The holy town of Kedarnath has always remained untouched by time. Located at the foot of the Himalayas, Kedarnath is also known as the gateway to Badrinath. This place is famous for its natural beauty and religious significance. Often referred to as the highest Shiva temple in the world, it is located just 3 km from Chopta and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. Kedarnath is one of the key destinations for Chardham Yatra by Helicopter along with Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath.

Kedarnath is located at a distance of around 86 km from Rudraprayag. If you are going to Kedarnath for the first time, it is worth knowing that there are several places to see in Kedarnath. So, let's find out what makes Kedarnath an exciting place to explore!

1. Sonprayag

Sonprayag (also known as Sonpur) is a town and a municipal board in Uttarakhand, India. It lies at the confluence of the river Basuki and Mandakini. It is firmly believed that taking a dip in the holy waters of Sonprayag washes away all your sins and takes you to the path of Nirvana. It also has a religious relevance to a place of marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

1. Shankaracharya Samadhi in Kedarnath

it is believed that Shankarayacharya established the holy shrine of Kedarnath and is also credited for the Char Dham Circuit, considered the most revered site in Hinduism to attain moksha. He is believed to achieve nirvana at 32 and is known for establishing four mathas.

1. Vasuki Tal in Kedarnath

It is one of the highest glacial tal located in Kedarnath, with a moderately difficult trek. The nearest road to head Vasuki Tal is Gaurikund. Visiting Vasuki Tal is most suitable during the fall and spring seasons. Walking beside the Chaturanga glacier is a memorable experience. Camping along the Vasuki Tal is truly blissful.

1. Bhairavnath Temple

This temple is profoundly located 500 m away from the renowned Kedarnath Temple. Dedicated to the Hindi God Lord Bhairva, you will enjoy the pristine view of Himalaya valley as the temple is perched on the top of a hill lock. The temple's enshrining deity, Ksetrapal, is believed to safeguard the Kedarnath region with a dog as a vehicle and Trishul as a weapon.

1. Triyuginarayan

According to Hinduism, this place is renowned as the place of the wedding of Parvati and Lord Shiva. Just a 5 kms trek away from the Sonprayag, the temple attracts devotees for its flame, which is believed to be the witness of the marriage of Lord Shiva. This flame is thought to still enlighten the temple even after several centuries.

1. Chandrashila

It is a mesmerizing trekking range located at a height of 3679m. Chadrashilla means the moon rock is the summit of the Chandranath parvat. There is a famous Shiva temple - Tungnath Temple, located at this mountain's peak that attracts devotees worldwide. It is one of the significant temples among the Panch Kedar. According to legends, it is believed that Lord Rama meditated here after defeating the Ravana.

1. Guptakashi

Located around 50 kms away from the Kedarnath Temple, the temples of Vishwanath Ji ad Ardhnareshwar make Guptakashi a famous spot among pilgrims. The blissful backdrops of the Chaukhamba mountains will enthrall you. It is a large town in Uttrakhand located at an altitude of 1319 kms. Known as the 'hidden Kashi, it is also associated with the epic of Mahabharata, according to Hinduism. It is also a prime spot for Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter.

1. Gaurikund

Also referred to as the starting point of Kedarnath Yatra, it is the last motorable to Kedarnath. After Gaurikund, the trek for Kedarnath begins. Referred to as the base camp for the Kedarnath yatra, the hot spring at Gaurikund is one of the holiest sites in Hinduism. It is believed that a holy dip in Gauri Kund washes away all your sins. Named after Goddess Parvati, it is thought that Gaurikund is a place of bathing for the goddess before commencing her prayers for Lord Shiva.

1. Rudra Meditation Cave

Recently grabbed the spotlight when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meditated here before the 2019 elections. It is an underground meditation cave located just 1 km from Kedarnath. The accommodation for a single person is available here, and the cave is maintained by Garwhal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) with basic amenities.