Welcome to the Sanctum
Kedarnath is a Himalayan temple dedicated to Shiva, believed to have been established by the Pandavas. It stands at 3,583 metres and is open only from April/May to November.
— ॐ नमः शिवाय —
Heritage
The story carved into stone, copper, and prayer.
Records of Kedarnath Temple stretch back through dynasties, royal endowments, and faithful priesthoods. Today the temple stands as both a working place of worship and a living monument to the devotion of those who built it.
Sacred Offerings
Offerings performed by ordained priests under the guidance of vedic tradition — for every milestone of life.
₹4,500
The pilgrim is allowed inside the sanctum to perform abhishekam directly on the Jyotirlinga — only available at this Jyotirlinga.
₹600
Morning aarti — ghee, honey and forest flowers from the Mandakini valley are offered.
₹1,200
Vedic Rudrabhishekam at 11,755 feet — performed by the temple priests amidst the sound of bell and conch.
₹400
Twilight worship — the entire valley falls silent as the priest waves the lit aarti before the conical Jyotirlinga.
₹400
Final aarti — sanctum closes for the night and the Lord is given vibhuti shringar.
Daily Worship
Open every day of the week. Each hour carries its own fragrance, its own prayer.
Sacred Calendar
Days that turn the temple into a constellation of light, music, and shared prayer.
Sanctum opens after winter — palanquin returns from Ukhimath in a procession of devotees, traditional bands and saffron flags.
Even though the kapats are closed, vedic abhishekam is performed at Ukhimath where the Lord winters — full traditional honours.
Mondays of the holy Shravan month see thousands trekking 16km from Gaurikund to perform Jalabhishek with Mandakini water.
Sanctum closes for the winter — the Lord's palanquin is escorted to Ukhimath for six months of pujas in the lower valley.
Sacred Moments
A visual pilgrimage — captured in the soft light of dusk and the gold of dawn.
Devotee Voices
Words from those whose lives were touched within these walls.
16 kilometres on foot. Each step a mantra. When the ancient stone shrine first appeared through the mist, I forgot every ache.
I survived the 2013 floods because I had just left the sanctum. Mahadev decides who climbs back, and who stays.
When the Bhairav stone is touched at dawn — twelve thousand feet up — you do not seek anything. You simply cannot want anymore.
Plan Your Visit
Address: Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, India
