Where is Kedarnath Jyotirlinga?
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is in the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, at an altitude of about 3,580 metres near the source of the Mandakini river. It is open only for part of the year — usually from spring to around Diwali — and is reached by a trek of roughly 16–18 km from Gaurikund.
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
- Location
- Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district, Garhwal Himalaya
Quick facts
- Altitude
- About 3,580 m
- Season
- Roughly late April/May to October/November; dates announced yearly
- Access
- Trek from Gaurikund; ponies, palanquins and helicopter services also operate
- Also part of
- The Char Dham yatra of Uttarakhand
On this page
Tradition
The season
Snow closes the temple in winter, when worship moves to Ukhimath. Opening and closing dates are announced each year by the temple committee. Registration for the Char Dham yatra is required by the Uttarakhand government.
Safety
The 2013 floods devastated the Kedarnath valley and are a reminder that the Himalaya demand respect. Acclimatise, check weather advisories, carry warm clothing and follow official guidance.
Visiting
Rishikesh and Haridwar are the usual starting points. From Sonprayag, shared vehicles reach Gaurikund, the start of the trek.
See all twelve on our 12 Jyotirlingas of India guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kedarnath open?
Usually from late April or May to around Diwali. Exact dates are announced every year; check official sources.
Is registration required for Kedarnath?
Yes, the Uttarakhand government requires registration for the Char Dham yatra. Check the current process on official sites.
Sources and further reading
We link to primary and authoritative sources. External links open in a new tab.
- Jyotirlinga (encyclopaedia entry with cited references) (opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia — Reference work, checked September 2026
- Char Dham yatra registration (opens in a new tab)
Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board — Government source, checked September 2026
Written and maintained by the KashiVishwanathTemple.net Editorial Team. Last updated . Found an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
Related guides
- 12 JyotirlingasAll 12 Jyotirlingas of India with their locations and states — Somnath to Grishneshwar — plus the traditional hymn, disputed identifications and pilgrimage planning.
- Kashi VishwanathKashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi: what makes it unique among the twelve, the traditions of Kashi and liberation, and how to plan darshan today.
- Jyotirlinga TripHow to plan a Jyotirlinga yatra: grouping the 12 Jyotirlingas into practical regional circuits, seasons to consider, and where Kashi Vishwanath fits.
- JyotirlingaUnderstand the Jyotirlingas: what the term means, the story behind them, all twelve shrines with locations, and where Kashi Vishwanath fits in the tradition.
- BhimashankarBhimashankar Jyotirlinga in the Sahyadri hills of Pune district: its tradition, the source of the Bhima river, the surrounding sanctuary and visiting tips.
- GrishneshwarGrishneshwar (Ghrishneshwar) Jyotirlinga near Ellora in Maharashtra: the Ghushma tradition, the temple rebuilt under Ahilyabai Holkar and tips for visiting.