Best Time to Visit Kedarnath: Weather, Temperature, and Season

Kailashadhipati, Mahadev, Maheshwara, Gangadhar, Lingeshwara, Natraj, Rudra, and so many more, Lord Shiva has so many names yet no one and nothing is like him in the entire world. He is the supreme Lord of the Universe, the fierce one, the most powerful, he is above and beyond all, and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is the place where you can witness the divine aura of Kedarnath which literally means ‘Lord of Kedarkhand’ who is none other than Lord Shiva.

Kedarnath Temple

Situated at a height of 11,755 ft in the Garhwal Himalayan range, the Kedarnath temple happens to be one of the twelve jyotirlingas. A pretty famous site in Char Dham yatra, Kedarnath temple has quite some miraculous notions associated with it. The legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared as a Stambha of light in these jyotirlingas and at all these temples, the presence of a lingam represents the origin and infinite Stambha pillar, representing the infinite nature of Lord Shiva.

But what makes Kedarnath temple so special that thousand of devotees flock to the place, despite the restricted time to visit? Kedarnath temple is situated near the Mandakini river. In 2013, the massive flash floods in the Mandakini river damaged thousands of houses but couldn’t even touch the temple. As per the reports, a huge boulder plummeted towards the temple and stopped about 50 feet behind the temple. The sadhus further stated that the boulder diverted the flow of water and saved the Kedarnath temple and the people who took shelter in it. If it is not miraculous then nothing is. This phenomenon added to the popularity of the Kedarnath temple.

The best time to visit Kedarnath

The best time to go to Kedarnath is rather a debatable subject. Being one of the most popular Shiva temples in India, devotees aka Mahakal Ke Bhakt from around the globe come to visit the Kedarnath temple. However, due to extreme climatic conditions, the Kedarnath temple is open for the general public only in April on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and then in the month of Kartik Purnima which falls in November. So, technically these are the best months to visit the Kedarnath temple as the visitors get to visit the temple complex from inside as well.

Although these restrictions leave the tourists with only a handful of opportunities to witness the grandeur of the Kedarnath temple, it does not stop them entirely. Rather than waiting for the best season to visit Kedarnath, they visit whenever there is less crowd which means no pushing around.

Apart from the temple, tourists can also enjoy the magnificent view of the valleys surrounding the Kedarnath temple. If you are booking a Kedarnath travel package, do consider these aforementioned seasons:

Summer Season (April to June)

It is the best time to visit the Kedarnath temple as the temple is open for the general public on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya in April month. The temperature is comparatively pleasant which makes it the best time to travel to Kedarnath. Owing to the pleasant weather, one can find Kedarnath Trekking all the more enjoyable which happens to be quite a rage during the summer season in Kedarnath.

Monsoon Season (July to September)

Although the beauty of Kedarnath is something else altogether in monsoon season, it is probably not the best time to visit Kedarnath. Rain may often lead to landslides in hilly regions, which often can be dangerous. Monsoon season is not a very ideal time to visit the place.

Winter Season (October to March) 

The weather in the Himalayas in winter is the coldest. So, if you are up for some skin-numbing and bone-chilling winds, then October to March can be the best time to visit Kedarnath. However, consulting with your travel company before making bookings is advisable. Usually, people avoid the winter season when visiting Kedarnath.

Long story short, the summer season is the best time to visit Kedarnath and can become a memorable time for tourists and travellers alike.

Whether you are a devotee waiting for the best time to visit the Kedarnath temple or an adventure junkie, waiting for the best time to trek in Kedarnath, the humble abode of Lord Shiva will always have something for you, in one way or the other.