Kedarnath has a cool, calm and spiritual environment for the majority of the year and is best visited in the summer. September through November are the ideal months to travel to Kedarnath. The weather at Kedarnath is pleasant and cool around this time. Although Kedarnath’s first two months, May and June, are also great for travel, during these months a large number of pilgrims from all over the world visit Kedarnath, making it difficult to get a darshan without waiting in a huge line.
Select September and October as the best months to visit Kedarnath Temple if you want to receive immediate Darshan, find affordable lodgings quickly, and avoid sudden weather changes. Here, the winters are severe, with below-freezing temperatures and lots of rain. When travelling to char dham during the monsoons, one needs to pack a few necessities due to the torrential downpour that is a hallmark of the monsoon season.
The pleasant Kedarnath summers, which continue from May till June, are marked by temperatures that average around 17°C. The weather is ideal for visiting the Kedarnath shrine and for taking in some sightseeing at well-known locations nearby. This season is the best time to visit this location because the weather is still temperate throughout this time.
Don’t forget to bring a daypack, suitable walking shoes, trekking shoes, trekking pants, a windproof jacket, lightweight wool clothes, a sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a torch or torch with additional batteries, a walking stick and personal necessities. A water bottle must always be with you. Additionally, keep some energy bars, dry fruits, and sports drinks like Gatorade and electoral (ORS) in your pocket.
Temperatures in Kedarnath fell to 12°C during the monsoon season, which began in July and lasted until August. Visitors are encouraged to be ready to handle the challenges because Kedarnath frequently experiences significant rain showers and landslides during this season. To protect oneself from the torrential rains, one must take a few necessities.
Don’t forget to bring a daypack with a rain cover, a pair of waterproof hiking or trekking shoes, trekking pants, a wind and water-resistant jacket, thick fleece, woollen clothing, waterproof gloves, thick woollen socks, a walking stick, a raincoat or poncho, a torch or torch with extra batteries and personal toiletries. A water bottle, some dry fruits to snack on, and energy drinks should all be remembered in order to prevent dehydration.
The winter season in Kedarnath starts in November and lasts till April. This time of year is not ideal for visiting because of the obstructed routes to Kedarnath caused by the excessive snowfall. As a result, the Kedarnath Temple is closed during the winter. Here, the winters are chilly with often-subzero temperatures. Kedarnath is currently covered with snow and is therefore unreachable for a spell.
The Akshay Tritya auspicious day determines the Kedarnath Temple’s opening day and time, which is announced on Maha Shiva Ratri. After calculating the Panchang, priests at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath choose the day that the Kedarnath shrine would open. It has been decided that Kedarnath will close two days after Bhai Dooj, which is celebrated after Diwali. After the morning pooja archana, the Kedarnath temple will be closed for the winter.
The chief priest of Kedarnath Dham, Shiv Shankar Ling, claims that Baba Kedar was born under the sign of Gemini. Based on this, an almanack calculation is made to determine the day and auspicious hour for the Dham’s doors to open. Additionally, the location of the Moon is visible during this. The opening of the doors is only counted, according to the scriptures, when the moon’s residence is in front.
Due to the significant snowfall throughout the winter, Kedarnath remains deserted and the Temple is closed. The Palki of Lord Kedarnath is temporarily relocated to Ukhimath, a location close to Guptkashi, from November to April before being returned to Kedarnath in May. The temple’s doors are opened at this time to welcome visitors who have gathered from all over India for a holy journey.
Ukhimath is the Kedarnath Winter Seat: The Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath is home to the winter residences of the Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar idols.
Many thousands of pilgrims attended the Kedarnath Dham opening ceremony. One of the auspicious days for many pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath from all around the nation and the world is the opening day of the Kedarnath Kapat. After lengthy hours of worship by Rawal and Pujaris of Kedarnath Dham, the gates of Kedarnath Temple open. Only after priests had opened Puja at the Kedarnath Temple could pilgrims receive darshan. The Kedarnath Dham’s closing ceremony is also a lavish celebration, with Garhwal bands escorting Baba Kedar Doli to Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, which serves as Kedarnath’s winter residence.
Every year, during the months of April and May, Kedarnath Dham welcomes pilgrims. On the festival of Mahashivratri, the opening dates for the Kedarnath Temple were revealed.
Baba Bhairavnath, the defender of Kedarpur, shall be revered
The Kedarpur protector Baba Bhairavnath will be worshipped at Omkareshwar Temple prior to the opening of Kedarnath Temple, according to Panchang calculations. From the Omkareshwar temple, Baba Kedar’s Chal-Vigraha Utsav Doli will depart for its initial stop, Guptkashi.
Vinayak Chaturthi : This festival, which is mostly observed in the months of September and October, is especially enthusiastically observed in Kedarnath because Lord Ganesh was Lord Shiva’s son. Lord Ganesha devotees make it a point to get to this holy location where they worship the Lord and offer prayers for happiness and success in life. Pay a visit to the Kedarnath temple around this period if you wish to have a special and holy pilgrimage experience.
Samadhi Puja : On the final day of the main temple, a lavish festival is held at the Shankaracharya Samadhi, which is just behind the main temple at Kedarnath and is devoted to the renowned sage Adi Shankaracharya. All the pilgrims gather for this puja, which includes a sizable festival with lights, music, and puja processions. A large puja is done inside Shankaracharya Samadhi during this time, following which the main temple’s Kapat is closed for the season and the presiding deity’s idol is moved to Ukhimath.
Shravani Annakoot Mela : The vibrant Shravani Annakoot Mela is held just one day before the holy Raksha Bandhan holiday. The locals here celebrate this celebration to commemorate the fresh harvest. Freshly grown paddy is served on the Lord’s Jyotirlinga on this day, and it is referred to as “Prasadam” here. This is followed by a number of unique puja rites that are carried out at this place. For everyone visiting Kedarnath Dham at this time, the entire shivling of Kedarnath Ji is decked and ornamented with a paste made from freshly harvested grains and pulses such as rice, maize, wheat and other. It is truly a visual feast and a profoundly spiritual experience.
Badri Kedar Festival : Visit Kedarnath in June for the Badri Kedar Festival, when the entire region is immersed in a great festive celebration, if you wish to see the perfect culture and customs of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Eight days of lavish musical celebrations cover the entire area, and performers from all over Uttarakhand, including singers, dancers, painters, and others, come to show off their skills and raise awareness of the state’s rich history, culture, traditions, and religious beliefs.
Hariyali Devi Temple : Every year, from September through October, the Hariyali Devi Temple hosts the Hariyali Devi Mela. The Goddess is depicted ornately in the temple riding a lion. People come from all around to adore the Goddess and ask for her blessings here.
Baisakhi Fair : On April 13 and 14, it is eagerly anticipated in towns like Augustamuni, Phegu, and Talatoli in the Mandakini valley. The Sun enters the Aries Rashi on this day.
Madhameshwar Mela : The Ukhimath Block headquarters is where the Madhameshwar Mela is held. After the winter migration from Madhameshwar Dham, the Second Kedar Lord Madheshwar’s Doli arrives at the Panch Kedars Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. To celebrate this occasion, a lavish Madhameshwar fair ceremony is planned. Many followers travel to the fair from various parts of the neighbourhood.
Pandava Dance : In the neighbourhood of Rudraprayag, Pandav dance is particularly well-liked. The music and dance of the Kaurava-Pandavas, who are depicted in the Mahabharata, are the inspiration for Pandava dance. After the Kurukshetra War, it is thought that Pandav and his gotra came to this area to worship Lord Shiva in order to atone for the sin of their Guru’s death. The Pandav Leela is still celebrated in this area to honour Pandav. Every holiday or fair honouring Lord Shiva is obviously celebrated with great fervour and passion because it is well known for being one of the most highly adored permanent abodes of Lord Shiva and venerated as Lord Kedar.
There are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy an unforgettable experience throughout the entire region, which is brimming with amazing historical and mythological tales. Being a part of one of these ceremonies will feel like a dream come true because of how many historical events have taken place at Kedarnath Dham and how significant it is spiritually and mythologically.
The following festivals are times when you will undoubtedly remember your trip to Kedarnath:
Ramnavami : This festival is observed on the auspicious day of Sri Ram’s birth, which falls on the ninth day of the Chaitra lunar month. The devotees dedicated this day to Lord Rama, singing “Bhajans” and worshipping him with incense sticks.
Holi : The festival of colours is joyfully observed. The people of Rudraprayag dance around bonfires and drink Thandai in addition to playing with colours.
Shivaratri : A celebration is held to praise the powerful Lord Shiva, and during this time, his temples are decked. On this day, rituals are carried out and devotional songs are sung. Even festivals are planned.
Nag Panchami : On the fifth day of Shravan, Nag Panchami, a day dedicated to giving thanks to the Nagas or serpent gods, is observed. Milk is given to the Nagas, and snake sculptures are created. Among the important holidays celebrated in the area with a lot of fanfare are Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Dussehra. Folk and spirit dances are an element of local celebrations and culture.
Diwali : Everyone who worships Shiva should unquestionably attend Kedarnath Diwali at least once in their lives. At this time, not only the temple but also all the surrounding areas are lavishly decorated with vibrant flowers and shimmering lights. More than 5,000 Diyas, which shine light into even the darkest crevices, are lit by the NIM team. Along with regular pilgrims, TV and movie actors make it a point to attend this ceremony on this particularly important eve.
People in the district have been able to preserve their culture, folklore, folk music, and folk dances because they generally live in remote mountain areas.
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