For a Shiva devotee, Kedarnath is the holiest shrine for Lord Shiva. One of the 4 Dhams, the Kedarnath in Uttarakhand is also one of the country’s most visited Pilgrimage sites. People from all over the world visit this location to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Set amidst the Garhwal Himalayas at the tip of the Mandakini River, the temple is perched at 3500 meters. Due to the extreme weather, the temple remains closed for 6 months and open for the next 6 months. Knowing the best time to visit Kedarnath is important to plan a successful visit to this location. The journey to this temple is not like any other journey. It takes a lot of effort and resilience to reach here finally.
Knowing the ideal time to visit the temple is extremely important. The weather conditions and when the temple remains open are crucial in planning a visit to Kedarnath. In this article, I will mention the best time to visit Kedarnath Temple and the pros and cons of the various seasons. This article will also help you determine the best time to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath together. So keep reading this article because it will be helpful if you plan a trip to this location.
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Best time to visit Kedarnath
The best time to visit Kedarnath Temple is the summer season. Moreover the time of the summer season from April to June is the time when the Kedarnath Yatra takes place. It continues till the time of pre-winter months. You can visit Kedarnath from September to October. From the month of November to March, however, the temple remains closed due to extremely harsh weather conditions. Due to the heavy snowfall, the roads remain completely closed, and it is almost inaccessible to reach here during this time. During the summer, it is the peak period for reaching the temple. The temperature remains at check, and the way to get it here is easy and comfortable. However, the monsoon months from July to August are months that you should avoid a visit. Due to excessive rainfall, the trail to the temple becomes unsafe.
Kedarnath in Summer ( April to June )
April
The summer season is the best time to visit Kedarnath. The temperature is comfortable, ranging between 15 degrees to 30 degrees. The weather is mildly cool with an occasional breeze, making it extremely enjoyable in summer weather. However, the snow melts in April, so it’s mostly chilly. The April temperature in Kedarnath ranges from -3 degrees to 8 degrees. Days are better when the sun shines bright, but the evenings get cold. During the night, it sometimes gets too chilly. So if you are visiting during this time, you should be prepared for that weather. April is also comfortably the best time to Visit Kedarnath in the snow. This is when you can still see the remaining snow while it starts to melt after the harsh winter.
May
In May the temperature rises a little and ranges between 0 degrees to 5 degrees mostly. This is the time of the Kedarnath Yatra, and May is by far the most crowded month for visiting the Kedarnath. Most of the devotees start their Kedarnath Yatra or Char Dham Yatra at this time. If you are staying around this time, you will have to be prepared to face a lot of crowds. Also for the tickets and booking you have to do everything in advance. Even though it is the summer season, the temperature here is quiet on the lower side. So make sure you carry enough woollens with you. Sometimes, the temperature gets down to 0 degrees at night, and that’s too chilly to take.
June
This is ideally the best time to visit Kedarnath weather-wise, as the temperature and the weather are both too pleasant. The temperature ranges between 4 degrees and 15 degrees during this time, which makes it comfortable for trekking and sightseeing. The daytime is beautiful and sunny, making for a pleasant visit.
Kedarnath in Monsoon ( July to September )
Planning a Kedarnath trip during the monsoon season can be risky. The area receives hefty rainfall, and the chances of landslides increase to a greater extent. This can further lead to blockage of routes, and hence, it will lead to delays in the journey as well. Even though the temple remains open during this time, ideally, this is not a peak season, so fewer people visit here during these months. Also, if you want to see the temple with fewer crowds, you can plan a visit. This is the best time to Visit Kedarnath with less crowd.
July
July is the first month of the monsoon in Kedarnath. In July, the area receives moderate rainfall, and the temperature ranges between 6 degrees and 15 degrees. However, the cloudy and unpredictable weather makes the journey hard for the devotees.
August
The temperature in August ranges from 8 degrees to 14 degrees. The mornings can get humid with cloudy weather, but the nights are comfortable and chilly when the temperature drops. If you are travelling around this time, wear warm clothes for the night. Also, it would help if you had a raincoat or umbrella during this time. The journeys can get delayed with the weather conditions, so there can be more halts and longer waiting times as well.
September
Since September, the rain has decreased slightly, making it an excellent time to visit Kedarnath. The temperature is also comfortable this month, ranging between 3 and 12 degrees. During this time, the devotees also started going to Kedarnath in large numbers again.
Kedarnath in Winter ( October to March )
This region experiences subzero temperatures during the winter, which is too harsh and freezing. The temple also remains shut from November due to excessive heavy snowfall. The temperature ranges between 0 degrees to 20 degrees, with occasional sunny days. Even though the temple remains closed, if you are willing to enjoy the captivating beauty of Kedarnath amidst snowfall, you can plan a trip during this period. This is the best time to visit Kedarnath for snowfall. You can explore the beautiful snow-capped peaks and the snow-covered region that looks like a dreamland. But also remember that many roads get blocked due to snow, and the weather is too freezing to take.
Also, as the temple remains closed during these months, the idol of Kedarnath shifts from the temple to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath in the district of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand. This is the deity’s winter abode for the following months. The Omkareshwar Temple is one of the most popular and oldest shrines of Lord Shiva. Many devotees visit one of the Panch Kailash Dham during winter to seek the blessings of God.
October
During this time, the temperature ranges from 1 degree to 5 degrees on average. If you are visiting here during this time, you must carry heavy woollens, as the region also gets really cold with the chilly wind. So be prepared for that situation as well.
November
The month of November is when the temperature drops even further. The average temperature in November ranges between 4 degrees and -10 degrees. Also, this is the time of heavy snowfall in Kedarnath. The whole area gets covered in white snow. Also, in November, after Diwali on Bhai Dooj, the Kedarnath Temple closes.
December
The months of December are too harsh in Kedarnath. Moreover, the temperature dips down and ranges between -2 degrees and -10 degrees. Also, this is the time of heavy snowfall in this area. Mostly, the region becomes inaccessible during this time. The Kedarnath Yatra also remains completely closed during this time. With the road blockage and harsh weather, it is not advisable to visit Kedarnath during this time.
January
This is again one of the harshest winter months in Kedarnath, with heavy snowfall. The temperature ranges between -18 degrees and -4 degrees. With the temple closed, this is one of the months when the town gets calm, with very few people. With the onset of winter, it becomes practically impossible to visit here during this time.
February
February also experiences snowfall in Kedarnath, with temperatures ranging from -17 to -3 degrees. The weather remains excessively chilly and unfavourable during a visit.
March
In March, the weather starts getting bearable, with temperatures rising above subzero. The average temperature ranges between -12 degrees and 1 degree.
Wrapping Up!
After reading this article, I am sure you now know when you can visit Kedarnath. I have specifically mentioned all the seasons, temperatures, and weather. In conclusion, the best time to visit Kedarnath would be the summer season, which is also the peak season. The temperature will be most comfortable, and you can visit the temple more peacefully without weather constraints and restrictions. Also, this pilgrimage season is the best time to visit Kedarnath by helicopter. And you can opt for trekking as well if it permits you. You must avoid visiting during monsoon or the winter season here. At this time, the weather would be too challenging for you to deal with, along with poor road conditions. So now you should plan accordingly for a visit to this holy site. Please let me know if this article will help you plan the Kedarnath Yatra. Also, when are you planning a visit to this temple? Please let me know if there is anything else that you would like to know about this spot.
