Panch Kedar Temples | A Guide for Pilgrims and Adventurers

The Panch Kedar are five Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. These temples hold immense religious significance and are visited by thousands of devotees every year. Devotees feel immense joy after completing this yatra.

Table of Content

Legend of Panch Kedar
Five Temples of Panch Kedar Circuit
Panch Kedar Trek
Best time to visit
In Short

Legend of Panch Kedar

The legend of Panch Kedar is associated with the events after the Mahabharata war. According to the famous legend of the Garhwal region, the reason for the construction of the Panch Kedar temples is associated with the battle of Kurukshetra, the sins of the Pandavas and then the search for Lord Shiva. As told in the Mahabharata epic, the Pandavas defeated and killed their cousins – the Kauravas – in the Kurukshetra war. They wanted to atone for the sins of fratricide (gotra slaying) and brahmahatya (killing of Brahmins – the priestly class) committed during the war.

On the advice of Lord Krishna, the Pandavas gave their kingdom to Parikshit, who was the grandson of Arjuna and son of Abhimanyu. They then set out to search for Shiva and seek his blessings. First, they went to the holy city of Varanasi (Kashi). But, Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was very angry with the death and dishonesty caused in the Kurukshetra war and was, therefore, insensitive to the prayers of the Pandavas. So, he took the form of a bull (Nandi) and hid in the Garhwal region.

When the Pandavas did not find Lord Shiva in Varanasi, they went to the Garhwal Himalayas in search of him. Bhima, the most powerful of the five Pandava brothers, saw a bull grazing near Guptakashi (“hidden Kashi” – the name derived from Shiva’s act of hiding). Bhima immediately recognised that the bull was Shiva. Bhima grabbed the bull’s tail and hind legs. But Shiva disappeared into the ground in the form of a bull and reappeared later in pieces. One version of the story credits Bhima with not only catching the bull but also preventing it from disappearing. As a result, the bull split into five parts and appeared at five places in the Kedar section of the Garhwal region of the Himalayas.

According to mythology, the hump appeared at Kedarnath, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the navel and belly at Madmaheshwar and the matted locks at Kalpeshwar. It is believed that Shiva’s neck fell on Kedarkantha mountain. At the five different places where the five limbs of Shiva appeared in the form of bulls, the Pandavas built five temples, known as Panch Kedar. The Pandavas were pleased with this reappearance in different forms and started building the Panch Kedar temples. After building the Panch Kedar temples, the Pandavas worshipped, meditated and performed yagna to Shiva at Kedarnath for salvation and then departed for heaven following the heavenly path called Mahapanth (also known as Swargarohini). The Pandavas were thus freed from their sins.

Five Temples of Panch Kedar Circuit

Visiting all five temples involves significant trekking through scenic but challenging mountain terrain. Here’s a look at each:

Kedarnath Temple

The most famous of the Panch Kedar, also one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is one of the most revered temples of Lord Shiva in India. Represents the hump of the bull.

Location: Near the Mandakini River in the Rudraprayag district.
Trek Base: Gaurikund.
Trek Distance: Approximately 16-18 km one way from Gaurikund. The route was altered after the 2013 floods.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (due to distance and altitude gain – approx. 3,583 m or 11,755 ft).
Duration: Usually 1-2 days for the trek up, depending on pace. Can be done in a day by fit trekkers.
Accessibility: Accessible by trekking, pony/palanquin services, or helicopter services (from bases like Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi). The temple is open generally from late April/early May to October/November (closes after Diwali).

Madhyamaheshwar Temple

The navel or middle part (Madhya) of Shiva is worshipped here in the form of a navel-shaped lingam.

Location: In the Mansoona village area of Garhwal Himalayas, Rudraprayag district.
Trek Base: Ransi village (accessible via road from Ukhimath). Sometimes trekkers start from Uniana.
Trek Distance: Approximately 16-19 km one way from Ransi.
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult. Involves a significant distance through forests and villages. (Altitude approx. 3,497 m or 11,473 ft).
Duration: Typically takes 2-3 days (round trip). Trekkers often add a short trek to Buda Madhyamaheshwar nearby.
Accessibility: Accessible only by trekking. Similar opening season as Kedarnath.

Tungnath Temple

The highest Shiva temple in the world. Represents the arms of the bull.

Location: On the Chandranath Parvat in the Rudraprayag district.
Trek Base: Chopta (often called the “Mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand”).
Trek Distance: Approximately 3.5 – 4 km one way from Chopta.
Difficulty: Moderate. The path is well-paved but consistently uphill (altitude approx. 3,680 m or 12,073 ft).
Duration: 2-3 hours for the trek up. Many trekkers continue another 1.5 km to Chandrashila Peak (approx. 4,000 m) for panoramic Himalayan views.
Accessibility: Accessible only by trek. Chopta is reachable by road. The temple has a similar opening season to Kedarnath.

Rudranath Temple

Where the face (Mukh) of Shiva appeared. Here, Shiva is worshipped as ‘Neelkanth Mahadev’. The natural rock temple houses the svayambhu (self-manifested) face.

Location: In the Chamoli district, amidst alpine meadows and thick forests.
Trek Base: Multiple options, Sagar village (via Gopeshwar) is common, others include Mandal or Helang/Urgam.
Trek Distance: Approximately 20-22 km one way (from Sagar). Routes vary.
Difficulty: Difficult. This is generally considered the toughest trek among the Panch Kedar due to steep climbs, remote terrain, and longer distance. Requires good physical fitness. (Altitude approx. 3,600 m or 11,800 ft, though the trek involves higher passes).
Duration: Usually takes 3-5 days (round trip) depending on the route and pace.
Accessibility: Accessible only by trekking. Hiring a local guide is highly recommended. Similar opening season as Kedarnath.

Kalpeshwar Temple

Where Shiva’s hair locks (Jata) appeared. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of matted hair here.

Location: In the Urgam Valley of Chamoli district.
Trek Base: Urgam village.
Trek Distance: Very short trek (around 1-2 km) from the road head near Urgam village, or even less depending on how far the vehicle can go.
Difficulty: Easy. It’s more of a short walk than a strenuous trek. (Altitude approx. 2,200 m or 7,218 ft).
Duration: Can be visited within a couple of hours from Urgam.
Accessibility: Easily accessible. This is the only Panch Kedar temple that remains open throughout the year. Urgam village is reachable by road (often via Helang on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway).

Panch Kedar Trek

The Panch Kedar trek offers a unique blend of spiritual pilgrimage, challenging adventure, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery. It is a challenging pilgrimage trek that covers all five temples, usually in a sequence. Except for Kalpeshwar, which is accessible after a short trek, reaching the other four temples involves significant trekking. The base points for the treks (Gaurikund for Kedarnath, Chopta for Tungnath, Sagar for Rudranath, and Uniana/Ransi for Madhyamaheshwar) are accessible by road. The difficulty level varies for each trek.

Typical Route (variations exist): Often starts with Kedarnath, then Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and finally Kalpeshwar (as it’s open year-round and relatively easier to access). However, logistics might dictate other sequences.
Total Duration: Approximately 15-17 days, involving significant trekking and road travel between trek bases.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Requires excellent physical fitness, proper planning, acclimatization, and often the support of guides and porters, especially for the Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar sections.

Important Considerations for Trekkers

Fitness: Good cardiovascular fitness is essential, especially for Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kedarnath.
Acclimatization: Gradual ascent is crucial to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Guides & Porters: Highly recommended for Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar due to remoteness and trail conditions. Useful for others too.
Accommodation: Basic guesthouses, dharamshalas, and lodges are available at trek bases and some points along the trails. Camping might be necessary for some routes, especially longer ones like Rudranath.
Permits: Check for any required permits or registration, especially for Kedarnath (biometric registration is usually required).
Packing: Carry layers of clothing, rain gear (essential), sturdy trekking shoes, first-aid kit, water purification method, sunscreen, and sufficient cash.
Current Conditions: Always check current road and trail conditions before starting, as weather can change rapidly in the Himalayas, affecting accessibility.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit Panch Kedar is the pre-monsoon summer months (May-June) and post-monsoon early autumn (September-October), when the weather is pleasant and trekking routes are usually clear. Avoid visiting during monsoon and winter, as most temples and routes are closed due to landslides in monsoon and heavy snowfall in winter.

The temples, except Kalpeshwar, close during the winter months (typically from November to April/May) due to heavy snowfall. The idols are moved to their winter abodes during this time.

In Short

Visiting the Panch Kedar is considered a sacred pilgrimage, and devotees often undertake a yatra (journey) to all five temples. The traditional order of visiting starts with Kedarnath and proceeds to Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and finally Kalpeshwar. The trek routes offer breathtaking views of the Himalayan landscapes.

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