Kedarnath is a town known for its beautiful temples and shrines. Kedarnath Temple is situated here, one of India’s most popular temples, and devotees wait the entire winter to visit their favorite religious place. It is so ancient that there is no information on exactly when the temple was constructed. It is considered a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of the Char Dham Pilgrimage (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri) due to people’s faith in these religious sites and all that it has offered them in return, peace of mind and trust in god. To visit Kedarnath in June is one of the best travel decisions you can make for your spiritual yatra, primarily because of the good weather.
Kedarnath History- The Legend Of Kedarnath
Kedarnath is one of the four main dams of the Hindu pilgrimage, Char Dham. It is located in the state of Uttarakhand amid the majestic peaks of the Himalayas. The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and lies at an elevation of more than 3000 m. The town of Kedarnath is known for the esteemed Kedarnath Temple. It is one of the oldest temples in India, more than a thousand years old, and no one knows when it was constructed. It is a religious place that is most visited, loved and prayed at. Despite being prone to numerous natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc., the temple has stood its ground with the blessings of Lord Shiva. The government and the locals have volunteered to repair the damages in and around the temple. It is also said that Nara and Narayan used to meditate in Kedarnath for several years, and Lord Shiva became so impressed by them that he allowed them to make the temple their permanent dwelling.
According to legend, the Pandavas built the Kedarnath temple during Mahabharat to make amends for their sins. Lord Shiva changed his form into that of a bull and disappeared into the ground under Kedarnath, which is where the temple was built. The Shiva ling inside is believed to have been created through natural elements: earth, fire, water, and air. Its rich history and religious significance attract devotees who come to worship their beloved Lord Shiva.
Must Read: Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Location And Timings In June
Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India at an altitude of 11,755 ft in the Himalayas. It is quite close to Chorabari Glacier, the source of River Mandakini. Devotees can come here for darshan between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. During Summer, the Kedarnath Temple reopens on 10 May at 7 a.m. and closes in November. Due to harsh snowfall, the temple remains closed for the rest of the winter.
Kedarnath Activities In June
Visitors and tourists in Kedarnath spend their major time taking darshans at the numerous temples and shrines throughout the town. They like to delve into the spiritual history of the place. The Rudra Meditation Cave is an underground cave maintained by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas that can accommodate only one person at a time. The cave offers many facilities, like a bed, washroom, heater, and network connectivity.
Trekking and camping are very popular here due to Kedarnath’s high terrain. Kedarnath Temple has a long and exciting hike before it, and you can enjoy walking, taking a porter, or going palki. Diwali is celebrated with vigour and enthusiasm in the town of Kedarnath. People decorate the town and temple with flowers, lamps and rangolis. Many famous people also visit the temple during this time. The experience of being part of Kedarnath’s Diwali will surely prove very enjoyable for you.
Suggested Read: Kedarnath In August
Places To Visit Near Kedarnath
Agastyamuni—Augastyamuni is a small town on the banks of the River Mandakini, 10 miles from Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. It is named after the Hindu yogi Siddhar Agastya, who was one of the Saptrishis. Another temple dedicated to Maharshi Priya Ranjan is about 72 km from Kedarnath. The Pawan Hans helicopter services have a base with great transport facilities to and from Kedarnath Temple. Many times a year, the town organises a huge fair during Baisakhi, where devotees come to pay homage to Lord Shiva. Fishing is also a widespread activity by the River Mandakini.
1. Chandrashila
Chandrashila is a high summit above the popular Tungnath temple in Uttarakhand. It means “Moon Rock ”. It is located at an altitude of about 12,110 ft above sea level. This peak boasts of scenic views of the Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, Kedar Peak, Chaukhamba, Trisul and Bandarpunch peaks. There are many legends associated with this particular place. According to one of the legends, Lord Rama meditated here after he defeated the Sri Lanka King Ravana. It is also believed that the Chandra (moon god) spent his time in penance here. Chandrashila treks are among the most sought-after among trekking enthusiasts. The trek to the peak is about 5 km long. The route begins at Chopta and ends at Tungnath.
2. Guptakashi
Guptakashi is a comparatively large town situated at a height of 4,327 ft in the Kedar-khanda in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It is famous for its ancient Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, like the one in Varanasi. Another beautiful and popular temple here is dedicated to Ardhanareshvara. Guptakashi comes from the Pandavas’ time in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. It is also said that Lord Shiva proposed to Goddess Parvati here in Guptakashi before they got married in Triyuginarayan. However, the old route from Gauri Kund that led to Kedarnath was completely destroyed during the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, and a new road of about 16 km was constructed by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The main temple in Guptakashi is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is named Vishwanath.
Suggested Read: Hotels In Kedarnath
3. Gauri Kund
Gauri Kund is a popular Hindu pilgrimage spot and a trekking base camp towards Kedarnath temple. Situated in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas, about 6502 ft above sea level, Gauri is believed to have meditated for years to win over Shiva. Gauri Kund is the same place where she lived while carrying out several yogic practices. This particular spot is also known for the legendary story of how when Goddess Parvati was bathing and Ganesh stood outside, guarding, Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head, which was then replaced with that of an elephant. Devotees come here in remembrance of their gods and goddesses.
Kedarnath Travel Route In June- How To Reach
By Air—Jolly Grant Airport in Uttarakhand is 238 km away. Helicopter services are also available at Kedarnath.
By Road – Buses, private cars and taxis are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand like Rishikesh, Pauri, Dehradun, Haridwar, Srinagar, Tehri, Uttarkashi, etc.
By Train – Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest one to Kedarnath. It is located 216 km through NH58 before the town of Kedarnath.
Further Read: Places To Visit In Uttarakhand
Now that you have a perfectly curated guide of everything you need to know about the town of Kedarnath during the summers, it is time to plan for this divine destination and finally fulfil your travel wishes. Don’t be late to book your tickets for your next big trip to Kedarnath!
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Source: Shutterstock
Frequently Asked Questions About Kedarnath In June
What's the average temperature in Kedarnath?
The average temperature in Kedarnath ranges from 17 - 30 degree Celsius.
What precautions should be taken while travelling to Kedarnath in June?
Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water. Taking care of one’s health on high, difficult terrains is crucial so do not compromise on food and always keep an oxygen bottle with yourself. They are available at the summit of Kedarnath temple.
What to wear in Kedarnath?
During summers, carry lightweight clothing, good-quality shoes that can help during trekking, sunglasses, and sunscreen. If you are not used to this dip in temperatures, you can also wear some light woollens and inners to keep you warm.
What's the best time to visit Kedarnath?
The best time to visit Kedarnath is between March and October, after which the main temple is shut and the town is covered in snow due to harsh climatic conditions.
Is there good accommodation available in Kedarnath?
There are a lot of homestays, lodges and hotels where you can stay in. Ensure you bargain with them for a good price, and don’t get caught up with touts who will offer to take you to a place to stay.
People Also Read:
Kedarnath In Winter Kedarnath In Summer Places Near Kedarnath
