Kedarnath

Kedarnath is a pilgrimage centre located in Uttarakhand, India. It lies at a height of 3584 m above sea level and is one of the ‘char dhams’ identified by Hinduism as the most religious places. It is also the remotest and the hardest to reach dham of all the four places.

The place remains active only six months in a year during the summer months. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter months which makes it uninhabitable. The residents of Kedarnath shift to villages lying at lower altitudes during the winter months while Lord Kedarnath’s Palki is transferred to Ukhimath.

Kedarnath is named after King Kedar, who occupies a place in mythology. According to a mythological account, King Kedar ruled the present day Kedarnath during the Satyuga period. He had a daughter named Vrinda, who was Goddess Lakshmi’s human incarnation. Vrinda is supposed to have lived an ascetic life for 60000 years, praying to the Lord all the while. Vrindavan is named in honour of her.

However, the temple of Kedarnath is supposed to date back to the period of the Mahabharata. The Kedarnath Temple opens in the month of April-May every year and remains open till November, when winter sets in.

Kedarnath is the least accessible of all the four dhams. It’s a 14 km steep climb to the temple of Kedarnath and can be done on foot or on ponies. Ponies or horses are available on rent from Gaurikund. Other than foot, the journey of Kedarnath can also be made via a helicopter. Many private operators offer helicopter services in Kedarnath.