Kedarnath VIP Darshan Booking & Ticket Price (2026 Guide)
📌 Book only via badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in or the official BKTC counter — nowhere else.
Kedarnath VIP Darshan isn't a separate ticket you buy at a window — it's priority sanctum access bundled with an official BKTC puja booking, priced from ₹1,100 (Ashtopachaar/Panchopachaar Puja) up to ₹51,000 (Entire Puja of the Day). It cuts the general queue from 3–8 hours down to roughly 15–30 minutes. A helicopter ticket booked via IRCTC HeliYatra does not automatically include it — that has to be booked separately. Many devotees combine it with a complete Kedarnath Package for a smoother pilgrimage.
Disclaimer: This information is based on official guidelines of Shri Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and on-ground yatra experience. Puja availability, timings, and charges may change as per temple administration rules.
- How to Book Kedarnath VIP Darshan — Online
- How to Book Kedarnath VIP Darshan — Offline (At the Temple)
- Kedarnath VIP Darshan Price List 2026 — Official BKTC Rates
- Documents Required For VIP Darshan
- Kedarnath VIP Darshan Timings
- VIP vs Normal Darshan, and Crowd by Month
- Sparsh Darshan in Kedarnath
- Can Helicopter Passengers Get VIP Darshan?
- Is Kedarnath VIP Darshan Genuine? How to Avoid Fraud
- Who Should Opt for It, and Is It Worth It?
- FAQs Of Kedarnath VIP Darshan
How to Book Kedarnath VIP Darshan — Online
The official booking site is run by the Shri Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) itself — there is no other genuine online source.
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Offline booking happens one day before your darshan date, at the counter beside the temple. The counter opens at 5:00 PM, the line usually starts forming around 10–11 PM, and around 120 VIP puja slots are issued per day — they can sell out during peak yatra months, so book 1–2 days ahead where possible, or ask your tour coordinator to book on your behalf in advance if you're travelling as part of a Kedarnath Yatra Package.
There is no fixed date when online booking opens for a season — keep checking the official website regularly if you're planning ahead.
Kedarnath VIP Darshan Price List 2026 — Official BKTC Rates, ₹1,100 to ₹51,000
Sourced directly from the official BKTC online puja booking portal, last verified September 30, 2026 — these are the pujas you personally attend that get you priority sanctum access.
| Puja Name | Price | People Covered | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtopachaar Puja | ₹1,100 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | A short group ritual with priority sanctum access — the most budget-friendly option. |
| Panchopachaar Puja | ₹1,100 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | Same price tier as Ashtopachaar, a slightly different ritual sequence. |
| Entire Evening Aarti (also called Sampurna Aarti) | ₹3,100/person | 1 | An hour sitting near the idol during the evening aarti (6–7:30 PM), with time to touch it. |
| Laghurudrabhishek Puja | ₹7,100 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | A shorter version of the Rudrabhishek ritual. |
| Rudrabhishek Puja | ₹7,500 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | A dedicated Rudra ritual inside the sanctum. |
| Shodashopachaar Puja | ₹7,500 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | A traditional 16-step ritual (Shodashopachaar = "16 offerings"), performed 12–4 AM. |
| Mahabhishek Puja | ₹11,500 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | The most complete individual abhishek ritual. |
| Entire Puja of the Day (also called Whole Day Puja) | ₹51,000 (+2 extra allowed, rate not published) | Up to 5 (+2) | A full day in the temple compound including Rudra Abhishek and Sparsh Darshan — the fullest option. |
Also available (3 persons per booking): Shiv Ashtotari Path (₹1,500, 5 min), Shiv Tandav Strotam Path (₹2,100, 12 min), Shiv Sahashtranaam Path (₹2,500, 10 min), Shiv Namawali (₹2,500, 15 min), Shiv Mahimanstrotam Path (₹2,500, 12 min), and Shiv Parakshamastrotam Path (₹2,500, 12 min) — short recitation pujas, each a scaled-down alternative to the main pujas above.
The official portal states each group puja above allows up to 2 additional people beyond the base group of 5, but does not publish the per-extra-person rate — confirm this at the counter or during online checkout. The price is fixed for the group size shown even if you travel with fewer people — e.g. Shodashopachaar Puja is ₹7,500 whether you are 5 people or 2, so it works out cheaper per person the closer you get to a full group.
If you are planning to visit Badrinath as well, check the Badrinath VIP Darshan process and pricing separately — rates and pujas differ between the two temples.
Documents Required For VIP Darshan
Carry these when you book and again at the temple entry checkpoint:
- A valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card generally accepted)
- Your booking receipt or confirmation slip
- Kedarnath Yatra Registration slip — not required to make the VIP booking itself, but it may be asked for at checkpoints, and it's mandatory to complete the yatra regardless
Kedarnath VIP Darshan Timings
Two different things are being timed here, so they don't contradict each other: online bookings can be submitted any time between 12:00 AM and 7:30 PM for a future date, while the table below is the temple's actual daily schedule — when each puja and darshan slot physically happens on the day itself.
| Activity | Timing |
|---|---|
| VIP/Puja Darshan (e.g. Shodashopachaar) | 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM |
| Morning Abhishek/Aarti (Mahabhishek) | 4:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Morning Darshan (general) | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Temple Closed (Bhog/Rest) | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan (general) | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Evening Aarti / Entire Evening Aarti puja | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
Within the morning Abhishek window, Abhishek Puja itself runs roughly 4:00–4:30 AM, with Maha Abhishek and Rudrabhishek continuing to about 7:00 AM, after which general darshan opens.
Pro Tip: Check the Kedarnath Opening Date 2026 before booking — darshan facilities are available only after the temple opens for the season.
VIP Darshan vs Normal Darshan, and Crowd by Month
| Factor | Normal Darshan | VIP Darshan |
| Waiting Time | 3-8 Hours | 15-30 Minutes |
| Sparsh Darshan | Allowed (1-2 minutes) | Allowed (15-20 minutes) |
| Crowd | Heavy | Limited |
| Cost | Free | ₹1,100+ |
| Best For | Budget Pilgrims | Families, Senior Citizens |
Crowd flow varies by month — based on our on-ground observations over 8 years of organising the trip, here's the estimated wait for a normal darshan by month, to help you judge whether VIP Darshan is worth it for your dates:
| Month | Normal Queue Time |
| May | 4-8 hours |
| June | 2-6 hours |
| July | 30-40 minutes |
| August | 30-40 minutes |
| September | 2-6 hours |
| October | 2-4 hours |
Sparsh Darshan in Kedarnath: What It Means And How to Get It
Sparsh Darshan means being close enough to the Shivalinga to touch it and offer worship directly, instead of viewing it from a distance in a moving queue — it's one of the biggest reasons devotees look for VIP Darshan in the first place.
In the free general queue it's technically allowed, but only for 1–2 minutes after a 3–8 hour wait, and during peak season (May–June) it can become impossible as crowd pressure keeps the line moving. Arriving early around 3–4 AM gives the best real chance at an unhurried Sparsh Darshan in the general queue.
With a VIP puja booking, the wait drops to 15–30 minutes and you get roughly 15–20 minutes near the Shivalinga — see the price table above for which pujas include it and at what cost.
Can Helicopter Passengers Get VIP Darshan?
An IRCTC HeliYatra ticket covers air transport only — it does not automatically include VIP Darshan or puja access. Helicopter passengers need to book VIP Darshan separately, the same way any other pilgrim does: through the official BKTC portal in advance, or at the authorised counter beside the temple.
Be careful at the helipads themselves (Phata, Sirsi and others) — unauthorised people sometimes offer to arrange "VIP darshan" or a priority slip for cash on the spot. Treat any such offer the same way you'd treat one near the temple: only pay at an official BKTC counter and insist on a proper receipt. See the fraud section below for how these scams typically work.
Is Kedarnath VIP Darshan Genuine? How to Avoid Fraud
⚠ Read this before you book
Yes, Kedarnath VIP Darshan is genuine. It is officially sanctioned and managed by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), the same body that runs the temple itself, and it works through paid puja bookings — never through a separate "VIP pass" sold outside the system.
The confusion mostly comes from fake agents and unauthorized sellers who target pilgrims online, near the temple base, and at the helipads, especially during peak season. To stay safe:
- Book only through the official BKTC portal (badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in) or authorized counters — never through unknown numbers, social media links, or agents.
- Always get and check your official receipt after booking and payment.
- Be extra cautious during May–June, when demand and fraud attempts both peak.
You may also come across the term "Sugam Darshan" and a ₹1,100 fee. As of BKTC's May 2026 announcement, this is a paid priority-queue slip available to every pilgrim, not just government-protocol guests — introduced specifically to cut queue time for elderly visitors, women, and anyone with health concerns. Book it only through the official BKTC portal or the on-site counter — never through agents or social media links.
Local reports from Rudraprayag have documented pilgrims being charged as much as ₹2,500 by unauthorized operators for fake "Sugam Darshan" or "VIP darshan" slips. Stick to the official BKTC puja bookings and the official Sugam Darshan counter — that remains the only genuine route to priority darshan for regular pilgrims.
Ticket and pass fraud isn't unique to VIP Darshan — it's a wider problem around Kedarnath travel. See our detailed breakdown of the Kedarnath helicopter booking scam for the tactics fraudsters commonly use, so you can spot and avoid them.
Who Should Opt for It, and Is It Worth It?
VIP Darshan is worth it for most pilgrims during peak season, when it saves the physical strain of standing in long queues and protects the time you actually have for the spiritual experience itself. It particularly suits:
- Senior citizens and devotees with health concerns who may find it difficult to stand in long queues at high altitude — see our blog on Is Kedarnath Safe for Senior Citizens.
- Families travelling with children, where long waiting hours can be tiring.
- Pilgrims visiting during peak season (May–June and September–October), when the general queue can run 2–3 km and 6–8 hours.
- Devotees on a tight schedule, including helicopter yatra passengers.
- Anyone who wants an unhurried Sparsh Darshan rather than 1–2 minutes in the free queue.
If your budget or dates don't work for VIP Darshan, regular darshan is completely free and not mandatory to skip — arriving early (3–4 AM) or after the midday break (around 2 PM) gives you the best chance at a shorter wait and some Sparsh Darshan time in the general queue.
Many devotees prefer covering Kedarnath as part of a Char Dham Yatra Package, which bundles travel, accommodation and darshan planning together. Pilgrims with limited time may also consider Kedarnath Helicopter Booking alongside VIP Darshan — just book both only through authorised channels; see our blog on Kedarnath helicopter ticket fraud for what to watch for.
The Uttarakhand government may temporarily restrict VIP Darshan during extreme crowd periods — always check the latest rules from BKTC before finalising your plan.
FAQs Of Kedarnath VIP Darshan
