Places to Visit in Kedarnath

Kedarnath is one of the top Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. The temple is one of the Char Dham Yatra places in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is one of the Panch Kedar shivling. It is the most famous shiva temple in India, and it is also one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of India.

Kedarnath is located in the backdrop of snow-clad mountain peaks and Himalayan glaciers. It is a temple with a huge mythological significance. Folk stories are told since mythological times about this famous temple. If you are making a plan to visit Kedarnath, then book any of our Char Dham Yatra Tour Packages. You can make plans and visit these best Kedarnath tourist places.

1. Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple is the most famous attraction of Kedarnath. This Shiva temple is one of the oldest temples in India and is believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas. Kedarnath Temple opens for darshan from May to November. Mandakini River flows near Kedarnath Temple and the Chorabari glacier forms a scenic backdrop.

2. Bhairavnath Temple

Lord Bhairav is the chief deity of Bhairavnath Temple, and this temple is very close to Kedarnath Temple. Lord Bhairav is the fierce incarnation of Lord Shiva and is the protector of Kedarnath Temple. Pilgrims to Kedarnath Temple also visit this temple. Tourists get to see magnificent scenery from this temple.

3. Vasuki Tal

Vasuki Tal is a high-altitude glacial lake in Kedarnath. Hindu mythology states that Lord Vishnu bathes at Vasuki Tal. You can reach Vasuki Tal after an easy trek from Gaurikund. Vasuki Tal is famous for its scenic surroundings and crystal clear waters. You can spot the famous Brahma Kamal blooming near Vasuki Tal if you are lucky.

4. Sonprayag

Sonprayag is one of the most scenic places you can visit near Kedarnath. The place where rivers Basuki and Mandakini meet. The famous Triyuginarayan Temple is near Sonprayag. You can bathe at Sonprayag as it is considered to be very holy and washes away the sins of a person.

5. Rudra Meditation Cave

Just 1 km from Kedarnath, the Rudra Meditation Cave is an underground cave where tourists can do meditation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came here and meditated here in this cave in 2019. Only one person can stay here, and there is a washroom, bed, geyser, attendant, and food. You can see Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar Temples from this cave.

6. Shankaracharya Samadhi

Adi Shankaracharya, the famous saint of India, spent his last days here at Kedarnath. Shankaracharya Samadhi is a shrine that is built to honor this great saint. This place is right behind Kedarnath Temple. A hot spring here is said to have been created by the saint himself. The spatika lingam inside is believed to cure one of the negative energies and serious illnesses.

7. Triyuginarayan Temple

Triyuginarayan Temple is the temple which was built at the place where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. There is a stone called Brahma Shila, which is a testimony of this wedding. There is an eternal flame called Akhand dhuni which has been burning ever since the time of this marriage. Saraswati Kund is in the temple. The water in this kund is thought to have sprung from the navel of Lord Vishnu.

8. Gaurikund

Gaurikund is near Kedarnath and you can trek 16 km from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath. It is a hot water thermal spring where you can bathe and refresh yourself. Gaurikund is the place where Goddess Parvati meditated to marry Lord Shiva. Gaurikund is also the place where Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha.

9. Guptakashi

Guptakashi is a small town that falls on the route to Kedarnath. Vishwanath Temple and Ardhnareshwar Temple are famous temples in Guptkashi that are dedicated to different forms of Lord Shiva. Manikarnika Kund is a water tank where it is believed that river streams of Ganga and Yamuna meet.

10. Chorabari Tal

Chorabari Tal is a lake near Kedarnath Temple. Hindus believe that Lord Shiva imparted Yoga sermons to Saptrishis here at Chorabari Lake. Chorabari Lake was formed by the icy cold waters of the Chorabari Bamak glacier. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed here, and it is also called Gandhi Lake.

11. Tungnath Temple

Tungnath Temple is a 1000-year-old Shiva temple in Kedarnath. This temple is a famous temple in Uttarakhand and part of the Panch Kedar Yatra. Tungnath Temple was built by the Pandavas and Adi Shankaracharya discovered it later on. The architecture of Tungnath Temple is very ancient and is a wonderful sight.

12. Rudranath Temple

Another famous Panch Kedar temple devoted to Lord Shiva is Rudranath Temple. It is also a famous temple near Kedarnath. There are many water tanks near the temple where you can have a dip. The shiv linga here is shaped like the head of Lord Shiva.

13. Madhyamaheshwar Temple

Madhyamaheshwar Temple is a very famous temple close to Kedarnath Temple. This is one of the Panch Kedar temples in Kedarnath. The temple architecture is very ancient and Bheema, one of the Pandava brothers built this temple. The middle or belly portion of the bull, a divine form of Lord Shiva, is worshipped here.

14. Kalpeshwar Temple

Kalpeshwar Temple is a Shiva temple that is open throughout the year. It is part of the Panch Kedar tourist circuit. There is a Kalpavriksha tree in the temple, and it is believed that the tree fulfills the wishes of a person. You can trek to Joshimath from Kalpeshwar Temple and also see nearby temples like Dhyan Badri and Budha Kedar.

15. Ukhimath

Ukhimath is one of the most scenic towns near Kedarnath. Banasur’s daughter Usha and grandson of Lord Krishna, Aniruddha got married here. Omkareshwar Temple is famous in Ukhimath. Ukhimath is also the winter abode of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar.

16. Agastmuni

Agastmuni is a small town situated on the banks of the Mandakini River. The temple of Agasteshwar Mahadev is built at the place, where the great sage Rishi Agastya meditated for many years. Agastmuni falls on the way to Kedarnath.

17. Deoria Taal

Deoria Taal is a high-altitude lake near Kedarnath. Hindus believe that this is the same lake where Yaksha asked questions to the Pandavas. This lake is also famous among Hindus who believe that devas visit this lake for bathing. Deoria Taal offers scenic views of the Nilkanth, Bandarpoonch, and Kedar mountain ranges.

18. Chandrashila trek

The trek to Chandrashila peak is one of the most famous treks in Kedarnath. Chandrashila Peak is a Himalayan mountain peak that can be seen from Kedarnath. It is here at Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva to atone for his sin of killing a demon. You can come across Tungnath Temple, Deoria Tal, Chopta on this trek.

19. Mayali Pass Trek

Another famous trek that you can take in Kedarnath is the Mayali Pass trek. The trek is best as you can come across nomadic villages and Himalayan rivers. You can see Bhilangana Valley, Masar Tal, Vasuki Tal, Khatling glacier, Thalay Sagar peak, Gangi village on this trek.

20. Phata

Phata comes on the road to Kedarnath. It is a small village that has a helipad. The helicopter ride from Phata to Kedarnath is only 8 minutes. You can stay in Phata overnight during your Char Dham Yatra trip. Pilgrims to Kedarnath darshan can stay here and find restaurants where they can refresh themselves.

21. Syalsaur

Syalsaur comes on the way to Kedarnath and is a beautiful hill station. You can see the Mandakini river flow through Syalsaur, and many birds can also be seen here. Not many know of Syalsaur, so you will find peace atmosphere and not many tourists also.