Kedarnath Temple: History, Height, Age & Everything You Need to Know

Om Namah Shivay! Besides being the highest among the 12 jyotirlingas, the Kedarnath temple speaks volumes at first glance. It is one of the holiest and among the most visited Hindu pilgrimage sites, where people of all age groups visit. Though the opening season is limited, still lakhs of Bhakts travel here.

Detailed Table to Help You In Planning A Trip to the Kedarnath Temple

Details Mentioned	Detailed Information
Deity at Kedarnath Temple	Lord Shiva or Mahadev adobe at the Kedarnath Temple
Altitude of the Kedarnath Temple	3,583 m above sea level
Structural Height of the Temple	Approximately  85 feet
Who Built It	According to the epic, the Pandavas have made this temple, which was later revived by Adi Shankaracharya. It was remade somewhat in the 8th century CE.
How old is it	It is assumed to be 1,200 years old, but factually, it might have been made much earlier.
District and state where it is located	Rudrapyag District, located in Uttarakhand, India
River at which it is located	Mandakini River
Opening month	Usually, it opens in late April or sometimes in the first week of May and remains open till October. After that, it re-opens in November. Dates can be changed and is highly dependent on the Hindu Calendar.
Ranking Among Jyotirlinga	It is ranked 11th out of 12 Jyotirlingas. It follows the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Sequence.

Where is the Kedarnath Temple Located?

Ever been to the land of the Himalayas or Devbhumi- Uttarakhand? Lord Shiva is present in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at the Kedarnath Temple, located on the Mandakini River at an elevation of 3,583 meters. It is surrounded by beautiful, fluffy snow-clad peaks, which are somewhat near the Chorabari Glacier. The geographic coordinate is approximately 30.7352° N, 79.0669° E. The entire place is blessed with natural beauty and spiritual blessings.

The Kedarnath Temple, Location Details

Details Asked	Available Information
District	Rudraprayag
State and Country	Uttarakhand, India
The mountain range where it is located	Garhwal Himalayas
River	Mandakini
Latitude and longitude Coordinates	30.7352° N, 79.0669° EGaurikund (16–18 km trek away)
Nearest Landmark to start the trek	Gaurikund, which demands a trek of 16-18km, depending upon the route you select

If you know about the four worshipable sacred places of the Char Dham Yatra, then you must be aware that it is a part of it. To name them:

Yamunotri

Gangotri

Kedarnath

Badrinath

If you have heard of the Panch Kedar, you must know it is part of the Panch Kedar. It refers to the Panch, which means “five temples” and is located in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas.

The Legend of Kedarnath: Why Lord Shiva Appeared as a Bull?

Following Hindu tradition, the Mahabharata war was shaped by many spiritual stories. Everyone knows the Pandavas defeated the Kauravas. To seek forgiveness and make peace, they went to Lord Shiva to seek his blessings. Lord Shiva was in no mood to meet them immediately, as he was too disheartened by the destruction wrought during the war. He left Varanasi, where he had been residing, and went to the farthest reaches of the Himalayas. There, he took the form of a Nandi so the Pandavas would fail to recognise him.

After reaching the Garhwal Himalayas, Bhima, among the Pandavas, suspected that one bull among the grazing bulls around was Lord Shiva. He immediately spread his legs and tried to block their way. Other bulls easily passed underneath, but the one who was disguised dived straight into the ground. Bhima tried to stop it, but it disappeared, leaving only the hump visible. The Pandavas understood and started worshipping it. Now this is the same site where we see the Kedarnath Temple today. With time, Mahadev was happy with their devotion and repentance. He had forgiven them and blessed them by liberating them from their sins. This is how the Kedarnath Mahima transversed to all the devotees.

How the Story Has Strings Attached To The Panch Kedar?

According to traditional stories, Lord Shiva’s divine bull’s body parts appeared at four different places, all in the Garhwal Himalayas. Panch Kedar refers to these five divine temples collectively.

Temple Name and Body Parts 

Temple Name	Lord Shiva’s Body Part
Kedarnath	Hump of Lord Shiva’s Bull
Rudranath	Face
Tungnath	Arms
Kalpeshwar	Jata or Matted hair
Madhamaheshwar	Navel and Stomach

Kedarnath is known for the bull hump emerging place and is ranked number one among all the Panch Kedar. Several devotees undertake the Panch Kedar Yatra simultaneously to live and receive blessings by worshipping all five living forms of Lord Shiva. 

How Old Is The Kedarnath Temple?

Heard some people claiming they are going to Kedarnath, then there were Bhakts claiming, ‘No one goes there on his own; Baba calls them!’

Talking about the age of the Kedarnath Temple, you will never get a single answer; instead, you will be served with two answers and believe me, you cannot deny either of them. The temple’s age is supported by Hindu tradition and historical evidence. Understanding the basic difference will help you to document religious and historical facts separately.

Religious Belief vs. History

As per Tradition	Following the History
If we follow Hindu tradition, we find that at several places it is mentioned that the Pandavas built this divine place after winning the legendary Mahabharata to atone for their guilt.	Historians present facts stating that the present Kedarnath Temple is the rebuilt work of Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. He tried to restore several pilgrimages across India, including the Kedarnath Temple.

In brief, one can conclude that this divine site has a religious background, but the existing temple is approximately 1,200 years old.

What Historical Record Has To Say?

If you look for any evidential inscription to describe the exact current time of the present temple, you might be disappointed. Though historians have their own version, stating that the present-day temple dates to the early medieval period. It has a firm connection with Adi Shankaracharya ji, who worked tirelessly to preserve Kedarnath and other holy shrines of the Himalayas.

In the 12th century CE, Kedrnath had already established its presence, as evidenced by its mention in the Kritya Kalpataru. It is a Sanskrit legal and religious collection, collected by Lakshmidhara. It shows that Bhakts were already visiting this place at that time.

Who Built Kedarnath Temple?

The Kedarnath Temple was originally made by the Pandavas, and later in the 8th Century CE, it was rebuilt by Adi Shankaracharya.

Kedarnath Temple Height & Altitude

While searching for the height of Kedarnath Temple, people often confuse it with the temple’s altitude.

Location	Height	What it denotes
Height to reach Kedarnath Temple	3,583 m above sea level	This is the height at which the temple is located from the trek point.
Height of the actual Kedarnath Temple	85 ft approximately	This is the real height of the main temple, including the spire.

 

Altitude

 

The Kedarnath temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 metres in the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas. Located in Uttarakhand, this height speaks to why Kedarnath Mandir remains open only for half the year.

Importance of Knowing the Height of Temple Location for Visitors

• As height increases, oxygen levels decrease, making it more challenging for first-time trekkers.
• Acute Mountain Sickness is another challenge people experience at high altitude. In this, headache, sudden fatigue, dizziness, or unbearable headache are common.
• Some suggestions that might help you avoid sickness and make this trek smoother are staying hydrated, ascending gradually, and spending a night at a not very high place like Sonprayag or Guptakashi. It can actually help you get rid of altitude related sickness.

Height of the Temple- 85 ft

The huge temple had withstood centuries of bad weather, heavy snowfall, landslides, earthquakes, floods, and more. Its spire is an example of the North Indian stone architectural style.

Role of Altitude is Always More Than The Temple Height

Travellers always discuss the altitude while planning the trek, as they have to cross it to do the divine darshan.

Altitude stands more challenging for them than the temple’s real height. It can influence the following:

• The temperature here often drops below freezing even during the pilgrimage season, especially at night.
• At higher altitudes, the risk of altitude sickness increases, especially for older people, those who are physically unfit, and those who are sick.
• May-June and September are always considered ideal times to trek due to the comfortable weather. 

Kedarnath Temple Architecture — Built to Survive the Himalayas

Although all ancient temples possess a strong aura, Kedarnath surpasses them due to its traditional North Indian Himalayan stone architecture. Due to its location, it is built to withstand any extreme climatic conditions. You can feel that the focus while building this temple was solely on durability, rather than any outer decoration. This may be why it withstood earthquakes, floods, and heavy snowfall.

Key Features of Architecture

Features of the Kedarnath Temple	Details
Style	Nagara or North Indian Himalayan style of temple architecture
Main Material Used	Massive grey granite stone slabs
Construction Method Employed	Large stone blocks with no visible gaps between them
Foundation	It is solely built on a slightly raised stone platform, which ensures its overall stability
Roof	You will find a heavy stone slab roof designed to hold snow leads
Entrance	It has an entrance hall or Mandapa at the entrance, which will take you to the sanctum or Garbhagriha, in which Jyotirlinga is located.

What Makes the Temple So Strong?

In the later stage, several masonry structures that depend solely on mortar, such as the Kedarnath Temple, were designed by utilising perfectly cut and tightly fitted stone blocks. The heavy, carefully placed granite slabs used here, when combined, created a stable structure capable of absorbing common environmental hazards.

The thick stone walls and strong foundation of the Kedarnath Mandir were specifically designed to withstand harsh climatic conditions.

How did the Kedarnath Temple Architecture stand against all odds of the 2013 Floods?

The 2013 Uttarakhand floods were a major disaster, and the entire area surrounding Kedarnath suffered catastrophic damage. Several buildings that surrounded the main temple were destroyed completely, but to everyone’s surprise, the primary temple remained untouched, unmoved! Experts have considered several factors to understand its survival besides a single cause:

• There was a strong interlocking stone construction which delivered exceptional strength to the mandir, which we all witnessed.
• The foundation of this temple is too strong, and the thick granite walls complement the foundation.
• Divya Shila, the popular protective rock located at the back of the temple, stopped most debris flow and reduced the force of floodwater, preventing disasters.

The temple’s survival was largely due to its resilient traditional engineering and its exclusive geographic location.. The earlier Himalayan building technique and the desirable natural surroundings make Kedarnath Temple the most unique example of mountain architecture.

What is inside the Kedarnath Temple?

If you ever get to witness the interior of the Kedarnath temple, you will be amazed by its simplicity and ancient style. The interior is so pure that your focus will be entirely on Mahadev. Start from the entrance and reach the main mandir, and you will be surprised to see how the eternal form of Bhakti can be felt in every corner of the mandir. This temple is made by following the traditional Himalayan temple style,

 

Temple Layout In Detail

 

Special Areas	What you will find here
Entry Passage	You will find a large Nandi made of stone facing the sanctum.
Assembly Hall or Mandap	You will walk in the stone hall where you will find statues of Pandavas, Virabhadra, Draupadi, other revered figures, and of Lord Krishna.
Sanctum Sanctorum or Garbhagriha	Here you will find a naturally formed but irregularly shaped Shivling. The hump-shaped form of Lord Shiva is worshipped here, who is believed to be in bull form here.
Parikrama Path	It is believed that no darshan is complete without taking a circumambulatory path around a temple of its sanctum and here also you will find the same. Devotees take this path while doing their ritual prayers.
Behind the Temple	You will find the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi here, and people believe it is the same place where he has attained Mahasamadhi
Another sacred sites near Kedarnath Temple	Retas Kund, Bhairavnath Temple, Amrit Kund, and Hans Kund lies near the hill.

Garbhagriha or Sanctum Sanctorum

Garbhagriha is regarded as the spiritual heart of this divine temple. Here, devotees come to worship, share their pain, pour out their hearts, and meet their divine Lord Shiva while worshipping the Jyotirlinga.

Here, the Shivling is nowhere near the common, smooth, cylindrical one; it is an irregularly, naturally formed stone, representing the hump of Lord Shiva when he took the form of a bull to avoid the Pandavas. Everyone cannot go near the Shivling, and only during special rituals, seasonal arrangements, and temple management can one go.

Mandap or Assembly Hall

You need to pass through the Mandap before reaching the sanctum. It is a spacious stone hall where people gather to pray. Once you step in, you will find revered idols and statues that depict scenes from the Mahabharata. It includes the following:

• Draupadi
• Pandavas
• Lord Krishna
• Virabhadra
• Other saints and deities of that time

Virbhadra is the strong and fierce form of Lord Shiva. The hall depicts the temple’s Himalayan style and not mere ornate craftsmanship.

Nandi

A huge stone statue of Nandi is placed in front of the temple. It is known to fulfil wishes and is Shiva’s divine vehicle. People first offer help to Nandi before they proceed towards the Garbhagriha.

Parikrma Path

Around the sanctum, you will find the Parikrama path, where clockwise walking is done. It is said that without this Parikrma, darshan is considered incomplete.

Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi

Adi Shankaracharya was an 8th-century philosopher known for reviving the temple and reestablishing the divine place as a major pilgrimage site. His memorial lies here. Though the original was damaged during the disastrous 2013 flood, the one we see now is the rebuilt one. Pilgrims who visit Kedarnath Temple stop here to pay their respects to him.

Amrit Kund and Other Sacred Kund

Several sacred water tanks are here, where people visit as a part of their darshan:

• Hans Kund
• Retas Kund
• Amrit Kund

Bhairavnath Temple

Walk for another 500-800 metres from Kedarnath Temple, and you will reach this temple. It is believed that without his darshan, Lord Kedar’s darshan is considered incomplete. He acts like a guardian deity who protects the sacred place after the Mandir is closed during winter and until it reopens.

Mental Map For All Visitors

• The Nandi Statue appears at the entrance.
• Mandap where you will pass the statues of different deities of the Mahabharata.
• Garbhagriha to do darshan of Kedarnath.
• Prikrama
• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi darshan
• Darshan of Amrit Kund and other Kunds.
• Trek to Bhairavnath Temple and enjoy the scenic beauty around after his darshan.

The Kedarnath Shivling — Why Is It Considered Unique

Here, we are not talking about cylindrical or polished Shivlings, which you will commonly find in all Mahadev temples. This jyotirling is Swayambhu, which means it emerged naturally and was not man-made. This Jyotirlinga is also popular and known worldwide for being located at the highest latitude among other Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

What Made Kedarnath Shivling So Different?

Discussed Features	Details Explained
Type of Jyotirlinga	It is a Swayambhu Jyotirlinga
Shape of Jyotirlinga	It is not a smooth or regular Jyotirlinga but an irregular, natural and conical stone
Approximate size of the Jyotirlinga	To be precise, it is approximately 1,9 metres in height and 2.4 metres in circumference
Symbolize	It is known to symbolise the hump of Mahadev in bull form
Religious Role	It is located at the highest altitude among all 12 Jyotirlingas.

A Natural But Irregular Form Of Jyotirlinga

It is a rough, uneven, naturally formed Shivling, as mentioned, but being Swayambhu makes it different. Here, the divine hump is worshipped.

Ghee Ritual- The Sacred One

Devotees offering ghee to the Shivling, here. This belief is linked to the Pandavas, when Bhima caught the bull’s hump; after that, it is believed the Pandavas regularly poured ghee to pray to Lord Shiva to show their repentance, devotion and gratitude. If one can attend morning rituals during special pujas, they can practice this traditional method of worship. It also depends on the temple’s rules and schedule.

Why is it Special Among All Jyotirlingas?

Its location, altitude, and Swayambhu’s presence. and its connection to the Panch Kedar legend makes it even more unique, thanks to its distinctive features.

Kedarnath Temple Photos — What to Expect to See

Check any social media platform, and you will find that most images focus on the same iconic mandir background, but what most miss is the Himalayan setting around it, which makes it a highly photogenic pilgrimage site.

Most Photographed Locations

Spot for Best Clicks	What will you see?
Temple	The old grey stone temple, covered with snow-clad Himalayas, and the Kedarnath Temple rising directly behind it
Forecourt Temple	Pilgrims come here for darshan; they witness a stone-paved courtyard and the magnificent Nandi facing the statue.
Bhim Shila	The huge rock became popular after the 2013 flood disaster as it saved the main temple from water and debris.
Mountain Panorama	You will find beautiful peaks like Kedar Dome, Kedarnath Peak, and Bharatekuntha Peak that surround the valley.
Huge queue during Morning darshan	Long queues to do darshan while the Kedarnath temple illuminates with the soft, natural morning light.
Evening View at the Temple	After sunset, the temple lit provides a beautiful view against the dark Himalayan backdrop. You can enjoy this view during the evening aarti.

How does the Temple look today in 2026?

Visitors are likely to witness the same stone temple in 2026, but the surrounding area has undergone a huge upgradation after the Kedarnath redevelopment project started. With wider, better stone pathways, improved queue management, landscaped public areas, riverfront works, lighting, and the refurbished Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, the temple has an overall better, more organised look than before the 2013 disaster.

Diastorous Flood of 2013 and Magic of Bhim Shila

Heavy rainfall in 2013 led to floods and landslides across Uttarakhand. At this time, the entire Kedarnath was inundated with floodwaters, mud, debris, and rocks, causing the most devastating and frightening destruction. The most surprising part that left all the atheists’ jaws open was the fact that it was unable to ruin even the slightest part of the Kedarnath Temple. It remains standing against all odds, with no visible damage.

A massive boulder called Bhim Shila came in between the disaster and the temple. The stone used in the temple construction and the robust foundation play an important role in its survival.

Several research projects undertaken by different agencies, like ASI or the Archaeological Survey of India, where researchers from IIT Madras also declared that during this flood, the temple remained stable. Their findings indeed highlighted the superiority of traditional construction and design, and how the surrounding terrain, including this huge boulder, restricted the entry of debris flow from entering the temple premises.

Several bhakts believe that Bhima Shila is the supreme and divine protection added by Lord Shiva. 

When Does Kedarnath Temple Open?

Kedarnath Temple remains open for around six months each year, generally from late April or early May to the end of October or early November. It is due to harsh climatic conditions, which do not permit devotees to travel at that time. The fixed opening or closing dates are based solely on the Hindu calendar, and you can find them on the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple committee website.

Opening and Closing Season of Kedarnath Temple

Event type	When it Happens	What Happens During That Time
Temple Opens	Akshay Tritiya-April end or Early May	The Kapat of the mandir opens for devotees after the long winter following the winter rituals.
Temple Closes	Around Kartik Purnima or Bhai Dooj in the end of October or in early November	The Kapat of the mandir closes prior to the Himalayan snowfall, as it is difficult to reach this place due to the harsh climate.

Does the Deity Remain in the Kedarnath Temple During Winter?

Once the temple closes for winter, the five-faced idol of Lord Kedarnath, popularly known as the Panchmukhi, is taken to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, following all rituals. Here, the worship continues throughout the harsh winter. Before the next darshan season, Baba is brought back in a ceremonial procession before the reopening of the temple.

Important Travel Tip to Remember

Not to forget, Kedarnath opens around Akshaya Tritiya and closes around Bhai Dooj or Kartik Purnima. There are no fixed dates; every year before the season, they are announced solely based on the Hindu Panchang.

Before planning your trip, always confirm the dates and book your entire journey in advance to avoid any issues.

Connection of the Kedarnath Temple and the Char Dham or Panch Kedar

Kedarnath Temple has always been an important Hindu pilgrimage, and you will read its mention everywhere. It is one of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra, along with Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Gangotri. It is often the first-visited temple of this Panch Kedar row. Char Dham Yatra is dedicated to four sacred shrines in the Himalayas, whereas the Panch Kedar Yatra is dedicated to Lord Shiva and includes Kedarnath, Rudranath, Tungnath, Kalpeshwar, and Madhyamaheshwar. All five of these temples are linked to the story of Lord Shiva’s bull after the Mahabharata. 

How Can One Reach Kedarnath Temple?

You cannot reach the Kedarnath Temple by road altogether. First, pilgrims need to travel to Sonprayag. From there, you need to opt for a local shuttle to Gaurikund, then continue the rest of the path by trekking or other available means of transportation.

Level	How to Reach There
By Road	You need to reach Sonprayag by taking a taxi, bus, or even private vehicle from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun, or other towns in Uttarakhand.
Local Transport	From here, you need to take a shared shuttle from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. This is the point from where the trek originally starts.
Final Destination	From Gaurikund, you still need to travel 16-18 km to Kedarnath Mandir. It can be done either by trekking, palki, pithu, or helicopter.

You can check our detailed guide on How to reach Kedarnath, to understand things in depth.

Frequently Asked Questions