When Should I Plan My Kedarnath Yatra in 2024?
When Should I Plan My Kedarnath Yatra in 2024?
Blog Article
Travelling to Kedarnath Dham is a form of pilgrimage that is dedicated to the Hindu religion; therefore, it is worthy of consideration of some factors. Kedarnath is a sacred temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and, being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is located in the Garhwal Himalayas of the Uttarakhand state of India. Kedarnath Dham Yatra also includes trekking that is physically challenging at high altitudes with tough and challenging weather conditions.
The Kedarnath Yatra normally starts in the last week of April or the first week of May and Ends on Diwali, which falls in mid-October or Early November. The exact dates also change every year depending on the auspicious timings and the temple authorities declare the dates.
Opening & Closing Dates Of The Kedarnath Dham Yatra
The opening dates are declared by the temple’s priest at Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath every year. In general, the temple remains closed throughout the year but it is opened on Akshaya Tritiya day. Therefore the Kedarnath Dham was opened for general public on 10th May of the year 2024. It is true the opening ceremony is a great occasion and is religious and the devotees from all over the temple circle come to the temple for the opening ceremony.
Therefore, the temple will be closed to the public by the end of October 2024 on the occasion of Bhai Bij or Bhai Dooj. After this, no pilgrim/tourist is allowed to continue to the tour because of something like severe weather. Thus, pilgrims must cover the Kedarnath Dham Yatra before the closing dates to have a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey in the picturesque backdrop of the Himalayas.
Best Time To Plan Kedarnath Dham Yatra
Now, let’s check the best time to plan the Kedarnath Yatra.
May
May month is when the temple opens for darshan. This is when the summer arrives, the roads get cleared, and traveling is comfortable. The temperature is also comfortable. Besides that, the skies are clear, and the night temperature may drop. Hence, you need to carry some warm clothes. Besides that, you can expect a good crowd since it is the time when the temple opens. Hence, if you are planning to visit the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in May, then you should consider this. Also, the Chardham Yatra by helicopter is functional during this time.
June
June is another month for the summer season. Therefore, you can imagine the huge number of devotees that will be attending the Kedarnath temple in June. The monsoons begin a bit late in the last week of June, though the first few days are still warm and pleasant. Therefore, expect some landslides and road closures late in the month. Hence, if you are planning to be on the road, take along safety essentials like raincoats, umbrellas, etc. Don’t plan your Chardham Yatra By road during this time.
July-August
Do not plan the Kedarnath Dham Yatra between these months, as this is when the region experiences high rainfall. Thus, it increases the chances of floods and landslides. The government also advises not to plan the Yatra during this period.
September
The next period for the Yatra is September. Beautiful greenery, tremendous waterfalls, and exotic flowers of the Himalayas are spectacular. As monsoons are no longer around due to their unpredictable climate, the possibility of having things like landslides, mudslides, etc., is also minimized. Besides, the number of visitors is also comparatively lower in September, even during weekends and festive seasons. The temperature is also comfortable but can drop at night. So carry warm clothing with you.
September enables one to undertake the Valley of Flowers trek. You can expect rainfall. Thus, we must bring umbrellas/raincoats and set loose a schedule.
October
October is the perfect time to refresh spiritually, which may be why people are looking to get away. Mild and bearable temperatures during the day require moderate wear of woolen clothing. Beautiful sunshine fringing verdant pastures make the Kedarnath Dham Yatra enjoyable and memorable.
As the winters are near, technically, the snowflakes may start covering the Himalayas. Thankfully, October gets to watch one of the most marvelous scenes in the region – the fresh snowfall around the Kedarnath shrine. This is beautiful, divine joy accompanied by a fairy-tale snow-white environment! However, beware of sudden below-average temperatures or snow at the end of October as winter comes in. Also, carry warm clothing with you also.
November – April
During November, the temple closes for winter. Heavy snowfall causes road closures. Hence, this is not the ideal time to plan the Yatra.
Conclusion
Although the Kedarnath Temple is open throughout the month of April end and all of November, the ideal time to undertake the Kedarnath Dham Yatra without any inconvenience is between the months of May, June, September, and mid-October. Make sure that you have a schedule for leisure travels, book a hotel, and also make bookings for any flight or train. Take the required equipment and medicines and have an open mind and an open heart to get the best spiritual tour to Kedarnath Dham. Happy journey to the abode of Lord Shiva. May it be a wonderful and delightful one! Report this page