Kedarnath Yatra 2024 News Update

Kedarnath Yatra Information 2024

Kedarnath temple is one of the sacred pilgrimage centre in Northern India, located on the bank of Mandakini river at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level. The historical name of this region is "Kedar Khand". Kedarnath temple is a part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.

Other Information About Kedarnath Helicopter Yatra 2024

• Kedarnath Helicopter booking is done by helicopter booking official website https://heliservices.uk.gov.in/

• Booking stands confirm only upon realization of full payment and name list of all passengers with age and weight details.

• The booking and ticket is non transferable and any change in name is not permitted.

• All passengers are required to carry and show any of the government ID at helipad.

• Ticket prices are as approved by Government of Uttrakhand and in case of any change in prices or contract the refund / excess will be settled by company or by passenger appropriately.

• Seating of the passengers will depend on the helicopter load / sortie planning. A group may be accommodated in separate shuttles.

• For over weight passengers (more than 80kg), additional charge Rs 150/ kg will be taken.

• For same day return passenger only 1:30 hrs will be given for Kedarnath darshan

• For same day return, passengers wiil have to buy Priority Dharshan slip of INR 2500 approx issued by Shri Kedarnath Ji Mandir Samiti available at helipad.

• Full charge will be taken for above 2 years children. No seat and 10% charge will be taken for infant less than 2 years.

• Priority will be given to children, senior citizen, ladies and two way passengers over one way passengers.

• Each passenger should report at given reporting time.

• Max 3 kg single piece baggage is allowed for passengers

• If in any case flight cancelled for the day, the next day passenger will be given priority over previous day ones.

Overview of Kerdarnath

There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand itself, the most important one is Kedarnath. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own Kith and Kin and sought blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.

On being followed, the Lord dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface at Kedarnath. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms of the Lord appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. The Kedarnath and four above mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar (Panch means Five in Sanskrit).

The Temple at Kedarnath presents an imposing sight, standing in middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks. The temple was originally built in 8th century A.D. by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya and stands adjacent to site of an even earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath temple has exquisite architecture Built of extremely large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones, it evokes wonder as to how these heavy slabs were moved and handled in the earlier centuries. The temple has a Garbha Griha for worship and a Mandap, apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.

Weather of Kerdarnath

Winter (October to April)

Winters has chilly days. Minimum can touch sub zero levels and snowfall is very common. These months are not the perfect time for travelling.

Summer (May to June)

Summer (May to June) are very pleasant with moderately cold climate. Summers is ideal for all sight seeing and the holy Kedarnath pilgrimage.

Monsoon (July to mid-September)

Monsoon (July to mid-September) are accompanied with regular rains and also temperature drops down. The region is prone to occasional landslides and travelling can be difficult.

The holy city of Kedarnath is open for public views from May to October/November but the temple remains closed during the monsoon months as landslides are common.

The region experiences pleasant and cool summer while winters are very chilly and snowfall is a regular occurrence.

How to Reach Kedarnath?

By Flight: Jolly Grant Airport (35 kms from Dehradun) is the nearest Airport to Kedarnath situated at a distance of 235kms. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Gaurikund.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Gaurikund is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 243kms before Gaurikund on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Tehri and many other destinations to Gaurikund.

By Road: Gaurikund is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate New Delhi. Buses and Taxis to Gaurikund are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Tehri etc. Gaurikund is connected with Ghaziabad by National Highway 58.