Darshan timings at Kedarnath
| Season | Opens | Darshan | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (open season) | approx 4:00 AM | Maha Abhishek from 4:00 AM; general darshan approx 6:00-7:00 AM | approx 3:00 PM | Open |
| Evening (open season) | approx 5:00 PM | Evening darshan and Shayan Aarti | approx 9:00 PM | Open |
| Winter (approx Nov to Apr) | Closed | Deity worshipped at Ukhimath (Omkareshwar Temple) | Closed | Open |
Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →
How to reach Kedarnath Temple
There is no direct road, rail or airstrip at Kedarnath. Every route funnels to Gaurikund, the last motorable point, followed by a 16 km climb. Chopper services from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi shorten the walk to a short air hop plus a few hundred metres.
| Mode | Point | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun | approx 238 km to the road-head | Nearest airport; taxi onward to Guptkashi/Sonprayag, then Gaurikund. Helicopters run from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi helipads to Kedarnath in season. |
| Rail | Rishikesh railway station | approx 216 km from Gaurikund | Nearest convenient railhead. Haridwar (approx 242 km) and Dehradun (approx 270 km) are alternatives with more trains. |
| Road | Gaurikund via Sonprayag | Sonprayag to Gaurikund approx 5 km | Private vehicles must park at Sonprayag; shared jeeps cover the last 5 km to Gaurikund, where the trek begins. |
| Trek | Gaurikund to Kedarnath | approx 16 km on foot | Steady climb via Jungle Chatti, Bhimbali and Linchauli. Ponies, palki and porters available; allow 6-8 hours. |
Puja & aarti schedule
- Kapat opens; Maha Abhishek and morning puja beginapprox 4:00 AM
- General darshan opens after the morning ritualsapprox 6:00-7:00 AM
- Ghee abhishek and physical touch of the lingam permitteduntil approx 3:00 PM
- Temple reopens for evening darshanapprox 5:00 PM
- Shayan Aarti; the deity is decorated and put to restapprox 6:00-7:30 PM
Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →
Dress code & temple rules
Dress warm above all: temperatures near the temple can fall to single digits or below even in summer, and the pre-dawn Maha Abhishek is bitterly cold.
Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; avoid shorts and revealing outfits inside the temple.
Carry sturdy waterproof trekking shoes for the 16 km path, plus a raincoat or poncho as weather turns fast.
There is no bar on foreign or non-Hindu visitors at the sanctum, but follow the priests' instructions on where non-ritual visitors may stand.
Remove footwear and leather items before entering; keep the sanctum queue orderly as the darshan window is short.
Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →
Best time to visit & festivals
Kedarnath is only open roughly May to October/November. The sweet spots are the weeks just after opening and again in early autumn, when skies are clear and the trail is stable. The monsoon brings landslides and is best avoided.
| Festival | When | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Kapat opening (temple reopening) | Late April or early May (2026: 22 April) | The doors reopen after winter and the deity returns from Ukhimath; the first darshan of the season draws huge crowds. Peak |
| Maha Shivratri | February (celebrated at Ukhimath while Kedarnath is snowbound) | Shiva's great night; the exact Kedarnath opening date for the coming season is traditionally announced now. |
| Shravan (Sawan) month | July to August | The holiest month for Shiva; special Rudrabhishek and offerings, though it overlaps the risky monsoon. |
| Badri-Kedar Utsav | June | An eight-day cultural festival celebrating the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines with music and dance. |
| Kapat closing (Bhai Dooj) | October or November (around Bhai Dooj) | The doors close for winter and the palanquin carries the deity down to Ukhimath; an emotional final darshan. Peak |
Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →
Nearby temples & tirths
Badrinath
The Vishnu Char Dham that pairs with Kedarnath on the classic circuit
Gangotri
Source shrine of the Ganga, third of the Uttarakhand Char Dham
Yamunotri
Source shrine of the Yamuna and the usual first stop of the Char Dham
Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →
Where to stay
Most pilgrims sleep at Kedarnath base itself in the GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) tented colony and cottages, plus private lodges, ashram dharamshalas and a large seasonal tent city that together hold well over a thousand people; rooms are basic and book out fast in season, so reserve GMVN online in advance. Many break the journey lower down at Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Guptkashi, Phata or Sitapur, which have more hotels and are the pick-up points for helicopter and pony services. Nights are cold and power and network are patchy, so carry warm layers and cash.
Frequently asked questions
Kedarnath temple timings today
Nearest railway station to Kedarnath
Is Kedarnath open in winter (December to April)
How long is the Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund
What is the nearest airport to Kedarnath
Compiled from public sources including euttaranchal.com - Kedarnath opening/closing dates 2026 · WanderOn - How to Reach Kedarnath · Rudraprayag District (Govt of Uttarakhand) - Kedarnath Yatra · euttaranchal.com - Kedarnath tourism. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.