Kedarnath

This article is about Kedarnath town. For the temple, see Kedarnath Temple. For the mountain, see Kedarnath (mountain). For the film, see Kedarnath (film).

Kedarnath Kedarkhand
Town
A view of Kedarnath
Kedarnath Location in Uttarakhand, India Show map of Uttarakhand Kedarnath Kedarnath (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 30°44′N 79°04′E / 30.73°N 79.07°E / 30.73; 79.07
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
District	Rudraprayag
Named after	Kedarnath Temple
Government
• Type	Nagar Panchayat
• Body	Kedarnath Nagar Panchayat
Area
• Total	2.75 km^2 (1.06 sq mi)
Elevation	3,583 m (11,755 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	612
• Density	220/km^2 (580/sq mi)
Language
• Official	Hindi[1]
• Additional official	Sanskrit[2][3]
• Regional	Garhwali
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	246445
Vehicle registration	UK-13
Website	badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in

Kedarnath is a town and Nagar Panchayat in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India, known primarily for the Kedarnath Temple. It is approximately 86.5 kilometres from Rudraprayag, the district headquarters. Kedarnath is the most remote of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites. It is located in the Himalayas, about 3,583 m (11,755 ft) above sea level near the Chorabari Glacier, which is the source of the Mandakini River. The town is flanked by snow-capped peaks, most prominently the Kedarnath Mountain. The nearest road head is at Gaurikund about 16 km away. The town suffered extensive destruction during June 2013 from the flash floods caused by torrential rains in Uttarakhand.^[4]

Etymology

The name "Kedarnath" means "the Lord of the Field". It is derived from the Sanskrit words kedara ("field") and natha ("lord"). The text Kashi Kedara Mahatmya states that it is so-called because "the crop of liberation" grows here.^[5]

History

Kedarnath is a pilgrimage site or tirtha dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. It is one of the four pilgrimage spots that form a part of the Uttarkhand Char Dham yatra or Chota Char Dham yatra.^[6] The temple's construction is credited to the Pandava brothers mentioned in the Mahabharata.^[7][8] However, the Mahabharata does not mention any place called Kedarnath. One of the earliest references to Kedarnath occurs in the Skanda Purana (c. 7th-8th century), which names Kedara (Kedarnath) as the place where Shiva released the holy waters of Ganga from his matted hair, resulting in the formation of the Ganges River.^[9]

The Acharyas rebuilt the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand under the guidance of Adi Shankaracharya. According to the hagiographies based on Madhava's Sankshepa-Shankara-Vijaya, the 8th-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya died near the Kedarnath mountains; although other hagiographies, based on Anandagiri's Prachina-Shankara-Vijaya, state that he died at Kanchipuram. The ruins of a monument marking the purported resting place of Adi Shankaracharya are located at Kedarnath.^[10] Kedarnath was a prominent pilgrimage centre by the 12th century when it is mentioned in Kritya-kalpataru written by the Gahadavala minister Bhatta Lakshmidhara.^[11]

Location

View of kedarnath Temple during snowfall

Kedarnath is located at a distance of 223 km from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and close to the source of the Mandakini River at the height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft) above sea level.^[12] The township is built on a barren stretch of land on the shores of Mandakini River. Behind the town and the Kedarnath Temple, stands Kedarnath peak at 6,940 m (22,769 ft), the Kedar Dome at 6,831 m (22,411 ft) and other peaks of the range.^[12][13]

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census,^[14] Kedarnath has a population of 830. Males constitute 99% of the population and females 1%.^[15] Kedarnath has an average literacy rate of 63%: male literacy is 63%, and female literacy is 36%. Out of total population, 604 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 601 were males while 3 were females.^[15] In Kedarnath, none of the population is under six years of age. The floating population from May to October every year is more than 5000 per day with the pilgrim influx rising up to 10 lakhs in 2022.^[16]

Climate

The Kedarnath Temple is closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall. For six months, from November to April, the palanquin with the Utsava Murti (Idol) of Kedarnath and of the Madhyamaheshwar Temple is brought to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, near Guptakashi. Priests and other summer-time residents also move to nearby villages to cope with the winter. Around 360 families of the Tirtha Purohit of 55 villages and other nearby villages are dependent on the town for livelihood.^[17] According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, Kedarnath's climate is monsoon-influenced subarctic climate (Dwc), bordering a uniform rainfall subarctic climate (Dfc) with mild, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters.

Climate data for Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	1.0 (33.8)	2.4 (36.3)	6.0 (42.8)	10.8 (51.4)	14.8 (58.6)	17.1 (62.8)	16.5 (61.7)	15.9 (60.6)	14.3 (57.7)	10.6 (51.1)	6.9 (44.4)	3.7 (38.7)	10.0 (50.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−3.7 (25.3)	−2.3 (27.9)	1.2 (34.2)	5.6 (42.1)	9.3 (48.7)	11.9 (53.4)	12.3 (54.1)	12.0 (53.6)	9.8 (49.6)	5.3 (41.5)	1.6 (34.9)	−1.4 (29.5)	5.1 (41.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−8.4 (16.9)	−6.9 (19.6)	−3.5 (25.7)	0.5 (32.9)	3.8 (38.8)	6.8 (44.2)	8.2 (46.8)	8.1 (46.6)	5.3 (41.5)	0.1 (32.2)	−3.6 (25.5)	−6.5 (20.3)	0.3 (32.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	118.0 (4.65)	101.0 (3.98)	116.0 (4.57)	63.0 (2.48)	50.0 (1.97)	75.0 (2.95)	240.0 (9.45)	234.0 (9.21)	149.0 (5.87)	57.0 (2.24)	24.0 (0.94)	51.0 (2.01)	1,278 (50.32)
Source: [18]

2013 flash floods

Main article: 2013 North India floods

The Kedarnath Temple and the huge rock behind it in the aftermath of the flood

On 16 June 2013, at approximately 7:30 P.M., a landslide occurred near the Kedarnath Temple. On 17 June 2013 at approximately 6:40 a.m., water began to rush down from the Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Sarovar, bringing along with its flow, a huge amount of silt, rocks, and boulders. A large boulder got stuck behind the Kedarnath Temple, protecting it from the flood. The floodwater gushed on both sides of the temple, destroying everything in its path.^[19][20] Since it occurred in the middle of the pilgrimage season, the torrential rains, cloud bursts, and resulting flash floods nearly destroyed the town of Kedarnath.^[21] Thousands of people were killed, and thousands of others (mostly pilgrims) were reported missing or stranded due to landslides around Kedarnath. Although the surrounding area and compound of the Kedarnath Temple were destroyed, the temple itself survived.^[22][23]

The rescue operation resulted in more than 100,000 people being airlifted with the help of mainly the Private Helicopter Operators, who began the rescue mission voluntarily without any clear directives from the State Government or the Ministry of Defence. The Indian Army and Indian Air Force helicopters arrived much after the Private Helicopter Operators had already begun the massive air-rescue mission. The NDRF represented by a commandant, and another junior officer arrived at the 'right-ridge' of the town bordering the Mandakini River with more men and supplies being brought in the next day. The Indian Army later launched a massive rescue effort. A Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopter, each, of the private helicopter operators - Prabhatam Aviation & Simm Samm Aviation, were lost during the rescue mission without any reported casualties. An Indian Air Force helicopter (Mil Mi-17) also crashed, killing all 20 people on board (all of them were soldiers involved in relief and rescue work). The Air Force dropped logs to build pyres for mass cremations of the victims.^[21] It was reported that previously uncollected bodies were still being found one year after the tragedy.^[24]

Flood-proof infrastructure plan

After the floods, the Government of India decided to provide a flood-free infrastructure plan for the town. This involves:

• Development of the retaining wall and ghats on the Mandakini River
• Development of the retaining wall and ghats on the Sarasvati River
• Construction of the main approach to the Kedarnath Temple
• Development of the Adi Shankaracharya Kutir and Museum
• Development of houses for the Kedarnath Teerth Purohits

The foundation stone for the plan was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20 October 2017.

Redevelopment Project

The master plan for the redevelopment of Kedarnath after the 2013 floods was prepared by INI Design Studio, a multi-disciplinary design firm based in Ahmedabad. INI Design Studio was also responsible for conceptualization, selection and sub-terrain installation of Adi Shankaracharya’s statue behind the temple.^[25] Architect Jayesh Hariyani led the redevelopment master plan, which has been awarded the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Platinum certification as a Green Hill Habitat. Kedarnath is a part of Smart Cities Mission initiative. Hence the redevelopment plan includes infrastructural development through the principals of sustainability and smart solutions or technology. ^[26]

Green City Features in Kedarnath^[26]

1. Water Supply, Wastewater Recycling & Storm Water Rescue: According to the calculated water demand of approximately 750,000 litres per day for the Kedarnath redevelopment project, the proposed water source is either the Sarasvati or Mandakini River, selected based on feasibility studies. To manage silt loading, the water supply system is designed to be compartmentalized into two separate lines. To prevent freezing of water in pipelines during sub-zero temperatures, several anti-freezing measures have been proposed:
   • Subsurface installation: Pipelines will be buried below the frost line to avoid exposure to freezing conditions.
   • Insulation: All exposed water supply pipes will be insulated using materials such as fiberglass, nitrile rubber, or polyethylene, protected with weather-resistant coatings. The insulation thickness will be designed to prevent freezing.
   • Leakage faucet system: A slight continuous flow of water through faucets at pipe ends is proposed to keep water moving and prevent freezing—a conventional and feasible method for such climates.
   • Heat tracing: Electrical heat tracing using induced current wiring is proposed for branch connections, especially for residential units and public toilets with hot and cold water supply. In terms of wastewater management, an estimated 670,000 litres per day of wastewater is planned to be treated using an electrocoagulation process.
2. Sanitation & Solid Waste Management: The existing waste management infrastructure in Kedarnath is limited in capacity, handling only around 500 kg of domestic waste and 6,000 kg of mule dung daily, with no facilities for further processing. To address this, a bio-digester system has been proposed to handle up to 600,000 liters of organic waste per day. Strategically placed waste collection bins and a transportation system are planned to transfer waste to centralized processing units. For solid waste treatment, technologies such as the Micro Auto Gasification System (MAGS) and the Smart Xpress Composter have been evaluated. MAGS is particularly recommended due to its proven effectiveness in cold climates, including implementation in countries such as Canada and across Europe. Additionally, a dispensary is proposed in the Sarasvati Public Plaza, which will generate biomedical waste. This waste will be collected and transported to the nearest treatment facility every seven days during the peak pilgrimage season. Comprehensive sanitation and sewage management systems have also been planned around the temple precinct and the town. These include a sewage pumping station and a dedicated solid waste processing facility, designed to address existing sanitation challenges and support the increased load during the pilgrimage period.
3. Robust IT connectivity & digitalization: A radio frequency-based local internet network, currently used to provide essential services such as Wi-Fi through point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless communication systems, can also be leveraged for additional applications. One such proposed application is a Smart Public Addressal System, which would utilize wireless outdoor speakers. These speakers are designed to be mounted on or supported by durable materials capable of withstanding the region's harsh weather conditions.
4. Energy efficient street lighting: The proposed lighting system will utilize solar energy as its primary power source. The electricity will be generated from solar panels installed on the opposite side of the valley. Copper XLPE cables will be used to connect each luminaire, laid within DWC (double wall corrugated) pipes for protection. The lighting controls are planned to be zoned, enabling distributed management across different areas.
5. Innovative use of open space: The Kedarnath master plan emphasizes the strategic integration of various types of open spaces—both public and semi-public—to serve pilgrims and residents of Kedarpuri. These open spaces function as vital breathing zones within the overall design, encouraging social interaction and providing areas for respite. Semi-public spaces are typically designed as open courtyards located between clusters of houses, allowing residents shared access and use. To honor the memory of lives lost during the 2013 floods, the master plan includes a dedicated memorial zone known as Smriti Van, designated as a no-build zone. The memorial park creatively incorporates large boulders displaced by landslides during the floods. No additional construction materials are introduced; instead, the design relies solely on these naturally occurring boulders and native vegetation to preserve the integrity and ecological sensitivity of the area.
6. Visible improvements in the Area: Following the floods of 2013, the visibility of the temple in the area was significantly reduced. Subsequent redevelopment efforts have aimed to restore and enhance visibility, allowing visitors to view the temple from the arrival plaza itself. To preserve the visual prominence of the temple, height restrictions were imposed along the central axis, limiting the vertical scale of new buildings in proximity. A cluster planning strategy was adopted in the redevelopment process, aligning the orientation of buildings with the site's topography and natural water flow. This approach improved flood resilience while maintaining accessibility and uniform spacing between structures. The layout encourages organized urban development and includes open courtyards between buildings, with minimum distances of 10 meters between parallel buildings and 3 meters between adjacent ones. The master plan is implemented in parcels according to the site's slope, using a terrace development method to harmonize with the natural terrain.
7. Pedestrian friendly pathways: Given its significance as a major pilgrimage destination, the redevelopment of Kedarnath focused on creating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to facilitate crowd movement and ensure accessibility during peak hours. The primary pathway leading to the temple has been designed to accommodate a walk of approximately 8 to 10 minutes. This route is universally accessible and barrier-free, adhering to inclusive design standards. The pathways integrate urban street furniture such as benches, lighting fixtures, waste bins, planters, and sculptures, enhancing user comfort and aesthetics.
8. Encouragement to non-motorized transport: Kedarnath has been planned as a pedestrian-only town, with the urban master plan emphasizing unrestricted access to all parts of the settlement without the need for motorized transport. The use of cluster-based planning and a connected network of open spaces supports seamless movement for both residents and pilgrims throughout the town.
9. Intelligent Traffic Management: Pilgrim movement is directed along defined pathways that connect key public areas such as the temple plaza, Sarasvati Ghat, and other communal nodes. Wayfinding is supported by clear signage throughout the area. While the core of the town remains pedestrian-focused, emergency, medical, and logistical services utilize the outer periphery via battery-operated or electronic vehicles, such as All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The operation of these vehicles is regulated through control checkpoints, notably near the Mandakini river retaining wall. Access for VIPs is managed via the existing helipad infrastructure.
10. Sustainable Development: The redevelopment of Kedarnath places significant emphasis on sustainability, particularly through the use of locally sourced construction materials. This approach aims to preserve the town’s visual identity, with building materials and color palettes selected to reflect the surrounding natural environment. In line with environmental goals, the use of plastic materials has been prohibited within the settlement to minimize pollution and reduce the generation of non-recyclable solid waste.
11. Social Development: The proposed development emphasizes inclusivity and safety for all individuals, including persons with disabilities, women, and children. The design adopts a barrier-free approach to ensure accessibility. Enhancements to public safety include the installation of an IP-based PTZ CCTV system along central access pathways. These cameras, capable of 180-degree wide-range coverage, are intended to monitor key areas such as the ghat. Additional bullet cameras are proposed for smaller residential pathways. All CCTV devices are designed to operate on an existing Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint wireless communication system and are to be installed on weather-resistant poles. Continuous monitoring and recording (24/7) is planned at a centralized control center located in Dehradun.
12. Economical development: The development plan incorporates commercial opportunities through features such as the ghat, public plazas, and designated retail zones on the ground floors of residential buildings. These retail spaces aim to generate revenue and support a "Live and Work" model for the local community. The initiative is expected to create employment opportunities and enhance income sources for residents. Furthermore, the inclusion of guest houses and bed-and-breakfast accommodations is anticipated to contribute to the town's tourism and economic growth.
13. Disaster Management: The region of Kedarnath has historically experienced natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. In response, a community-level disaster risk reduction plan has been proposed. This includes the identification and training of local volunteers, referred to as champions or marshals, within each community. The initiative aims to enhance preparedness through the development of critical civil infrastructure, including retaining walls and embankments, to mitigate the impact of natural calamities. Additionally, the plan includes the establishment of disaster shelters to accommodate vulnerable populations during emergencies. Open spaces adjacent to residential clusters, designed as courtyards, are intended to serve as refuge areas. These courtyards are connected to a central access axis to facilitate clear evacuation routes in the event of disasters such as earthquakes or fires. The total evacuation capacity of these open spaces is estimated to be approximately 28,000 individuals.

Places of interest

Other than the Kedarnath Temple, on the eastern side of the town is Bhairavnath Temple,^[12] and the deity of this temple, Bhairavnath, is believed to protect the town during the winter months. About 6 km upstream from the town, lies Chorabari Tal, a glacier-lake also called Gandhi Sarovar.^[12] Near Kedarnath, there is a cliff called Bhairav Jhamp.^[12] Other places of interest include the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, and Rudra meditation cave.^[27]

• 
  Kedarnath in the 1860s, with the temple being the prominent structure.
• 
  Lord Bhairavnath is considered as the Protector God of the area
• 
  The Kedarnath Temple in 2014, one year after the floods.
• 
  The Mandakini River on the bank of the town

See also

Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where the Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar idols are kept during the winter months.

• Kedarnath (mountain)
• Badrinath
• 2013 North India floods

References

1. "Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 50th report (July 2012 to June 2013)" (PDF). Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
2. Trivedi, Anupam (19 January 2010). "Sanskrit is second official language in Uttarakhand". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 1 February 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
3. "Sanskrit second official language of Uttarakhand". The Hindu. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
4. "Here is what happened in Kedarnath, and rest of Uttarakhand, in 2013". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
5. Diana L. Eck (2013). Banaras: City of Light. Knopf Doubleday. pp. 185–186. ISBN 978-0-307-83295-5.
6. Whitmore, Luke (2018). Mountain, Water, Rock, God: Understanding Kedarnath in the twenty-first century. University of California Press. pp. 1–7.
7. J. Gordon Melton; Martin Baumann, eds. (2010). Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices. Vol. 1 (A-B) (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. p. 1624. ISBN 978-1-59884-204-3.
8. James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M. Rosen. pp. 363–364. ISBN 978-0-8239-3179-8.
9. Alex McKay (2015). Kailas Histories: Renunciate Traditions and the Construction of Himalayan Sacred Geography. BRILL. p. 135. ISBN 978-90-04-30618-9.
10. N. V. Isaeva (1993). Shankara and Indian Philosophy. SUNY Press. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-0-7914-1282-4.
11. Edward Quinn (2014). Critical Companion to George Orwell. Infobase. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-4381-0873-5.
12. Abram, David (2003). The Rough guide to India (2003 ed.). New York: Rough Guides. pp. 354–355. ISBN 9781843530893.
13. Kala, CP (2014). "Deluge, disaster and development in Uttarakhand Himalayan region of India: challenges and lessons for disaster management". International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 8: 143–152. Bibcode:2014IJDRR...8..143K. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.03.002.
14. "Census of India 2011: Kedarnath". Census Commission of India. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
15. "Kedarnath Population Census 2011 - 2022". Consensus 2011.
16. "Pilgrim influx to Kedarnath Dham crosses 10.08 lakh, breaks all previous records". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
17. "Brahma Kamal: A source of Livelihood in the Life of Locals of Kedarnath Shrine". ResearchGate.
18. "KEDARNATH CLIMATE". CLIMATE-DATA.ORG. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
19. "[First-person Account] 'How I Survived 16 June Fury At Kedarnath' - Manoj Rawat - Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts". www.tehelka.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
20. "Uttarakhand floods: Survivors of Kedarnath recount ordeal". Yahoo News. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
21. "High and wet". The Economist. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
22. "Monsoon fury leaves Kedarnath shrine submerged in mud and slush". The Indian Express. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
23. Mishra, Subhash (19 June 2013). "Thousands missing near Kedarnath shrine". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
24. Bhatt, Bindiya (12 June 2014). "Exclusive: Dead bodies of pilgrims found in Kedarnath, one year after Uttarakhand tragedy". News Nation English. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
25. SEHGAL, RASHME. "Badrinath-Kedarnath: Modi Must Relook At Redevelopment". Rediff. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
26. Rana, Nilesh Kumar (5 August 2021). IGBC's Green Habitat e-newsletter July 2021 (July 2021 ed.). Indian Green Building Council. pp. Pages=7-10.
27. "Kedarnath | Char Dham | Uttarakhand Tourism". namasteindiatrip.com. Retrieved 4 March 2022.

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola

External links

• Official website
• Media related to Kedarnath at Wikimedia Commons
• Kedarnath travel guide from Wikivoyage