Kedarnath, one among the holiest pilgrim centers in Hindus, is located in the Rudraprayag in the northern state of India: Uttarakhand, amongst the scenic locales of the Gharwal region, having a panoramic view and unruffled ambiance. Kedarnath temple is among one of the 12 Jyotir Lingams and is also the most important temple among the Panch Kedars (group of 5 Shiva temples in Garhwal Himalayas). It is covered with snowy peaks, alpine forests and colourful rhododendrons. Kedarnath is located at an altitude of 3,584 m above sea level, near the head of river Mandakini. It is one of the four major sites in India’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage that includes Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Kedarnath is popular for the ancient Shiva Temple.

Every year thousands of visitors and devotees visit here to get a glance at lord shiva. Tourists get an exhilarating experience during the trip. The best time to visit Kedarnath is between May to October. The maximum temperature goes to 36 degree C in the month of May and a minimum of 70 degree C in the month of January. Every year the door of the Shiva temple closes on the first day of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November) and reopens in Vaishakh (April-May).

The temple is not directly connected through the road and has to be reached by a 22 kilometers uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony and manchan services are available to reach the temple. The temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town was witnessed extensive damage during the2013 flash floods in North India. Approximately 5,000 national and international devotees were missing or dead in that flood. The temple reopened after a year again for visitors and devotees.

The Kedarnath Shiva temple has very significant importance in the Hindu religion. It was believed that the shrine is submerged in snow for six months when Lord Shiva shifted to Ukhimath. The temple came into existence when Pandavas’ worshiped Lord Shiva to atone for their sins for killing their brethren during the Kurukshetra war. Lord Shiva forgave their sins and blessed them and allowed them to worship him at Kedarnath. 

The best place to stay in Kedarnath are hotels and dharamshala, but they are always booked in advance. Kedarnath is a strictly vegetarian place and consumption of alcohol is prohibited here. There are few restaurants or dhabas, on the way leading up to the holy temple, which is open from 4 am to midnight and serve basic Indian food.

Near shiva temple, there are some other places like Chorabari Tal, Gauri Kund and Adi Shankaracharya temple. Chorabari Tal is a lake that shows the reflections of the gigantic Himalayan peaks. it is also known as Gandhi Sarovar. Shankaracharya temple is a temple of Adi Shankaracharya who was a great scholar and a saint who established four sacred dhams in India.t the age of thirty-two he merged in the land near the Kedarnath temple to attain moksha.