Kedarnath – A name that gives sigh of relief by just hearing the name. Imagine the aura when you will arrive here. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and most revered temples of Lord Shiva for Hindus and Lord Shiva devotees. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, this temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every year especially during the Char Dham Yatra which will begin on 30th April this year. If you are an adhere devotee planning a visit to Kedarnath from Delhi, this blog will guide you with all the best travel options, routes and useful tips that might help you.
What is the Distance Between Delhi to Kedarnath?
The distance between Delhi and Kedarnath is approximately 452 kilometers by road to Gaurikund and from there you need to do a 16 to 18 kilometers trek which takes about 6 to 10 hours approximately to reach Kedarnath. If you are travelling by train, you will need to go to Haridwar or Rishikesh to begin the yatra and continue to Sonprayag and Gaurikund and from there you will trek to Kedarnath.
Gaurikund trek is difficult but there are several options available, you can walk all the way to the temple or hire a pony which might cost you around Rs 2000 to Rs 3500 for one way or palanquin (Palki) which might cost you Rs 3500 to Rs 5000 for one way.
Note: Prices fluctuate as per the season and demand. Negotiate the price and confirm from various service providers before booking.
Darshan and Aarti Timings of the Kedarnath Temple
Opening timing of the temple is 04:00 am and closing timings are 09:00 pm.
Morning Darshan Timings are 04:00 am to 03:00 pm and Evening Darshan Timings are 05:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Morning or Maha Abhishesk Aarti begins at 04:00 am. For Maha Abhishek, pre-booking of the tickets is necessary. This ritual is done by pouring Milk, Ghee, Sugar and Honey on the Shivling.
Evening Aarti begins at 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm
Tips: Visit the temple early in the morning to avoid crowds and the long queue. Keep your phone and leather products in a safe location as it is not allowed to take them inside the temple. Be sure to dress modestly and abide by the temple rules honestly.
What are the Best Ways to Reach Kedarnath from Delhi?
By Car/Cab
Those who prefer long road journeys can opt to travel by car or hire a Delhi to Kedarnath taxi. From Delhi, you will drive to Ghaziabad to Sonprayag by crossing major cities, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi.
And Take a shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund which might cost between Rs 30 to Rs 50.
Cab Fare: Hiring a cab might cost you around Rs 6500 to Rs 19455 depending on the car type and services you choose. Hatchback prices start at Rs 7,812 while SUVs might cost around Rs 19,455.
Note: These are just estimated prices gathered from various sources, do not make any decision based on the mentioned prices.
By Bus
There is no direct bus to kedarnath but you can start your yatra from Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Delhi to Rishikesh or Haridwar: Take a bus from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate to Rishikesha and Haridwar. It takes around 6 to 8 hours to reach there and ticket fare starts from Rs 260 and Rs 320.
Rishikesh or Haridwar to Sonprayag: From there take a bus to sonprayag which takes approximately 8 to 10 hours which the fare ranges between Rs 500 to Rs 800.
Sonprayag to Gaurikund: Take a shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikundwhich costs you Rs 30 to Rs 50.
Gaurikund to Kedarnath: From Gaurdikund, take a 6 to 9 hours of trek by walking, hire a pony or palanquin as per your requirements.
By Tempo Traveller
For group travellers who prefer comfort over anything, opt for a luxury van on rent from premium vehicles like Maharaja Tempo Traveller on rent for the smooth travel experience. Ranging from various seating capacities with legroom and luggage space, travellers are suitable for all sizes of groups.
As Chardham Yatra will begin at the end of this month. Devotees who are planning to take a Chardham Yatra to cover all the four pilgrimage sites, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath can book a Tempo Traveller for Chardham from Delhi to get the maximum level of comfort and best travel experience.
By Flight
As there is no direct flight connected to Kedarnath, continue yatra from Dehradun
Delhi to Dehradun: Take a flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport (DED), Dehradun. Flight ticket starts from Rs 1543. Prices are charged differently as per demand and the flight service, IndiGo, Vistara and Air India and SpiceJet.
Dehradun to Sonprayag: From Dehradun take a bus or taxi. It will take 8 to 10 hours to reach. Taxi fare ranges between Rs 7000 to Rs 9000.
Sonprayag to Gaurikund: Take a shared jeep from Sonprayag to Gaurikund that costs Rs 30 to Rs 50 as mentioned above.
Which are the Best Routes to Take from Delhi to Kedarnath?
Route 1 – Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh
Delhi > Ghaziabad > Khatauli > Muzaffarnagar > Haridwar > Rishikesh > Devprayag > Srinagar > Rudraprayag > Guptkashi > Phata > Sonprayag > Gaurikund
This is common and mostly used by travelers as it takes less time to reach than the other route.
Route 2 – Delhi to Kotdwar and Devprayag
Delhi > Ghaziabad > Khatauli > Najibabad > Kotdwar > Devprayag > Srinagar > Rudraprayag > Guptkashi > Sonprayag > Gaurikund
This route is preferable to those who love long journeys with minimum traffic.
Suggested Read: Delhi to Chardham Yatra by Car
Best Places to Take Stopovers from Delhi to Kedarnath
Here are some best places to take a halt on the route of the kedarnath yatra.
Meerut and Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh: Meerut is famous for its ancient temples and colonial-era architecture while Muzaffarnagar is famous for its local markets and traditional food.
Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand: These two sacred spots are famous for being spiritual hubs of India. You can take a halt in these cities and have a relaxing cup of tea with refreshments.
Devprayag and Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand: These two places are an ideal choice to take a break and have a cup of tea before begin your journey.
What are Some Famous Places to Visit near Kedarnath?
Bhairavnath Temple: Bhairavnath Temple is located 500 meters from Kedarnath Temple. This temple is dedicated to Bhariav Nath who is the guardian of Kedarnath.
Vasuki Tal: To reach there, you need to do a little trek of 8 kilometers from Kedarnath Temple to reach the peak of Chaukhamba.
Chorabari Tal: Chorabari Tal is also known as Gandhi Sarovar. It is located 3 kilometers from kedarnath. It is believed to be the place where Mahatma Gandhi ashes were immersed.
Shankaracharya Samadhi: Shankaracharya Samadhi is located near Kedarnath Temple. He was the great saint who built the kedarnath temple. It is the place where Shankaracharya took samadhi or last few breaths.
Triyuginarayan Temple: Triyuginarayan Temple is located 25 kilometers from Kedarnath. It is the place where Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati got married.
Conclusion
Kedarnath is not just a pilgrimage tour but also a journey passes through the stunning Himalayas. Whether you are a solo traveller, going with your family, or on a group pilgrimage tour, it is better to opt for the suitable mode of journey, routes and halt places for a smooth travel experience.
Group travellers and pilgrims can travel by hiring a Tempo Traveller on Rent in Delhi as per their need for a comfortable journey experience. Find other places that are located near Kedarnath temple to get the most out of your trip.