Kedarnath Temple To Open Gates For Visitors On May 9 This Year!

One of the most sacred and revered pilgrimage sites in the country, Kedarnath temple is all set to open its gates for visitors on May 9, 2019. Here are all the details you would need to plan your yatra this year. By Kumar Shree

Located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath temple sits amidst the mighty expanse of Himalayas. One of the four Chardham Yatra destinations in India, the high altitude and the absence of any motorable roads, makes it one of the most difficult pilgrimage sites. Kedarnath is located at the farthest and at the highest point among all the jyotirlingas.

View this post on Instagram

K E D A R N A T H ???? हिमालय की गोद में विराजमान महादेव का अद्भुत धाम ???? बर्फीले पर्वतों पर बिखरी सूर्य की किरणें मानो महादेव के धाम का श्रृंगार कर रही हों. केदारनाथ धाम का यह दृश्य स्वर्ग के समान है. . . केदारनाथ घाटी में 13वीं से 17वीं शताब्दी तक यानी 400 साल तक एक छोटा हिमयुग आया था जिसमें केदारनाथ मंदिर समेत हिमालय का एक बड़ा क्षेत्र बर्फ के अंदर दब गया था। महादेव का धाम 400 साल तक बर्फ में दबा रहा लेकिन फिर भी इस मंदिर को कुछ नहीं हुआ. . . केदारनाथ को हिन्दुओं के पवित्रतम स्थानों यानी चार धामों में से एक माना जाता है और धार्मिक ग्रंथों में उल्लिखित बारह ज्योतिर्लिंगों में से सबसे ऊँचा ज्योतिर्लिंग यहीं पर स्थित है. मन्दिर के पास से ही मन्दाकिनी नदी बहती है. मन्दिर अत्यंत प्राचीन है और इसे एक चतुर्भुजाकार आधार पर पत्थर की बड़ी-बड़ी पट्टिओं से बनाया गया है. इसमें गर्भगृह की ओर ले जाती सीढ़ियों पर पाली भाषा के शिलालेख भी देखने को मिलते हैं. . . An illustrious and renowned part of the Char-Dham pilgrimage, Kedarnath Temple is one of those eminent temples sited at a great altitude and draws countless pilgrims from all around India as well as the world. The panoramas and peaks are just awe-inspiring and the blissful aura of temple engulfs you once you enter the premises of this holy shrine. Kedar is believed to the name of the Lord Shiva and it was constructed in 8th Century A.D. over employing numerous stones on a huge rectangular platform. . . ????हर हर महादेव???? Follow us @ukdevonkibhumi Join us @ukdevonkibhumi By @unknown_traveller7 #kedarnath #kedarnathdham #kedarnathtemple #hindupilgrim #hindutemple #lordshiva #shivatemple #hinduism #hindutva #ancienttemple #ancientculture #Indianculture #devbhoomiuttarakhand #devbhoomi #uttarakhandtemple #ukdevonkibhumi #hindugods #himalayas #ukdevonkibhumi #hindudharma #hindureligion #UttarakhandBeauty #himalayas #exploretemples #hindudharma #temples #hindutva ????

A post shared by UttarakhanD "देवों की भूमि" (@ukdevonkibhumi) on Feb 18, 2019 at 5:43am PST

The altitude of 3,583 m above sea level, the extreme weather conditions and the unavailability of any other option except a 14-km trek to Gaurikund makes it one of the most difficult shrines for worshipers. The weather conditions are so unpredictable and extreme that it allows the temple to remain open for only six months in a year.

View this post on Instagram

Photo by @pandurangasharmab1902 Special post on a Special day – 18 years ago on this day Uttarakhand becomes the 27th Indian state. Every year 9th November is celebrated as the "Uttarakhand Formation day" – This year on this exact day the doors of the holiest shrine of Kedarnath has been closed due to the heavy snowfall. The temple will be closed for the next six months due to severe snowfall as it'll be difficult to access to the temple. The idols of the temple will be carried to Ukhimath near Gupta Kashi until next year's Akshaya Thritiya. – The entire area of Kedarnath is a part of Chorabari glacier. Kedarnath temple is surrounded by mountains from three sides. On one side is the 22,000 feet high Kedarnth, while Kharchkund, which is 21,600 feet high, is on the other side and on the third side is the 22,700 feet Bharatkund. According to the legend the area also has five rivers Mandakini, Madhuganga, Chhirganga, Saraswati and Swarndari but some of them are mythical. But Mandakini rules the Kedarnath area and there is heavy snow in winter and plenty of water during the rainy season. So the believers kept in mind that in Hindu religion Shiva, to whom Kedarnath is dedicated, is a not only a saviour but also a destroyer. So the entire temple complex and the area was built in such a way that the shrine would be able to survive natural disasters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #kedarnath #kedarnathtemple #shiva #lordshiva #harharmahadevॐ #omnamahshivaya #bholenath #himalayas #himalayangeographic #snowcapped #uttarakhand #uttarakhanddiaries #uttarakhandheaven #uttarakhandpictures #mytraveldiaries #wanderlust #igers #gotravel #india #incredibleindia #wanderersofindia #wahhindia #indiaclicks #indiaview #_coi #storiesofindia @pandurangasharmab1902

A post shared by Uttarakhand????????Pictures (@uttarakhandpictures) on Nov 9, 2018 at 9:13pm PST

For old-age devotees, who face difficulty in scaling the 14-km trek, other options like horse rides and even helicopters are available. Opting for the helicopter will definitely make it easier, but it comes at a cost. You will lose this once in a lifetime chance of witnessing the natural beauty in this part, as only those who opt for the trekking or horse options, get to witness the most breathtaking and ethereal views along the way.

View this post on Instagram

अगर कहीं स्वर्ग है, तो वो यहीं है ???? Spectacular view of Kedarnath temple ???? . . हिन्दुओं के चार धामों में से एक है केदारनाथ धाम जो कि प्रकृति की खूबसूरत वादियों से घिरा हुआ है। यूँ तो केदारनाथ धाम आस्था का बहुत विशाल पवित्र स्थल है परन्तु इसकी आसपास की खूबसूरती भी पर्यटकों को अपनी और आकर्षित करने से पीछे नहीं रहती। यहाँ का शांत वातावरण भगवान के प्रेम में डूबे श्रद्धालु और प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य किसी चमत्कार से कम नहीं लगता है। यहाँ मंदिर की खूबसूरत कलात्मक शैली, भक्तों कीआस्थाएं, पर्वतों पर बिखरी रूईनुमा बर्फ, हसीन वादियों में तेज़ हवाओं के झौंके, मंदाकिनी नदी का तेज़ बहाव, कल कल करता पानी का शोर आदि को यहाँ आकर भली भाँती देख सकते हैं। . . Follow us ???? @ukdevonkibhumi #kedarnath #kedarnathdham #kedarnathtemple #hindupilgrim #hindutemple #lordshiva #shivatemple #hinduism #hindutva #ancienttemple #ancientculture #Indianculture #devbhoomiuttarakhand #devbhoomi #uttarakhandtemple #ukdevonkibhumi #hindugods #himalayas

A post shared by UttarakhanD "देवों की भूमि" (@ukdevonkibhumi) on Jan 2, 2019 at 7:38pm PST

The Lord Shiva temple will open after a gap of few months and the kapat will open for visitors and devotees on May 9, 2019, at 5:35 am. While the opening date and time have been decided, the closing date and time are yet to be decided. It will depend on multiple factors and the climate conditions at large.

View this post on Instagram

आसमान को चूमते हुए बर्फीले पर्वत, कल-कल बहती मंदाकिनी नदी और इनके बीच में विराजमान है महादेव का धाम, इस दिव्य दृश्य से भव्य कुछ भी नहीं ???? . ???? हर हर महादेव ???? The air, the colors, the way the sunlight touches your skin in the cold morning, the feel of a whole different world that you are in, and the aura of this temple, you just feel it all ! Thats Kedarnath for you ❣️ . Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, Kedarnath Temple is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindu community. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva! . With the majestic backdrop of the lower Himalayas, Kedarnath is bestowed with some of the wonderful vistas of nature. it is also one amongst the four major sites in 'Chota Char Dham' pilgrimage of the Northern Himalayas. Follow us @ukdevonkibhumi Join us @ukdevonkibhumi Amazing click by @piyush_tanpure #kedarnath #kedarnathdham #kedarnathtemple #hindupilgrim #hindutemple #lordshiva #shivatemple #hinduism #hindutva #ancienttemple #ancientculture #Indianculture #devbhoomiuttarakhand #devbhoomi #uttarakhandtemple #ukdevonkibhumi #hindugods #himalayas #ukdevonkibhumi #hindudharma #hindureligion #UttarakhandBeauty #himalayas

A post shared by UttarakhanD "देवों की भूमि" (@ukdevonkibhumi) on Mar 14, 2019 at 6:50am PDT

As long as there is time, plan your trip and go ahead.

Related: Top 4 Cafes In Dehradun You Need To Try Out On Your Next Visit