Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Significance
Situated at 3,583 meters altitude in the Himalayas, this is one of the highest Jyotirlingas and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. The temple sits against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks and survived the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods while everything around was destroyed — a miracle attributed to divine protection.
Legend & Story
Believed to be built by the Pandavas and later restored by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The temple is built of large stone slabs and has withstood centuries of extreme weather. During the 2013 floods, a massive boulder lodged itself behind the temple, diverting the floodwaters — the temple remained intact while the entire town was destroyed.
Architecture
Darshan Timings
6:00 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM (during season)
How to Reach
Air: Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun (DED), 240 km. Helicopter services available from Phata/Guptkashi.
Rail: Rishikesh or Haridwar — then road to Gaurikund (200+ km) — then 16 km trek/pony/helicopter.
Road: 16 km trek from Gaurikund (6-8 hours). Pony, palki (palanquin), or helicopter available.