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Kedarnath in January
Uttarakhand, India
January Kedarnath is closed under metres of snow. The temple shut on Diwali (October/November) and won't reopen until May. At 3583m, the entire area is a frozen wilderness. The 2013 flood disaster zone is buried. The murti has been moved to Ukhimath (30km downhill) for winter worship. No infrastructure operates. The approach road from Gaurikund is impassable. The helicopter service is suspended.
The January story
Do not attempt Kedarnath in January. The area is buried under snow and any approach attempt is life-threatening. For winter Kedarnath spiritual experience, visit Ukhimath (1311m, accessible year-round from Rudraprayag), where the Kedarnath murti resides during the six-month temple closure. The small winter shrine maintains daily worship with the same priests who serve at the main temple. The experience is intimate and stripped of the summer pilgrimage's crowd energy — a different but valid spiritual encounter. Plan your actual Kedarnath visit for May-June when conditions are safest. Register for Char Dham yatra online (mandatory since 2023). The 16km trek from Gaurikund requires basic fitness — not mountaineering skill, but the ability to walk 8 hours at altitude.
Why January scores 0/5
Weather
Temple closed. Valley buried under 10+ feet snow. Trek route impassable. Kedarnath town completely evacuated. Murti worshipped at Ukhimath for winter.
Roads & Access
self drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. road condition: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. from nearest city: Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. last km difficulty: extreme (16km trek)
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF, NDRF during yatra. helpline: Char Dham Yatra: 1364. ambulance: 108 (to Gaurikund only). police station: Kedarnath outpost (seasonal). nearest hospital: Medical camp at Kedarnath (seasonal, basic). District Hospital Rudraprayag 80km.
Network
VI: No, JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. BSNL intermittent at Kedarnath. All networks at Guptkashi. No signal on 16km trek.
Kids
Not ideal for kids — Spiritually profound for older teens
Elevation
3,583m — High altitude, acclimatisation needed
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
- ✓Nobody — Kedarnath is closed under metres of snow
- ✓Ukhimath visitors can experience winter shrine worship
- ✓Char Dham planners should start researching May-June visits
- ✓Armchair pilgrims reading about the temple's 1200-year history
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Everyone — the temple is closed and area is lethal in winter
- ✗Trekkers without full mountaineering equipment
- ✗Anyone assuming they can reach the temple — you cannot
- ✗Casual visitors from any direction
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Januaryviewing | 0/5 | Temple closed. Valley buried under 10+ feet snow. Trek route impassable. Kedarnath town completely evacuated. Murti worshipped at Ukhimath for winter. |
| February | 0/5 | Temple closed. Heaviest snowfall month. Avalanche risk in Mandakini valley. Zero access possible. Valley in complete winter hibernation until late April. |
| March | 0/5 | Temple closed. Snow melting at lower points but Kedarnath at 3,583m still buried. Trek route blocked. BRO begins road clearing to Gaurikund. |
| April | 1/5 | Temple opens Akshaya Tritiya (late April, date varies). Trek route clearing. Helicopter bookings surge. Only visit last week if confirmed open. Cold and icy. |
| May | 5/5 | Season opens, 0-12°C. Trek from Gaurikund (16km) or helicopter. Pilgrims surge. Mule and pony bookings essential. Snow patches on trail. Peak spiritual energy. |
| June | 5/5 | Peak pilgrimage, 5-15°C. Helicopters booked months ahead. 6-8 hour queues for darshan. Trek busy but beautiful. Meadows blooming. Book everything far in advance. |
| July | 2/5 | Monsoon makes trek route extremely dangerous. 2013 flood disaster killed 6,000+. Landslides, swollen rivers, slippery trails. Temple open but access life-threatening. |
| August | 2/5 | Peak monsoon. Trek route at its most dangerous. Multiple landslide zones. Helicopter flights cancelled frequently. Pilgrims stranded regularly. Avoid completely. |
| September | 4/5 | Post-monsoon, 2-10°C. Rain retreating. Trek route stabilizing. Far fewer pilgrims — 30-minute darshan instead of 6-hour queues. Autumn scenery beautiful. |
| October | 5/5 | Best for peaceful darshan, 0-8°C. Clear skies, snow-dusted peaks, tiny queues. Trek route at its most scenic. Cold but rewarding. Temple closing mid-Nov. |
| November | 1/5 | Temple closes post-Diwali with Bhai Dooj ceremony. Last helicopter flights early Nov. Snow arriving. Only early Nov viable — check exact closure date. |
| December | 0/5 | Temple closed for winter. Valley under deep snow. Trek route impassable. Murti moved to Ukhimath. No access until late April next year. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Rishikesh 220km to Gaurikund. Then 16km trek.. Roads: Char Dham highway. Monsoon landslides.. Self-drive: Drive to Sonprayag. No cars beyond.. Public transport: Bus to Guptkashi. Shuttle to Gaurikund. Trek or helicopter.. Last stretch: extreme (16km trek)
Elevation
3,583m
Difficulty
hard
Budget tier
budget
Permits required
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Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in January
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