Panch Kedar Introduction
Numerous temples honouring various Hindu deities may be found all across the state of Uttarakhand. There are five such respected shrines where Lord Shiva is worshipped, and they are all found in the state's Garhwal area. These five temples, which are together referred to as " Panch Kedar", are Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.
Although all the temples hold great importance in Hindu tradition, the Kedarnath Yatra is one of the most famous ones. The second temple, which is the Tungnath temple, which is also an adventure spot and famous for the Chopta Tungnath trek, is another one of the most important and famous among these Panch Kedar temples. You can book your Kedarnath trip package with Manchala Mushafir. Here we provide the Kedarnath yatra package cost of INR 9500 per person from Haridwar to Haridwar, including your transportation, meals, guide, documentation, stay, river rafting at Rishikesh, Kedarnath Trek and many more. Similarly, we also provide the Chopta Tungnath Trek package, which you can book directly from our website.
Panch Kedar Temples Name and Location
Panch Kedar History
There are numerous mythological stories about the formation of the Panch Kedar temples. Out of these stories, one of the most famous is that after the war of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas felt guilty about killing their blood relatives and teachers in the war. They went to Lord Krishna and asked him for a solution to get rid of the sin. Lord Krishna instructed them to meet Lord Shiva, as he is the only deity who can relieve them from their sin. So they went to Kashi in search of the lord, but he was very angry with them due to the heavy bloodshed caused in the war, and he escaped from Kashi to stay at a place now in Uttarakhand known as Guptkashi. But Pandavas reached out, following him. So he went to a hamlet known as "Kedar," located in the lap of the Himalayas. The Pandavas were very determined to meet him, so they also went to Kedar village. Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and mixed it with other cattle grazing nearby to disguise them. But Bhima (one of the Pandavas) had identified him and caught him by his hump, but he started entering the earth. Pandavas had worshipped Lord Shiva and requested that he pardon them. Lord Shiva was pleased by their prayer and their feeling of guilt and appeared in his original form. The body parts of the bull appeared at five different places, now in Uttarakhand. Pandavas constructed temples around all five places. These five places are collectively known as Panch Kedar.
Panch Kedar Yatra
Panch Kedar Yatra is one of the toughest pilgrimages in India. With a total trekking distance of 114 km, which can be covered in 13 day,s starting from Haridwar to Haridwar. Trekking to all the temples has its challenges and a trekking length. Covering all the temples of Panch Kedar in one go is a challenging task that will test your mental, physical, and spiritual strength. Whatever difficulties may be linked to it, there is a famous saying that the most beautiful view comes after the hardest climb. So it is, it is extremely rewarding and satisfying. You will pass through high mountains, lush green forests, deep valleys, and beautiful rivers. All these temples are extremely beautiful, and completing the Panch Kedar yatra in one go has a special place in Hindu culture.
Distance of Panch Kedar from Other Kedar
Panch Kedar Distance from other cities
Panch Kedar Opening Dates 2026
All the Panch Kedar temples are nestled in the remote region of Uttarakhand, so they are accessible only for six months a year, from late April/May to Oct/November, and they close during the winter due to heavy snowfall. Except for Kalpeshwar (Accessible all year round), all four temples, including Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Madyamaheshwar, close during the winter.
The opening dates for 2026 have not been announced yet. Generally, it is announced on the occasion of Mahashivratri (Feb/Mar), and typically, it will coincide with the Char Dham Yatra 2026 Opening & Closing Dates
Here are the tentative opening dates for the Panch Kedar temples.
Note: The dates may be subject to change due to the weather conditions and rituals.
Panch Kedar Yatra Itinerary
Day 1:- Haridwar to Helang (Drive - 9 Hours)
Day 2:- Helang to Kalpeshwar and back to Helang, and drive to Saggar (5 to 6 Hours drive and 2 hours drive)
Day 3:- Saggar to Panar(6 to 8 hours trek)
Day 4:- Panar to Rudranath and Return to Panch Ganga (6 to 7 hours trek)
Day 5:- Panch Ganga to Mandal via Naola Pass and Anusya Devi Temple, and reach Mandal(7 to 8 hours Trek)
Day 6:- Drive from Mandal to Chopta (1 Hours Drive)
Day 7:- Chopta to Tungnath and return to Chopta and go back to Ransi (3- 4 hours Trek)
Day 8:- Ransi to Nanu (5 to 6 hours trek)
Day 9:- Nanu to Madhmaheshwar via Budha Madh (5 to 6 hours Trek)
Day 10:- Budha madh to Ransi (6 to 7 Hours Trek)
Day 11:-Ransi to Guptkashi(3 to 4 hours Drive)
Day 12:- Guptkashi to Kedarnath (2 hours drive and 6-7 hours trek)
Day 13:- Kedarnath to Guptkashi (2 hours drive and 6-7 hours trek)
Day 14:- Guptkashi to Haridwar(6-7 hours drive)
The Most Ideal Time To Visit Panch Kedar
Except Kalpeshwar Temple, all the temples of Panch Kedar remain open for just six months in a year, usually it opens in the month of May and closes in October. The best months to visit Panch Kedar are often May, June, September, and October. Due to the snow cover, Panch Kedar is closed throughout the winter.
The Lord Shiva statue from Kedarnath is moved to the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, where it is worshipped for the remaining six months. At Makkumath, they worship Tungnath's representative idol. At Gopeshwar, the symbolic Rudranath picture is brought, while at Ukhimath, the Madhyamaheshwar idol is being worshipped.
The only location that is open all year is Kalpeshwar. The Panch Kedar pilgrimage typically takes 14 days. Out of the five pilgrimages, the Kedarnath yatra is the most famous among devotees of Lord Shiva. Millions of devotees visit here by booking the Kedarnath yatra package or on their own to seek the blessings of lord shiva. Here at Manchala Mushafir, we provide the Kedarnath yatra package costing INR 9500 per person from Haridwar to Haridwar with transportation, meals, guide, documentation, luxury stay, river rafting in Rishikesh and many more.
About Panch Kedar Temples
1) Kedarnath Temple
Max elevation:- 11,755 ftBest Time:- May to June and September to October
Base Camp:- Gaurikund
Kedarnath, which was named after the Hindu king Kedar, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage location. At 3,584 metres above sea level, the Kedarnath temple is surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains and dense woods. It is located in the Rudraprayag area of Uttarakhand and is one of the most well-known Panch Kedar temples. In addition to this, it is also an integral part of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Chopta char dham yatra and Do Dham Yatra.
A Shiva lingam with a conical form, known as the hump of Shiva, is kept at the temple. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with founding the current temple, which was constructed of grey stone slabs, in the eighth or ninth century. Gaurikund is the closest motorable road to Kedarnath. Then, a 16-kilometre hike is required to get to the shrine. Even though the Kedarnath yatra involves a steep trek, it passes through beautiful scenery, which lifts travellers' spirits at all times. And thus, thousands of people go on the Kedarnath yatra every year. It is a popular belief that anyone who goes on the Kedarnath tour and pays a visit to the holy shrine gets a place in heaven. You can even book a Kedarnath tour package with Manchala Mushafir to make things easier for you. In addition to a visit to the temple, we also provide sightseeing at Devprayag and Rudraprayag, which are part of Panch Prayag and the protector god of Char Dham temples, the Dharavi Devi temple.
2) Tungnath Temple
Max elevation:- 12073 ft
Best Time:- September to June (Except July and August)
Base Camp:- Chopta
Tungnath Temple, the second temple of the Panch Kedar circuit, is located at an altitude of 3680 meters above sea level in the lap of the Himalayas. It is credited with being the highest Shiva temple on earth. It comes under the constituency of Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand.
Forelegs of Lord Shiva in the form of a bull have appeared at this place and are being worshipped. It is also believed that this is the same place where Lord Rama meditated to get rid of his sin of "Brahma Hatya." In addition to pilgrimage, Tungnath Temple is also famous as a trekking location. Chopta to Tungnath distance is just 3.5 kms and is idle for trekkers of all ages. Some of the prominent peaks visible from this temple are Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Choukhamba, and Neelkanth. Trekking trails to Tungnath Temple are very beautiful and pass through dense forest with beautiful rhododendrons welcoming you. The most famous Chandrashila Peak, or Moon Rock, is located at a distance of 1 km and is known for the spectacular 360-degree view of snow-capped mountains and deep valleys. But like other temples, this temple also remains open just for six months in a year. On the closing of the temple, the Utsav murti is transferred from this temple to Makkumath, which is one of the winter seats of the Panch Kedar temples.
3) Rudranath Temple
Max elevation:- 11800 ft
Best Time:- May to June and September to October
Base Camp:- Sagar Village
It is the spot where Shiva's face first rose above the earth. Shiva is worshipped as "Neelkanth Mahadev" at a natural rock temple situated at an altitude of 2,286 metres, surrounded by alpine meadows and dense rhododendron forests. Around the temple, there are several holy kunds (pools), including Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, and Mana Kund. The magnificent peaks of Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, and Trishul provide a stunning background. Compared to other Panch Kedar temples, the trip to get there is thought to be more difficult. The majority of the 20-kilometre treks that go to Rudranath begin at various locations in Gopeshwar (in the Chamoli district).
4) Madhyamaheswar Temple
Max elevation:- 11473 ftBest Time:- May to June and September to October
Base Camp:- Ransi
Madhyamaheswar, which is located at a height of roughly 3,289 metres, is thought to be the location where Shiva's middle or navel section first manifested. The temple is surrounded by the stunning snow-covered peaks of Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, and Neelkantha and is located in a lovely green valley in the Mansoona hamlet in the Garhwal Himalayas. Uniana, located about 18 kilometres from Ukhimath, is the starting point for a trek to Madhyamaheswar.
The journey is around 19 km long and may be easily completed up to Bantoli (about 10 km from Uniana); beyond Bantoli, the slope gets steeper and more challenging.
5) Kalpeshwar Temple
Max elevation:- 7217 ft
Best Time:- September to June
Base Camp:- Helang, Joshimath
According to mythology, Lord Shiva's hair (jatas) emerged at the Kalpeshwar temple. Shiva is also known as Jatadhari or Jateshwar because of his long, unkempt hair. At a height of 2,200 metres, the temple of Kalpeshwar is situated in the serene and beautiful Urgam valley in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The Urgam valley offers fascinating views of apple orchards and potato plantings on terraced fields, while being primarily covered in deep forest.
Kedarnath tour is the most famous among all the five temples, as it is also a part of the Char Dham Yatra, Do Dham Yatra and 12 jyotirlingas in India, which is quite famous among Hindus. You can also book a Kedarnath trip package at the best price.
Other Places To Visit Around Panch Kedar
Valley of Flowers: If you are planning to visit all or any of these Panch Kedar temples and you have some spare time, then do plan for the Valley of Flowers trek. It is one of the most amazing trekking destinations and among the very few monsoon treks in India. It is also a part of the world UNESCO World Heritage site. During the monsoon season, the valley gets covered with thousands of species of flowers. The trek to this valley will start from Joshimath, which is also a beautiful hill station. In addition to the Valley of Flowers, you also get a chance to visit the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is the highest Gurudwara.
Auli: Winter wonderland and skiing heaven of India, Auli is also on this same route, so don't forget to include it in your itinerary and take a taste of thrilling adventure activities with a beautiful landscape in the backdrop. Auli is located just 9 km from Joshimath, which is en route to the Badrinath temple.
Dhari Devi Temple: One of the most famous temples en route to the Panch Kedar Temple is Dhari Devi Temple. It is located in the middle of the Alaknanda River in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. In this temple, the upper body part of Maa Kali is being worshipped, while the lower body part is being worshipped at the Kalimath temple near Guptkashi.
Triyuginarayan temple: A divine temple on the route of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuits, near Kedarnath. Renowned as the divine wedding spot of lord Shiva and Devi Parvati's marriage, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The Triyuginarayan temple is characterised by its great spiritual significance, and well known as the Shiv Parvati marriage place sacred holy ponds, the perpetual eternal flame, and the surrounding scenery. Due to the eternal flame this place is also known as the Akhand Dhuni temple. It is accessible by road or shuttle trek via Sonprayag or Sitapur village. You can also read about how to reach the Triyuginarayan temple in our blog.
Vasuki Tal: Another beautiful Himalayan gem, a glacial lake, located at a distance of around 8 km from the Kedarnath temple in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The Vasuki Tal sits at an altitude of 4,135 meters above sea level and is surrounded by dense oak forest and deep valleys. It is accessible by a 24 km trek from Gaurikund or 8 km from the main Kedarnath temple, considered a moderately difficult trek due to its continuous ascents and rugged terrain. If you have time then you can also visit the Chorabari lake, which is another gem of this valley.
Chopta-Chandrashilla Trek: The Tungnath temple (the third temple among the Panch Kedar) is accessible via the Chopta trek that leads to the high Chandrashilla peaks, so you can explore Chopta Bugyal (often called the mini Switzerland of India) and Chandrashilla along with your Panch Kedar pilgrimage journey. The trek offers a full glimpse of Himalayan peaks such as Mt. Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. You can also check the Chopta tungnath trek package to explore these places.
Ukhimath: a sacred pilgrimage town, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 1311 meters above sea level. The place is famous for its deep spiritual significance, serving as the winter home of the Kedarnath temple and the Madhyamaheshwar temples. The Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath (where winter worship of these two temples is performed) and the surrounding scenery are key highlights of Ukhimath. The town also serves as a gateway for many scenic sites, like Chopta-Tungnath and Deoria Tal. It is accessible via air, train, and road. Haridwar and Rishikesh are the nearest railway stations, and Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport to the town.
Kalimath: Another sacred town located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, at a distance of around 6 km from Ukimath. Kalimath temple (one of the 108 shakti peeths), situated at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level on the banks of the Saraswati River, is a primary feature of this place. The temple is accessible via a short walk or drive from Ukhimath.
Badrinath: The abode of lord vishnu, part of the Sapt Badri temple, the Do Dham yatra and the Char Dham yatra, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 10,279 feet above sea level and surrounded by the Nar-Narayan mountain ranges. The temple is accessible by a road journey via Josimath road on the route of Pandukeshwar, so you can reach there along with your Panch Kedar Yatra. The temple is open for six months in the year, from May to October. In addition to this, you can also visit Mana village, which is also known as the first village of India and Vasudhra falls, which is the mysterious waterfall of India.
Mana Village: a picturesque village, located on the Badrinath temple route at a distance of around 3 km. The Mana village is renowned for its diverse culture and unique flora and fauna. Featured by many sacred caves (Ganesh Gufa and Vyas Gufa), a sacred pul and natural beauty, Vasudhara fall is one of the most famous attractions from Mana village. They provide an opportunity for cultural walks and nature photography.
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Panch kedar FAQ'S
What are the five Kedars?
Kedarnath, Tungnath, Madhmaheshwar, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar temples are collectively known as Panch Kedar or five Kedars. As per holy scriptures, it is believed that after disappearing from Kedarnath, lord shiva appeared at five different locations in the form of lingas. Temples at these five locations are known as the five Kedars.
Which is the highest Panch Kedar?
Located at an altitude of 12,106 feet above sea level, Tungnath is considered to be the highest Panch Kedar Temple. While Rudranath, located at an altitude of 11,800 feet above sea level, is the second-highest of the panch kedar temples. Other temples like Madhmaheshwar are located at an altitude of 11473 feet, Kedarnath at 11755 feet, and Kalpeshwar is at a height of 7217 feet.
Which Panch Kedar to visit first?
There is no such fixed sequence of visits to Panch Kedar, but it’s a common tradition to visit to Kedarnath temple first.
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