Kedarnath FAQ

A. Although the Kedarnath Yatra is known for its gruelling and long trek, it brings out a plethora of hidden treasures and an astounding experience. The journey to the Kedarnath region is decorated with beauty of nature and the view of the temple and its backdrop is un describable. A trip to the castle on Adi Shankara Samadhi is also necessary to discover Kedarnath fully. A good DSLR camera can augment the experience. A hike to Vasuki Tal, an alpine lake 8 kms away from Kedarnath by foot is suggested if possible.

A. Yes, all pilgrims are required to park their vehicles at the Sonprayag Parking area. To travel from Sonprayag to Gaurikund, shared taxi services are available, primarily due to the narrow road conditions along this route.

A. Obviously, every pilgrim has to leave his car at the Sonprayag Parking zone. The shared taxi services along this route are mainly being carried because of the nature of narrow road which is typical along this trail from Sonprayag to Gaurikund.

A. Kedarnath Yatra is notorious for a thrilling uphill hike, but nonetheless it has much hidden treasure and golden fact that can be touched during the trek and at Kedarnath Masjid. One wouldn’t be able to describe the beauty of the temple at Kedarnath against its backdrop as it is heavily natural. To travel Kedarnath, the person must travel Bhauravnath Temple which is at the nearside of the temple on a hill. A top-tier DSLR will enhance the aesthetic of the experience. If open, the trekel should be made to Vasuki Tal (Open Lake, 8 kms from Kedarnath).

A. Kedarnath temple is located in the high Himalayan region, even during May-June nights might be cold. The packing of heavy warm woolen clothes should be considered such as the jacket, coat, sweater, gloves, and woolen socks. Furthermore, take strong-soles shoes with good grip, as well as flipflops and sandals. As the weather is unpredictable, a raincoat is inevitable. Kedarnath ensures basic medical facilities but it is recommended to have a personal first aid kit and other necessary medications, which should be properly prescribed. During the trip, you should have a letter from the physician. Both Gaurikund and Kedarnath are endowed with many prasad shops that desist the pilgrims from carrying offerings themselves. Kedarnath contains donation boxes and the Badri-Kedar Samiti office for those willing to make donations.

A. You can choose either GMVN or other private agencies for your travel, provided that they handle their services in a reputable, cost effective and affordable way. On the way, there are 3-star hotels that belong to the deluxe category and offer only the most basic meals. Another convenient option for those who are flexible with their budget is hiring a cab from Delhi or Haridwar for the entire trip. Otherwise, you can look for independent Char Dham operators. Be it hiring a cab or booking a Kedarnath tour package with complete itinerary, ShrineYatra.com is a trustworthy source for your travel requirements!

A. Kedarnath offers 2-3 budget hotels as many others were washed away in 2013 floods. The demands for accommodation needs are addressed by GMVN that provides a sufficient number of tents and pre-fabricated huts and has 1000 bed spaces at Kedarnath Dham. The Pilgrims can easily book online in advance through the official GMVN website.

A. The Kedarnath shrine can be approached trekking, dandi, kandi, mules or helicopter from Gaurikund, a highland destination. One metalled road that is well connected to Haridwar goes to Gaurikund/Sonprayag, which is itself connected to major cities such as Delhi. The Kedarnath Yatra would also be starting from the capital city of India, either from Delhi or from Haridwar. Delhi being the capital of India has many flight connections to different cities all over the world, and the road trip from Delhi to Haridwar is easy, stretching for about 210 km in around 5 hours. Another option for air travelers would be a flight to Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport) only 40 km away (about 1 hour ride) from Haridwar. Alternatively, tourists can land at Rishikesh, which is 20 km away from the airport.

A. The pilgrimage begins from the month of April or May onwards (Akshay Tritya) and concludes with Bhai Dooj after Diwali. Bhai Dooj doors of the shrine are closed for the following five or six months after Bhai Dooj due to heavy snow fall and very cold weather, where all shrine is located in Himalayan Mountain where life is not very easy to survive due to uncertain weather conditions.