The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered temples in Hinduism and is part of the Char Dham Yatra. Tradition holds that the current temple was resurrected and instituted in the 8th century by the eminent philosopher and reformer Adi Shankaracharya. He played a pivotal role in unifying and preserving India’s spirituality, and his samadhi (final resting site) is located just behind the temple.
Kedarnath is remarkable in architecture. The temple is comprised of big stones cut from the nearby mountains and sits on a similarly large rectangular platform. Despite the tendency for landslides to occur in the earthquake-prone region, it has been perfectly assembled and still survives almost perfectly intact after so many years. It is a testament to the wisdom and craftsmanship of early Indian artisans.
The best time to go kedarnath​, Uttarakhand, India, is when the temple is officially opened, with stable weather (clear skies), safe trekking paths, and plenty of serene spiritual energy to allow the devotee to identify the divine energy and spectacular Himalayan environment.
Pilgrims’ traffic as per season
Aug-Oct- is Moderate Season
Flights Landing Locations Near the Kedarnath Temple
The nearest airport to Kedarnath Temple is Jolly Grant Airport (DED), situated in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. This airport is not located near Kedarnath, but it is where you will arrive. From Dehradun, you will need to complete some roadway transport and then trek (Kedarnath is in the mountains away from the capital of uttarakhand Rishikesh and Haridwar, and there are no roads leading up to Kedarnath).
Here’s how you can travel:
Jolly Grant Airport (DED)—Dehradun:
There are helicopter services from Phata or Sersi, which are further from Kedarnath but offer a much shorter journey compared to trekking.
- Pantnagar Airport (PGH): Located near Nainital, but it’s farther away than Jolly Grant Airport.
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi: It’s a major airport that serves as an international gateway to India. From Delhi, you can take a flight to Dehradun or take a train or bus to the region.
The most popular and convenient option remains flying into Jolly Grant Airport and then taking a combination of road travel and trekking or using the helicopter services to reach Kedarnath Temple.
Going to Kedarnath is more than a trip. It is a divine experience that merges faith with the incomparable natural beauty of the Himalayas. The Kedarnath Temple is such a temple rich in historical and religious significance, and a deep and perennial space must be cultivated if one wishes to enjoy its quiet and energy as the wish of a man’s household kinsman echoes in time. With that in mind, the duration of your traveling schedule during non-crowded times, such as the early summer months or post-monsoon season, is worth the effort to avoid large crowds and two- to three-hour waits in certain instances.
The helicopter travel is just a quick and unique adventure with brilliant views of natural beauty that are truly breathtaking. The experience of being in or traversing this beauty is unforgettable, with added excitement. That being said, also stay very current on any possible delays due to unexpected weather. Ultimately, Kedarnath is not just a journey and pilgrimage. It is an experience that can leave any visitor with a beautiful peace that is complemented and surrounded by something so grand from nature.
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