We all have heard about Kedarnath and Badrinath. The said places are two of the most significant pilgrimage sites in India. They are located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Both Kedarnath and Badrinath hold immense religious as well as cultural importance for Hindus. These pilgrimages are two of the four holy places, also called Char Dham, and the journey is called Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage circuit situated in the Indian Himalayas. The other two Dhams are Gangotri and Yamunotri. Let us learn a bit about each of them.
The holy Kedarnath shrine is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of about 3,583 meters, the Kedarnath Temple is situated in the Kedarnath city and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kedarnath is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in Shaivism. Jyotirlingas are considered to be the holiest shrines in Hinduism dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Kedarnath Shrine is not directly accessible by road to the pilgrims, so they must reach Gaurikund and undertake a trek, about 16 kilometers, to reach the temple. One can also avail of helicopter services that prefer a faster mode of transport.
Badrinath, located in the District of Chamoli, Uttarakhand, is a shrine situated near the Alaknanda River at an elevation of 3,300 meters above sea level. The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Here, lord Vishnu takes the specific form of Badri-Narayan. Badrinath also comes in the list of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. This shrine is also included as one of the 108 Divya Desams, or Sacred Shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
You can reach Badrinath via a well-connected road. Badrinath is accessible to its pilgrims and tourists, but the temple is open for a defined period during the summer months. In winter, the weather conditions can become severe and render the area inaccessible to pilgrims.
Kedarnath and Badrinath, along with two other shrines Gangotri and Yamunotri, constitute the famed and revered Char Dham Yatra. But pilgrims also choose to visit the former two Dhams for salvation. Such pilgrims can embark on the Do Dham Yatra or the Two Shrines Pilgrimage, as a sacred journey to seek spiritual purification.
The Do Dham Yatra is undertaken from west to east, starting with Kedarnath and ending at Badrinath. The Kedarnath and Badrinath Shrines are surrounded by stunning Himalayan landscapes, along with mountain ranges, pristine rivers, as well as serene environments, all of which heighten the spiritual experience of visiting pilgrims.
The Do Dham Yatra is not known for its religious importance. But a person can visit the shrines for their cultural and historical significance as well. People also visit the shrines to witness temples, rituals, and traditions associated with Kedarnath and Badrinath. They are less of devotees but more of tourists from across the country as well as the world.
Kedarnath and Badrinath hold a special place in the hearts of millions of Hindu devotees. These pilgrims undertake the Do Dham Yatra to seek divine blessings. They are in it to experience the spiritual essence of such holy places.
You can begin your Do Dham Yatra from many places. You can opt for the Helicopter service from Dehradun. This is a go-to option for people with tight schedules. You can take a short break to visit the pious Abode of Lord Shiva and Vishnu in the Himalayas.
To start your journey from a metropolitan, you can begin the Do Dham Yatra from Delhi. These services will also entail Helicopter services. We will be discussing the Do Dham Yatra Itinerary from Delhi in the next section. The Do Dham Yatra has always been on the list of religious enthusiasts.
To get a convenient trip for the Do Dham yatra via Helicopter, Heliteerth brings you a tour package with which you can spend a remarkable time at the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. Here the Do Dham Yatra has become one of the most popular packages worth considering. This itinerary includes every detail of the trip along with the comfort & charge applicable from Delhi that you will encounter on your Do Dham yatra.
Starting on the first day, the pilgrims will meet our representative at the Hotel, Airport, or Railway Station. We will dispense some basic information before starting our journey to Haridwar. Upon reaching Haridwar, we will check in to a hotel, in the evening, we will visit Har Ki Pauri for Ganga Aarti. There will be an overnight stay arranged for you at Haridwar.
The next day, after breakfast, we will check out from the hotel, and drive towards Guptkashi, which will enroute through the beautiful river Mandakini and Tilwara. The river comes directly from Kedarnath. We will drive alongside the river to reach Guptkashi, visit Ardh-Narishwar Temple, and later check into a hotel on arrival.
In the morning, the driver will transfer you to your Helipad location. You must inform the driver of helicopter ride timings as mentioned on the ticket the previous day. The driver will provide you with both pick as well as drop at the hotel. Upon arrival in Kedarnath, visit the Kedarnath Temple. After darshan, you must return to the helipad. The driver will pick up you from the helipad on the other end and take you to the hotel.
In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Badrinath, and upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Pilgrims can bathe in the Tapta-Kund of Badrinath Complex. They can do their Darshan of Badri-Vishal & attend Arti in the evening. We will stay overnight at Badrinath.
In the morning, we will enjoy the after breakfast, and then drive for Rudraprayag via Joshimath. You can also visit VishnuPrayag, Narsingh Temple, KarnPrayag, and NandPrayag on the way. Later, we will check into the hotel in Rudraprayag, and stay overnight.
The next morning, we will check out from the hotel, and travel to Rishikesh. On the way, we will visit Dev Prayag, and check in to a Rishikesh hotel. In the evening, we will visit Triveni Ghat for Ganga Aarti, and stay for the night at Rishikesh.
On the last morning of the trip, we will check out from the hotel, and on the way, visit the famous holy bridges, i.e., Laxman Jhula & Ram Jhula along with the Temple-Ashrams in Rishikesh. Later we will drive to Delhi. The tourists will be dropped at the Delhi Hotel, Airport, or Railway Station, as they come.
The best time of year to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi in a tour package in the Summer Season, in the April-June quarter. At this time, the weather backs you. The said quarter is the ideal time to visit Kedarnath as well as Badrinath Temples, i.e., Do Dham, among other highlighted areas.
To reach Kedarnath by train from Delhi, the pilgrim must first board a train from New Delhi Railway Station or the NDLS to the Haridwar Railway Station. Upon reaching Haridwar, you can hire a taxi or even take a bus to Rudraprayag. Upon reaching the Rudraprayag bus stand, the pilgrim can change the bus route from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund, which is the base camp for the main Kedarnath trek.
People can opt for bus services and operators running between Delhi to Badrinath in Uttarakhand. One must carry necessary travel convenience from their house. One can take any of the 205 buses that are fleeting from Delhi to Badrinath.
There are no direct flights from Delhi to any nearest airport to Kedarnath as well as Badrinath. Many Airline Companies run their services between Delhi Airport and Badrinath Temple. But one must understand that there is no direct connection from Delhi Airport to Badrinath Temple. One can only fly to Dehradun and take a taxi from there to Badrinath Temple.
There are various routes from Delhi to Kedarnath. One of the fastest ways to reach from New Delhi to Kedarnath is the bus services. One can seek bus services to Haldwani, and from there take a cab to Kedarnath. The whole trip takes around 13 hours. We recommend you reach from New Delhi to Kedarnath by bus to Haldwani, and then take a cab to Kedarnath.
Yes, you can and the recommended itinerary for the Badrinath Kedarnath Yatra trip from Delhi can be as follows. On Day 1, you can transit from Delhi to Haridwar. The next day, after exploring locally, you can visit Guptkashi from Haridwar. The following day, you can visit Sonprayag starting from Guptkashi and then finally visit Kedarnath for darshan. The next day, you can begin the descent from Kedarnath, reach Sonprayag, and take a cab to Guptkashi.
On the fifth day, you can begin your journey from Guptkashi to Joshimath and then to Badrinath for darshan. On Day 6, perform an early morning Pooja at Badrinath, move to Joshimath, and take the route to Rudraprayag. On the last day, start from Rudraprayag, reach for Rishikesh or Haridwar for the Ganga Aarti, and make the final return to Delhi. This way, your Do Dham Yatra for Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi will conclude.
To reach Kedarnath in the quickest and best way possible from Delhi, one can begin their journey and pass through NH 334 or NH 7. On the route, the pilgrim can visit popular pilgrimage sites such as the following:
On average, the pilgrim can incur the cost of a Kedarnath trip from Delhi up to 15,000 to 20,000 rupees per head. The per-head cost will include transfers, stay, meals, etc.
Yes, one can look for the tour packages from the Heliteerth. We bring you a six-night tour package to visit the Kedarnath as well as Badrinath Dham. Our tour package starts from Delhi. One you can also get picked up with our entourage from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun. It can be as per the convenience of your booking time.
If you are visiting in the summer, it is an ideal time for sightseeing as well as pilgrimage. One can also visit in monsoon from July to October, as the weather will be accompanied by scanty rains. The temperature also pleasantly drops below 15°C. Winter season is not an ideal time to visit, as in from November to February. These are chilly days with the average temperature dropping below 5°C.
There are many accommodation options for pilgrims in Kedarnath and Badrinath tour package from Delhi, like LA Fiyoli Resort, Kedar Valley Resorts, Phulwari Resort Sitapur, Rumkh Kedar Resort, Himalayan View Resort, etc. One can also stay in major camps, such as Kedar Valley Magic Camp, Camping Base Camp, and Rana Stay Camp.
Yes, it is necessary to book accommodations in advance for the Kedarnath and Badrinath trip package from Delhi, as securing accommodation in advance will give you an edge, especially during the peak season. You can pre-book for Badrinath and Kedarnath as there are a variety of options available. You can book a simple guesthouse or a comfortable hotel. People also opt for dormitory-style rooms.
Badrinath Mandir premises open for the Darshan & Aarti at around 7:00 AM and close before 9:00 PM after concluding Sandhya Aarti. The same is the case with Kedarnath Temple timing as the temple gets closed in the afternoon for Darshan-Aarti with a gap of 3 hours between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
There is a major special ritual to participate in at Kedarnath and Badrinath temple, which is Rudra-Abhishek. The Rudra-Abhishek is a sacred ritual where the Lord Kedarnath idol is bathed in the Panch-Amitra, made up of water, milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, etc. One can invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva to seek divine protection. Also, the Daily Aarti is performed at the temple premise in both morning and evening time.
You must pack thermal wear such as woolens, gloves, scarves, etc., to protect yourself from harsh weather. If visiting in monsoon season, one can pack a raincoat and umbrellas to safeguard from harsh rains, and winds. Always wear trekking shoes which are comfortable to wear and avoid slips. All these measures will ensure a safe journey to Kedarnath.
Yes, one can avail of medical facilities along the Kedarnath and Badrinath routes in the nearby towns. We advise you to carry essential medications as well as a first aid kit in case of encounter common ailments.
Yes, one can use digital payments at Kedarnath and Badrinath. Lakhs of devotees visit this 1,200-year-old wonder place on the Garhwal range. Pilgrims can scan a Paytm QR code to make a donation. They can also pay through Paytm UPI along with other payment methods such as the following:
The traditional food to try in Kedarnath and Badrinath is its local cuisine. Kedarnath has a separate local cuisine which includes many delicious vegetarian dishes, such as dal, rice, roti, sabzi, and kadhi. These are commonly available dishes, which are prepared using local ingredients in ritualistic cooking methods.
Yes, in the months of May & June, there is a period for Kedar-Badri Utsav. It is a cultural festival of arts and music, which will be followed by the festival of Janmashtami in the month of July-August. These festivals are celebrated in the Garhwal region with many processions, each with a pomp show. In the last festive month, we also have Mata Mruti ka Mela, celebrated in Badrinath region with many rituals.
There are many boards displayed in several places of Kedarnath Temple premises which state that any visitor is not allowed to enter the temple premises with mobile phones. We restrict all kinds of photography as well as videography inside the temple premises. Visitors are all together under the surveillance of CCTV cameras.
There are some vital steps to make your Do Dham Yatra for Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi sustainable like choosing eco-friendly transportation. One can use public transport or other carpooling methods rather than driving their car. Nowadays, many pilgrims also opt for electric vehicles and hybrid cars for traveling purposes. On the Do Dham Yatra for Kedarnath and Badrinath from Delhi, one can also pack eco-friendly essentials, such as refillable water bottles, reusable cloth bags, toiletries, etc., all to reduce waste generation. If you are more conscious, then you can choose an eco-friendly accommodation or an eco-friendly hotel that observes sustainable practices.
Every Kedarnath pilgrim must opt for modest clothing, and use government-operated buses and shared jeeps. These regulations are for the passengers traveling between towns. While travelling, one must avoid isolated stretches, and book hotels near the temple premises or bus stand.
Yes, non-Hindus can visit both Kedarnath and Badrinath Temple, as it is open to people of all religions and beliefs. If the pilgrim wishes to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, he can visit both temples. This is the spiritual significance of Kedarnath. The natural beauty of Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Mandir attracts many visitors from different faiths.
To obtain the yatra pass, you can visit the official website of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The pass is also readily available from the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.
Do Dham Yatra is a highly revered Hindu pilgrimage covering two of the four holy sites, i.e., Badrinath and Kedarnath, the other two being Gangotri and Yamunotri. The importance of the Do Dham yatra is that it can cleanse one's soul to bring them closer to the Lord.
Yes, both porter and pony services are available for the trek to Kedarnath. You can hire mule and pony services to reach Kedarnath. These pony services start from Gaurikund. It makes as a convenient option for elderly pilgrims and people with physical disabilities.
You can purchase handicrafts made by locals from indigenous materials like wool, wood, etc., or religious items like Rudraksha, Prayer Shawls, Prashad, etc. People are also on the lookout for Herbal products and Ayurvedic medicines. Mountains are famed for their essential oils. And lastly, you can buy local sweets and snacks to share with relatives back home.
Badrinath and Kedarnath regions are covered with 5G Mobile coverage, as most towers in the Do Dham yatra route have been tele-connected.
You can visit the Kedarnath Temple during the winter season, i.e., from October to March. But note that the main temple remains closed during these chilling months. The region receives heavy snowfall which leads to road blockage. But if you are a Budget Traveller, then you can plan a trip as well as book your stays at discounted rates.
The biggest challenge is the weather and path slopes. One will also encounter a lack of facilities as well as shelters. Situations can get worse within hours. So, we advise you to not carry heavy bags and keep some gaps in the itinerary.
Authority puts no specific age restriction on pilgrims for the Yatra, but the travelers must keep into consideration the arduous physical demands of the journey. We issue an advisory for elderly individuals as well as young children to consult their doctors before coming to Kedarnath. Even young adults must assess their fitness level before committing to the pilgrimage.
The Skanda Purana clearly states the Kedar Khand in Badrinath Dham. Here, Lord Shiva lived before Lord Vishnu, where later, Lord Vishnu started living in this place after Lord Shiva left this place for him. Shiva migrated to Kedarnath Puri. In the present times, Lord Shiva is worshipped as the Shri Adi Kedareshwara in Badrinath.
Kedarnath Valley is a valley of numerous forests, cleared for development and tourism. These activities have now led to soil erosion and landslides in the area, reducing the amount of wildlife habitat in the region. Another culprit is the pollution in the Kedarnath Valley.
Pilgrims intending to visit Kedarnath located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand must carry any of the following government-issued photo ID proof documents:
The formality is primarily for registration purposes to obtain the requisite permits.
In the mountains, many pilgrims develop headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc., which are symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Most of them settle down on their own, but for some, the issues do not go away. Therefore, one can seek symptomatic treatment like paracetamol or anti-nausea medicine to alleviate the symptoms. If the symptoms get worse, then you must report to a medical center.