Kedarnath Temple, also known as Kedarnath Mandir, stands in the town of Kedarnath in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the shrines that Hindus regard as principal manifestations of Shiva.
The temple sits at an altitude of 3,583 metres in the Himalayas, which shapes almost every part of a visit. The air is thin, the weather can change quickly, and the surrounding mountains give the setting a stark and quiet grandeur. Most people who come here are pilgrims, though visitors who come for the landscape and the sense of the high Himalayas will find much to appreciate as well.
What a visit involves
- The temple is a place of worship, so visitors should dress modestly and behave respectfully.
- Because of the altitude, take time to acclimatise and drink plenty of water.
- Conditions in the mountains vary with the season, so check current information before setting out.
- The temple's contact number is +91-1364-233001, which is useful for enquiries before you travel.
The area around it
Kedarnath is a base for trekking and for the wider pilgrimage routes of Uttarakhand. Travellers often combine a visit with time among the valleys and peaks of the region, and the journey itself, through the hills of Rudraprayag, is part of the experience. Those who want to see the temple in its mountain setting, and to take part in a long-standing tradition of pilgrimage, will find this a visit worth planning with care.