Kedarnath Yatra — Haridwar / Sonprayag circuit
A Sacred Himalayan Pilgrimage to Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
Yatra Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Yatra Duration
3 Nights / 4 Days
Highest Altitude
Up to 3,583 m
Suitable For
Families & first-time pilgrimsAccommodation
Hotels & guesthouses
Fitness
Basic walking fitnessSeason
May to October
Temples
4 sacred shrines
Helicopter
AvailablePermits
Forest / temple permits and registrations as applicable are guided by our team.
Key facts — Kedarnath Yatra
- Duration
- 3 Nights / 4 Days
- Season
- May to October
- Route
- Haridwar / Sonprayag circuit
- Listed fee
- ₹9,499 per person
Overview
About Kedarnath Yatra
The Kedarnath Yatra is one of the most sacred and spiritually powerful pilgrimages in India, attracting thousands of devotees every year to the holy Kedarnath Temple located deep within the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and holds immense significance in Hindu mythology. Surrounded by towering snow-covered Himalayan peaks, glaciers, rivers, and rugged mountain landscapes, the temple offers not just a spiritual experience but also one of the most breathtaking journeys in the Indian Himalayas. The pilgrimage begins from Haridwar, one of the holiest cities in India situated along the sacred Ganga River. From here, travelers gradually ascend into the mountains through winding Himalayan roads, river valleys, waterfalls, forests, and sacred confluence points. One of the major highlights of the route is Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers merge to officially form the holy River Ganga. Another important spiritual stop during the journey is the famous Dhari Devi Temple situated along the banks of the Alaknanda River. The temple is deeply respected by devotees who seek blessings for protection and prosperity. The core highlight of the yatra is the Kedarnath Trek, a spiritually and physically rewarding journey through riverside pathways, mountain trails, waterfalls, forests, and glacier valleys. The trek to Kedarnath begins from Gaurikund and gradually ascends through dramatic Himalayan terrain before reaching the sacred temple complex. As pilgrims approach Kedarnath, the atmosphere transforms into a deeply peaceful and spiritual environment surrounded by towering mountains and ancient Himalayan energy. The evening aarti at Kedarnath Temple is considered one of the most unforgettable spiritual experiences in Uttarakhand. The chanting of prayers amidst the Himalayan silence creates an emotional and divine atmosphere. Pilgrims also visit the Shankaracharya Samadhi located behind the temple, dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya who played a major role in reviving Hindu pilgrimage traditions across India. The journey is not only about temple visits but also about experiencing devotion, self-discovery, endurance, nature, and the raw beauty of the Himalayas. The route provides magnificent views of rivers, waterfalls, forests, alpine valleys, and snow-covered mountain peaks throughout the pilgrimage. Whether you are a devotee seeking blessings, a spiritual traveler, or someone searching for a meaningful Himalayan experience, the Kedarnath Yatra offers one of the most transformative journeys in India.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Complete Journey Plan
Spiritual Story
Sacred Significance
According to the Mahabharata, after the Battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to cleanse themselves of the sin of killing their own kin. Shiva, reluctant to bless them, disguised himself as a bull and hid among a herd of cattle in the Garhwal Himalayas. When Bhima recognized him and grabbed his tail, the bull dove into the ground, leaving only his hump visible. That hump became the sacred Kedarnath Jyotirlinga.
The remaining body parts of Lord Shiva — his arms, navel, face, and locks — appeared at Tungnath, Madmaheshwar, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar respectively, forming the Panch Kedar circuit. The current temple structure at Kedarnath is attributed to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE), who is also said to have attained samadhi here in 820 CE. His samadhi sthal stands behind the main temple.
Source Texts
Referenced extensively in the Skanda Purana's Kedara Khand, Mahabharata (Vana Parva), and the Shiva Purana. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas — self-manifested lingams of Lord Shiva that represent his limitless cosmic power.
Puja & Rituals
Rituals, Offerings & Costs
Mahabhishek (Grand Worship) — ₹1,501 per person. Includes: Panchamrit abhishek, Rudrabhishek, offering of bel leaves, dhatura, and bhang. Duration: 45 minutes. Book 7 days in advance via bktc.nic.in.
Rudra Abhishek — ₹5,001. Full Rudra recitation with Sanskrit priests. Duration: 1.5 hours. Limited slots daily.
Laghu Rudra — ₹11,001. Most comprehensive puja. Reserved 30 days in advance. Duration: 3–4 hours.
Bhog Prasad — ₹300. Includes temple charanamrit and prasad thali.
Bhairavnath Temple — Free. Traditionally visited after Kedarnath darshan. The bhairav is considered the kshetrapala (protector) of Kedarnath.
All puja bookings coordinated by TrekRoots. Book via BKTC online portal or let our team handle advance reservations for you.
Temple Timings
Opening Hours & Aarti Schedule
| Season / Period | Morning Aarti | Darshan Hours | Evening Aarti |
|---|---|---|---|
| May–June (Opening) | 4:00 AM (Mahabhishek/VIP) | 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| July–August | 4:00 AM | 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Sept–Oct (Closing) | 4:30 AM | 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Temple timings are subject to change on festival days. Verify current timings with BKTC before travel.
Registration
Documents & Registration Requirements
Medical Advisory
Health, Fitness & AMS Awareness
Gaurikund altitude: 1,982 m. Kedarnath: 3,583 m — a 1,600 m gain over 16 km.
Spend 1 night at Rudraprayag (915 m) or Guptkashi (1,319 m) for acclimatization
AMS symptoms: headache, nausea, shortness of breath — descend immediately if they appear
Diabetics and cardiac patients must carry medical records and consult specialist before trek
Oxygen cylinders and first-aid kits available at Lincholi, Bhimbali, and Kedarnath medical camps
SDRF rescue teams stationed at key points on the trail
AMS — Acute Mountain Sickness
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath. If symptoms appear above 2,500 m — descend immediately and seek medical attention. Our team carries oxygen cylinders and emergency medication.
Helicopter
Helicopter Services
Helicopter services are available from 4 government-approved helipads to Kedarnath. The 7-minute flight replaces the 16–18 km trek. Tariff (government-controlled): One-way ₹4,500–₹5,500 | Round-trip ₹8,500–₹10,000. Book via heliyatra.irctc.co.in (official IRCTC portal) or via Manya's concierge team. Operators: Himalayan Heli Services, Pawan Hans, Heritage Aviation, UTAir.
Available Helipads
Book helicopter in advance — seats are limited and sell out quickly during peak pilgrimage season (May–June). Manya's team can arrange bookings on your behalf.
Accessibility Services (Pony / Palki / Doli)
Reviews
What Pilgrims Say
"The Manya team arranged everything perfectly — from the Guptkashi hotel to the Kedarnath puja slot. The sunrise at the temple was a moment I will carry forever."
Arjun Mehta
Gujarat · May 2025
"I am 67 years old and went via helicopter. Manya team stayed with me every step. The Mahabhishek puja was emotional beyond words. Har Har Mahadev!"
Sunita Devi
Rajasthan · September 2024
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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The TrekRoots Advantage.
50+ Himalayan treks on the catalogue
Winter summits, monsoon meadows and high passes across Uttarakhand and Himachal — enough range that there is a right trek for you in almost any month.
12+ sacred yatras, run every season
Char Dham, Do Dham, Kedarnath and Adi Kailash with Om Parvat, including helicopter transfers where the window allows it.
10,000+ travellers since 2012
More than a decade of departures across 30+ Himalayan routes, which is why our itineraries read like they were written by someone who has walked them.
Six homestays we own and run
Basecamp nights in our own properties across Uttarakhand, so the night before your trek is not left to whoever had a room free.
We carry our trash back down
Every group brings down its own waste plus whatever earlier groups left behind, and there is no single-use plastic on the trail — refillable bottles are handed out at basecamp.
Hired from the villages at the trailhead
Guides, cooks and porters come from the villages where the trek starts, and camps are pitched on designated ground and rotated to let the meadows recover.
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