KedarnathTravel Guide

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and holiest Shiva shrines in India, this stone temple sits at 11,755 feet against a backdrop of glaciated peaks — the spiritual culmination of the trek.

The 16-18km pilgrimage trail to Kedarnath begins here, passable on foot, pony, or palanquin, climbing steadily through pine forest and mountain villages.

A small temple dedicated to Bhairav, guardian deity of Kedarnath, perched on a ridge above the main temple with sweeping views of the valley below.

The glacier-fed Mandakini river carves through this dramatic valley, with viewpoints along the trek offering some of the most striking Himalayan scenery in Garhwal.

The roadhead town where most pilgrims begin their journey, with the sacred confluence of the Mandakini and Son Ganga rivers and the last point reachable by vehicle.

A high-altitude glacial lake at over 14,000 feet, reached via a steep side trek from Kedarnath, offering close-up views of the Chaukhamba peaks reflected in turquoise water.

A small glacial lake above Kedarnath where some of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed — a short but steep climb rewarded with stark, high-altitude scenery.

An ancient temple believed to mark the site of Shiva and Parvati's divine wedding, with an eternal flame said to have burned since that time — a peaceful detour off the main trek route.

A memorial behind the main temple marking where the 8th-century philosopher-saint is believed to have attained samadhi after reviving the Kedarnath shrine.

Natural sulphur hot springs at the trek's starting point, traditionally used by pilgrims for a ritual bath before beginning the climb to Kedarnath.