up before your trek to the temple.
• If you suffer from respiratory ailments or hypertension, you must not trek to Kedarnath.
• Carry winter clothing even in summer.
• Carry a medical bag consisting of painkillers, cough syrups, antiseptic creams, pain relief creams, and medicines for cold and fever.
• To travel through a palki, make the booking before your journey at Gaurikund/Sonprayag booking counter.
• Jungle Chatti, Bheem Bali and Lincholi camps are set up between the trek for a night, so you can rest before beginning the next day.

Conclusion

Visiting and witnessing the holy shrine of Lord Shiva will be a mesmerising experience for you. However, it is recommended to skip the monsoons for your trip. Keep a few extra days in hand to visit nearby places and choose OYO hotel rooms for a comfortable stay!