Current kedarnath temple timings start with Maha Abhishek at 4:00 AM. General darshan runs from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Next comes a short afternoon break. Then evening shringar and Sandhya Aarti run from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Finally, the sanctum closes at 8:30 PM after Shayan Aarti. However, timings can shift by 30 minutes on heavy-crowd or weather-impacted days.
What Are the Kedarnath Temple Timings in the Morning?
First, the day opens with a Nirmalya darshan at 4:00 AM. At this time, priests remove the previous night’s flowers. Next, Maha Abhishek and the Shodashopachar puja follow. Both are bookable slots. Then general darshan opens at 6:00 AM. Morning lines are usually fastest between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM.
Devotees who want to witness the full aarti should reach the outer queue by 5:15 AM. However, cameras are not allowed inside the garbhagriha. Also, leather items stay outside at the locker counter.
Morning Slot Breakdown
- 4:00 AM Maha Abhishek and Nirmalya darshan (priest-only sanctum)
- 5:00 AM Shodashopachar Puja (pre-booked devotees)
- 6:00 AM General darshan opens for all pilgrims
- 7:00 AM Bhog aarti inside the sanctum
What Are the Afternoon Kedarnath Temple Timings?
The temple breaks for Bhog offering and Shringar from around 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. During this window, the sanctum doors close to the public. Meanwhile, use the break to rest at GMVN rooms or the Bhairavnath Mandir nearby. Also, queue wardens restart token issuance at 4:30 PM.
What is the Evening Aarti Schedule?
Evening shringar makes the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga highly auspicious for darshan. Sandhya Aarti runs from 6:45 PM to 7:15 PM depending on seasonal light. Finally, the Shayan Aarti at 8:30 PM closes the sanctum for the night. However, winter months compress the evening schedule by 45 minutes.
| Ritual | Time | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Nirmalya Darshan | 4:00 AM | Priests only |
| Maha Abhishek | 4:15 AM | Pre-booked |
| General Darshan opens | 6:00 AM | All pilgrims |
| Bhog Aarti | 7:00 AM | Queue devotees |
| Afternoon Break | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Sanctum closed |
| Sandhya Aarti | 6:45 PM | Queue devotees |
| Shayan Aarti | 8:30 PM | Limited |
How to Book Rudrabhishek at Kedarnath?
Rudrabhishek is the most sought-after seva. The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) manages online bookings through its Devasthanam Board portal. Slots open 30 days in advance. However, they fill within hours during May and June. Meanwhile, offline counters at the Kedarnath temple office handle same-day cancellations.
Puja fees for 2026 season range Rs 2,600 to Rs 11,000. The rate depends on the ritual scale. Carry printed confirmation and Aadhaar for verification. For advance booking etiquette, compare the flow with the Tirumala senior citizen booking chart. It follows a similar slot logic.
Are VIP and Special Darshan Slots Available?
The BKTC does not officially offer paid VIP queues at Kedarnath in the Tirumala style. However, priority darshan is allowed through booked seva (Rudrabhishek, Mahamrityunjay Jaap). Also, pilgrim groups approved by the DM office and medical cases with authorised escort get priority. Still, random paid shortcuts offered by touts outside are usually fake.
Senior citizens, differently-abled pilgrims and pregnant women can request assisted darshan at the main gate help desk. Also, carry a recent medical note for faster processing.
What is the Helicopter Darshan Window?
Heli pilgrims land at the Kedarnath helipad. Next, they walk 600 m to the temple. Then they get a curated 20 to 40 minute darshan slot. Morning sorties from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi aim for a 7 AM to 10 AM arrival at Kedarnath. This timing ensures minimal weather risk. For current fares and IRCTC rules, see the full Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.
How Do Timings Change in Monsoon?
From mid-June, heavy rain and cloud cover can delay the 4 AM opening by 30 minutes. This happens if priests cannot cross the footbridge safely. However, on extreme-weather days, the BKTC may suspend evening aarti. Also, they may close the sanctum by 6:30 PM. Helicopter sorties get cancelled first.
During the monsoon (15 July to 31 August), SDRF teams reduce trek traffic after 2 PM. Therefore, always check the day’s weather bulletin on the Uttarakhand Tourism site and BKTC social media before leaving your stay. Timings remain subject to revision by the temple committee.
FAQ
What are the current Kedarnath temple timings?
In the 2026 season, Kedarnath opens at 4:00 AM for Maha Abhishek. General darshan runs 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Next, a 2 hour afternoon break follows. Then evening aarti starts from 5:00 PM. Finally, the sanctum closes at 8:30 PM after Shayan Aarti. Winter closure begins on Bhai Dooj.
When is the best time to avoid Kedarnath queues?
Weekday mornings between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM are usually the lightest. The early rush is over and the afternoon break has not begun. However, avoid weekends, Mondays of Shravan, and Maha Shivaratri. Also, monsoon midweek sees fewer road pilgrims if weather holds clear.
How do I book Rudrabhishek at Kedarnath?
Book via the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee Devasthanam Board portal. Slots open 30 days ahead. The cost runs Rs 2,600 to Rs 11,000 in 2026, depending on ritual scale. Also, offline counters at the Kedarnath office handle same-day leftover slots with Aadhaar verification.
Is photography allowed inside the Kedarnath sanctum?
No. Cameras, mobile phones, leather belts, wallets and bags are barred inside the garbhagriha. Instead, use the locker counter near the main gate. However, photography is allowed outside the temple and at the Bhairavnath shrine up the hillside.
Do timings differ on Shivaratri or Shravan Somwar?
Yes. On Maha Shivaratri and Shravan Mondays, abhishek starts earlier (around 3:30 AM). Also, darshan extends past the usual afternoon break. Additionally, evening aarti runs longer. Therefore, expect 4 to 6 hour waits. The BKTC announces special-day timings 48 hours in advance.
Go Kshetra covers 1,600+ Hindu temples across 28 states. Content sourced from official temple websites and first-hand visits. About our editorial process