Panch Kedar Yatra Package

Best Time to Visit Panch Kedar Dham

The five temples of the Panch Kedar Dhams are spread in different parts and therefore they have different opening and closing months. However, if you’re thinking of getting Panch Kedar Yatra Packages and completing your entire temple tour in one go, then the common window is from May to June and September to October. If you’re looking for a temple-wise breakdown of what time is best for the tour, then read on…

Kedarnath

Located in the Rudraprayag district in the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand, the temple stays open from May to October. During this period, you’ll be greeted with pleasant summers and clear, blue skies – ideal for temple visits and nearby sightseeing.

Tungnath

This Tungnath Dham is also located in the Rudraprayag district of the hilly state of Uttarakhand. The shrine stays open for a whole seven months of the year – from May to November. You’ll experience pleasantly cool summers with little snowfall towards the end of October.

Rudranath

Perched in the dense forests of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, the Rudranath Dham stays open only for a short season of June to September as the region faces extreme weather during the remaining part of the year.

Madhyamaheshwar

Surrounded by Himalayan peaks, the shrine is visitable from May to October. Expect pleasant weather overall except for cold mornings and evenings.

Kalpeshwar

This is ideal for people who love some winter pilgrimages as the shrine stays open throughout the year. The weather stays pleasant throughout the year with a bearable cold in the winter seasons.

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History of Panch Kedar Temples

The legend of the Panch Kedar Temples is deeply linked with Mahabharata. The history of the sacred Dhams is associated with Pandava’s search for Lord Shiva in the quest for receiving forgiveness and ultimately attaining Moksha.

Pandavas and Lord Shiva

After the Kurukshetra War concluded, the Pandavas felt immense guilt for killing their brothers. The sins of Brahmahatya and Gotra Hatya were burdening them. To get rid of this huge Karmic debt, Lord Krishna suggested they seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva.

However, Lord Shiva was very displeased with the destruction that war had caused to nature and the world. He decided not to forgive Pandavas so easily. When Pandavas visited the God at Guptkashi, he transformed himself into a bull to avoid them and moved further up in the mountains.

Pandavas followed him and Bhima, the strongest of all the Pandavas, tried to catch the bull at Kedarnath. To avoid his capture, the bull took a dive into the ground, leaving his hump behind. It’s said that the remaining parts of the bull appeared at different locations and now they are together known as Panch Kedar Temples.

• Kedarnath -The hump was left here.
• Tungnath -Arms of Lord Shiva appeared here
• Rudranath -The Face of Shiva emerged here
• Madhyamaheshwar -The Navel and Stomach of Shiva reside here
• Kalpeshwar – The Hair and Head of Shiva are at this site

The Pandavas built temples at all these locations and worshipped God. Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion, forgave them eventually and cleansed their sins. Devotees take the Panch Kedar Yatra Packages to comfortably visit these highly sacred sites of Lord Shiva.

The Glorious 5 Temples of Panch Kedar Yatra

The Panch Kedar Yatra is one of the most pious journeys in the whole Hinduism. People from all over the country take a rather strenuous journey in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The Panch Kedar Dham tour is truly a journey of faith, endurance, and devotion! Here are the five sacred temples of The Panch Kedar Dham:

1. Kedarnath – Hump of Lord Shiva

Perched at a high altitude of 3,583 m in the Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, this is the most revered Panch Kedar Temple. Not only is this a sacred Panch Kedar temple, but also a Jyotirlinga and one of The Chardhams! Located at the Mandakini River banks, the shrine is surrounded by majestic Himalayan peaks that add to its aura and vibe.

2. Tungnath – Arms of Lord Shiva

Situated at 3,680 m, this temple has the reputation of being the highest temple of Lord Shiva in the entire world! The Tungnath shrine exhibits unique architecture and has been standing strong for over a thousand years! It has a unique history as well which is associated with Ravana and his deep penance to Lord Shiva.

3. Rudranath – The Face of Lord Shiva

Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at a height of 3,600 m, Rudranath is the toughest temple to reach in the entire Panch Kedar circuit. Also, the shrine is the only Panch Kedar Temple, where Lord Shiva’s head is worshipped. Moreover, you’ll love the scenery of the temple, being riddled with dense rhododendron forests and hills like Nanda Devi, Trishul, & other peaks.

4. Madhyamaheshwar – The Navel of Lord Shiva

Perched at 3,497 m in the Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, Madhyamaheshwar is known for exhibiting peaceful and divine ambiance – ideal for meditation. In addition, the serene ambiance of the temple is supplemented with snow-clad Himalayan peaks and picturesque Alpine meadows!

5. Kalpeshwar – Hair of Lord Shiva

Situated at the lofty height of 2,200 m, the holy shrine is nestled in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This is the only Panch Kedar Temple that stays open throughout the year and therefore, is also known as the eternal abode of Lord Shiva. The shrine is also associated with immortality for the same reason.

Top Things to Do on Your Panch Kedar Yatra

Your Panch Kedar Dham trip is more than just a pilgrimage! It’s also about spiritual awakening, exploring beautiful Himalayan landscapes, and embarking on adventures in the hilly areas. Read on to find the best things to do on your Panch Kedar Yatra!

1. Seek Blessings at the Panch Kedar Temples

Offer your heartiest prayers at the Panch Kedar Temples. Also, take part in temple rituals like Aarti, Abhishekam, offering water/milk at the Lingam, etc. And then, seek the blessings of the Lord Shiva.

2. Trek through the Himalayas

Put on your sports shoes and set out for a trekking journey across the lush meadows of the Himalayas. Explore the rugged trails, dense cover of forests, and verdant valleys with a jagged skyline and backdrop of snow-capped mountains! Moreover, the trek to Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar is quite challenging, however, they are also more scenic!

3. Witness Picture-Perfect Sunrises & Sunsets

To witness one of the best sunrises of your life, go to the Chandrashila Peak, located near the Tungnath Temple. Experience the first rays of the sun hitting the horizon with beautiful views of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba peaks in the background!
Also, experience the mesmerizing views of the sun going down at the Rudranath meadows. And watch the sky filled with gorgeous hues of pink and orange – a sight to remember and capture!

4. Explore the Local Culture and Cuisine

Travellers love to explore the native scene as well on their Panch Kedar Yatra. Interact with the locals who are known to be warm and experience their one-of-a-kind hospitality. Also, try the delicious local Garhwali cuisine with dishes like Jhangora kheer, Mandua roti, Himalayan chocolate, Buransh juice, and many more!

5. Take a Holy Dip in Sacred Rivers

The Panch Kedar temples also house sacred rivers like the Mandakini River in Kedarnath and the Madhyamaheshwar Ganga in Madhyamaheshwar. It’s a tradition for devotees to take a bath in these holy rivers before proceeding for Darshan in the temples. Moreover, it’s also said that the Kalpeshwar stream has healing properties and is, therefore, quite touristy.

6. Camp under the Stars in the Himalayas

See the stars of the Milky Way like never before by camping near the Panar Bugyal (falls on the Rudranath trek) or Chopta (falls on the Tungnath trek). Experience the star-dense sky and nights in the Himalayas!

7. Meditate in the Temples

The peaceful ambiance of the temples is another-worldly, especially at Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar. The atmosphere is ideal for self-reflection and diving deep into meditation.

How to Reach Panch Kedar Temples

There are several ways you can reach the Panch Kedar Temples. The main modes of transport are air, railways, and road. Here’s a quick summary:

By Air

The nearest airport to the Panch Kedar Temples is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. This is located over 200 km away from the temples. From the airport, you can take a taxi to either Devprayag or Rudraprayag. And from there on, you can take a taxi again to the nearest location of the temple.

By Railway

The nearest railway station to the Panch Kedar Dham is Rishikesh Railway Station. (You can book tickets at the official website of IRCTC) From the railway station, you can hire a taxi to Devprayag/Rudraprayag and continue your Panch Kedar Yatra further by again taking a taxi mixed with a trekking route to the specific Panch Kedar Temple.

By Road

The road route differs from temple to temple. Here’s a location-wise route:

• Kedarnath: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Guptkashi → Sonprayag → Gaurikund From Gaurikund, you can trek (16 km) to the temple.
• Tungnath: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Chopta From Chopta, it’s just an easy 4 km trek to Tungnath.
• Rudranath: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Gopeshwar → Sagar Village From Sagar Village, there’s a 20 km trek to the Rudranath Temple.
• Madhyamaheshwar: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Ukhimath → Ransi From Ransi, complete a 19 km trek to this Panch Kedar Temple.
• Kalpeshwar: Haridwar/Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Joshimath → Helang → Urgam From Urgam, it’s a mere 2 km trek to the Kalpeshwar.

Why Choose Us for Panch Kedar Yatra Packages 2026?

Our 16D/15 N Panch Kedar Yatra tour packages are perfect for you if you’re looking for a smooth and seamless experience with the divine shrines. We are a travel industry expert and have been in the field for many, many years. We understand the mindset of pilgrims and their specific spiritual tour-related needs and preferences. On your Panch Kedar trip with us, you’ll get access to three hygienic meals, pre-planned accommodation arrangements, local transport facilities, and many more amenities. Book with us today and avail the best tour deals!