Situated on an elevation of over 3,584 metres above sea level, Kedarnath Dham is one of the holiest Shiva pilgrimage spots in India. It is a part of the holy Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand along with Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri. Established in the 7th century by Adi Shankaracharya, the first foundation of the temple was laid by Lord Ram. Gracing the banks of the holy Mandakini River, it is bound by massive snowcapped peaks. It is considered to be one of the most difficult Dhams to reach out of all the Char Dham temples. Every year the temple opens up on the holy eve of Akshay Tritiya for 6 months. The temple shuts down on the eve of Bhai Dooj. During this time pilgrims can continue to offer their prayer to Lord Kedar in his winter abode at Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath.
The weather of Kedarnath can be a tricky subject to tackle. One needs to take extra care of the weather while planning a Kedarnath trip. Here is everything you need to know about Kedarnath weather:
Kedarnath Temperature Today
Kedarnath In Summer Season
The summer season in Kedarnath lasts from May to late June. This is also the peak season for the Kedarnath Dham tour. During this time the temperature remains comfortable throughout the day. The sky remains clear. However, at night the temperature drops dramatically. Make sure to pack good woollen clothing to keep you warm at night. Summer season in Kedarnath is also the ideal time to travel to Kedarnath without any second thought. Other than the tourists, the locals also benefit hugely during this time. One can even plan a trip to some nearby sightseeing attractions around Kedarnath as well. Some must visit places in Kedarnath are: Sonprayag, Agastyamuni Temple, Kedarnath Cave, Vasu Ki Tal etc.
Kedarnath In Winter Season
The winter months in Kedarnath range between October to March. As the winter season draws closer, the doors of Kedarnath Dham shuts down. It is on the holy eve of Bhai Dooj that Kedarnath closes for the season. During this time everything gets covered completely in a thick layer of snow. Heavy snowfall goes on almost every day throughout the winter months. Since the temple remains closed for the season no tourists can be seen here. Even though the temple remains closed for the pilgrims some monks and priests of Lord Shiva can still be seen meditating here. The local, small businessmen of the region also go to the lower, warmer regions for the time being. If there is some pending construction work in the temple complex, that also gets completed in the winter season.
Kedarnath In Monsoon Season
Monsoon season in Kedarnath lasts from July to early September. This is the time when the weather conditions are highly unpredictable. There are constant chances of unexpected weather turns. Heavy rainfall on the hills also results in landslides, sudden floods and road blocks. This may interfere with your travel plans for Kedarnath. It can even lead to casualties. Some Kedarnath yatra by helicopter stand cancelled. Even if you plan a trip by tracking the weather and looking out for a number of days without rain it may still prove to be extremely fatal and a high risk. Although there are fewer pilgrims during this time it is advised for you to not plan a trip during the monsoons months. When it comes to weather conditions, the temperature drops dramatically and it gets very cold compared to the summertime temperature.
Best Time To Visit Kedarnath
It goes without saying the summer months from April to early July is the perfect time to plan a trip to Kedarnath. Pilgrims will be able to enjoy good amenities at the hotel. They will even be able to visit other nearby tourist attractions and make the most of this spiritual endeavour. Although it is a peak season, during this time no helicopter rides get cancelled and the roads also remain clear to make commuting easier. Be it trekking or taking your own vehicle, this best time to visit Kedarnath is ideal for every pilgrim.
Essentials To Carry For Kedarnath
The Kedarnath yatra is not an easy one. One needs to be very clear about the hassles that they may face or expect on the way. Here are the essentials to carry or things to keep in mind prior to heading out to Kedarnath:
- Being situated on a high altitude, it is a great idea to workout every day for a minimum of half an hour. This includes aerobic activities like walking, cycling, yoga, cardio etc. this will make sure that you are healthy and in form to take on the challenging trip. Even if going by helicopter, working out regularly would avoid the high-altitude mountain sickness.
- Make sure to follow the local weather and temperature changes no matter when you will be going. However, it is ideal to make your char dham yatra booking way beforehand especially during the best time to visit.
- While packing, make sure to include lots of good quality woollen items like mufflers, socks, thermal inners and other such items. Keep a pack of sun block, lip balm, any medication you may feel necessary and sunglasses. Also include lots of dry fruits, chocolates and other such packaged food items to give you energy if you feel really hungry.
- If traveling by helicopter remember to only pack 5 kilos. The helicopter crew reserves the right to deboard any passenger whose luggage is more than 5 kilos.
Conclusion
The Kedarnath package is all about providing pilgrims with a memorable spiritual experience. It takes every Shiva devotee on an experience of a lifetime to the Garhwal hills in the Himalayas. Keep in mind the Kedarnath weather before booking your package to Char Dham. This may be the reason that will eventually make or break your plans. Also, remember to carry all the things that you may need as the temperature and local weather conditions in Uttarakhand remain subject to constant change.
