Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Temple is a famous pilgrimage site in the Himalayan region.

The areas surrounding this holy site are also home to major attractions for tourists and devotees, including lakes, snow-capped mountains, scenic rivers, and tranquil caves. These places will make your Kedarnath Temple pilgrimage even more special. They combine spirituality and natural beauty, providing an unforgettable experience for tourists and devotees.

10 Important Places to Visit in Kedarnath:

1. Vasuki Tal

About 8 kilometers from Kedarnath Temple, this beautiful lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains at an altitude of 16,332 feet in the Himalayas. It is believed that bathing in the pure waters of this lake washes away sins and gives salvation. Vasuki Tal is a great place for devotees and travelers to visit after completing the Kedarnath spiritual pilgrimage.

2. Gandhi Sarovar (Sorabari Tal)

3 kilometers from Kedarnath Temple, surrounded by the Himalayas and with natural beauty, this lake is called “Clear Lake” because its water looks like a mirror. In 1948, the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed here, hence this lake is also called “Gandhi Sarovar”.

3. Bhairavnath Temple:

A holy place located on a hilltop about 500 meters above Kedarnath Temple. It is believed that Lord Shiva in this temple transforms into the guardian form of “Kala Bhairav” and is the guardian of Kedarnath Temple. When Kedarnath Temple is closed, worship continues at the Bhairavnath Temple.

4. Guptakasi:

Located on the way to Kedarnath Temple, this town has gained spiritual importance due to the Vishwanath and Arthanariswarar temples. After the Mahabharata War, it is said that Lord Shiva hid here with Goddess Parvati to avoid the Pandavas when they came to visit Lord Shiva. In the Arthanariswarar Temple here, Shiva and Parvati are depicted in a combined form.

5. Sonaprayag:

Located at the confluence of the Sonaprayag, Mandakini and Basuki Ganga rivers, this place is one of the important places of the Kedarnath pilgrimage. According to the Puranas, it is believed that bathing here washes away the sins of life and attains salvation.

6. Triyuginarayan Temple:

Triyuginarayan Temple is a famous Vishnu temple located near the Kedarnath temple. It is believed that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place in this temple. The main attraction of this temple is the lamp called “Akanda Jyoti” which is believed to have been burning continuously for three ages.

7. Gaurikund:

Gaurikund is where the Kedarnath temple pilgrimage begins. It is believed that Goddess Parvati performed severe penance here to marry Lord Shiva. Devotees come to take a holy dip in the hot spring here. This hot spring is believed to reflect the power of Goddess Parvati.

8. Rudra Meditation Cave:

Rudra Meditation Cave is a peaceful cave located in a natural environment near the snow-capped mountains and the Mandakini River near the Kedarnath Temple. Travelers who want to be in touch with peace and spirituality can book a stay and meditate here. There are basic and special facilities for meditation and yoga. The cave has become very popular after the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, meditated here in 2019.

9. Kalimat Temple:

The Kalimat Temple near the Kedarnath Temple is considered to be the secret place of Shakti. According to the Puranas, it is believed that Goddess Kali hid the Shakti here in the ground after destroying the Rakta Bijan. Accordingly, instead of the idol of Goddess Kali, as in other Shakti temples, a Shakti Peetha is used for worship. This temple is considered one of the 108 Shakti Peethas. Only during the special puja held on the night of Diwali, the temple priest opens the floor and offers darshan of the power of Goddess Kali.

10. Adi Shankaracharya Memorial:

Adi Shankaracharya Memorial is located in a peaceful place surrounded by snow-capped mountains behind the Kedarnath temple. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya, who established Sanatana Dharma and spread the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta to the world, left his worldly life here and went to Kailash.