The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered Hindu shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, it sits at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) near the Mandakini River in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Key Features of Kedarnath Temple:
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Part of Char Dham Yatra – One of the four sacred pilgrimage sites (along with Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri).
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Jyotirlinga – It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
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Legend – Believed to have been built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya.
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Architecture – Built with massive stone slabs in a traditional Himalayan style, with a conical Shiva lingam inside.
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Opening Period – Open only six months a year (April/May to November) due to extreme snowfall in winter.
2013 Uttarakhand Floods & Kedarnath
The temple was severely affected by the 2013 flash floods, but the main structure miraculously survived. The surrounding area was devastated, leading to major reconstruction efforts.
How to Reach Kedarnath?
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Nearest Town: Gaurikund (16 km trek starting point).
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Trek Distance: 16 km (can also be covered by helicopter or pony/palki services).
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Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (239 km away).
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Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (221 km away).
Best Time to Visit
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May to June & September to October (pleasant weather, less rain).
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Avoid monsoon (July-August) due to landslides.
Kedarnath is not just a pilgrimage but also a breathtaking Himalayan destination, offering spiritual solace and stunning natural beauty.
