Hidden behind snow-white Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand. To trek the Panch Kedar is to walk toward the sacred, where you’re surrounded by soft cloud-light hills and the rivers play their gentle, watery music.
These are five holiest Lord Shiva temples in the beautifull Himalayan valleys. All of them are a legend and have some aura. Thousands of Indians make sure to go there to feel God’s presence and to get some peace.
Panch Kedar yatra is not touring by tourists, it’s soul journey. If you are planning to visit the divine Panch kedar and Chardham yatra by Helicopter.
What Is Panch Kedar?
Panch Kedar is “five Kedars” — five sacred temples of Lord Shiva.
They are:
- Kedarnath Temple
- Tungnath Temple
- Rudranath Temple
- Madhyamaheshwar Temple
- Kalpeshwar Temple
All these are situated in the Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. All these come under the Panch Kedar.
The Story Behind Panch Kedar
The history of the Panch Kedar has been discovered as dating back to Mahabharata times. The Pandavas were held responsible after the huge war they fought. The terrible responsibility fell upon the Pandavas for killing their masters and blood relations, a crime against their own lineage. They wished to receive the pardon of Lord Shiva for it.
Shiva was furious. He did not want to accept them and thus took a bull form and started moving towards the Garhwal mountains.
The bull was encountered by one of the Pandavas, Bhima, in Guptkashi, and he had even attempted to hold him back. The bull disappeared into thin air into the ground, though. And fragments of the body of the bull were later discovered in five pieces in the Himalayas.
The five places were converted into Panch Kedar temples:
- Kedarnath – where his hump appears
- Tungnath – where his arms appear
- Rudranath – where his face appears
- Madhyamaheshwar – where his navel appears
- Kalpeshwar – where his hair appears
Temples have been constructed in all these places by the Pandavas as a form of devoting their love and affection towards Lord Shiva.
Kedarnath—The Central Temple of Panch Kedar
The most sacred and largest among the five of them is Kedarnath. It is located at an altitude of about 3,583 meters above sea level, on the Mandakini River, in white hills.
Lord Shiva’s hump there is revered. The temple itself contains gigantic formations of rocks and is over thousands of years old. Again, it was renovated by Adi Shankaracharya.
The trek from Kedarnath is actually so distant, 16 km from Gaurikund, but so divine to look at that every step you have ever taken would be worthwhile. If you manage to spot the temple shining like a mirage in the intense heat, you would feel as if you have never been so calm.
April-May and November to October as it is snowed off with heavy snow. Pilgrimage begins here for the majority of pilgrims.
Tungnath—World’s Highest Shiva Temple
Tungnath temple at an altitude of about 3,680 meters above sea level is the second pilgrimage of the Panch Kedar. It’s the world’s highest Shiva temple.
Here the second arm of Lord Shiva is worshiped. The temple itself is very small but very serene, and the entire surrounding landscape is heavenly. You have giants of Himalayan ranges such as Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba soaking up the sun/warmth.
The journey from the small village of Chopta to Tungnath starts. The 4 km hike is not exhausting and is dotted with stunning wetlands and tall pine trees. A few take it a little higher up to Chandrashila Peak itself, where sunrise appears nearly delightful.
Nature lovers and peace seekers, Tungnath is something your heart would never want to miss.
Rudranath—Face of Lord Shiva
Rudranath temple is the third of Panch Kedar temples where you are revealed the face of Lord Shiva. It is in thick jungles and grassland territories.
You can’t approach so easily towards Rudranath. It is too far away, and you are tired. Still, if you are there, then the peaceful surrounding regions around it calm your soul.
This temple is constructed with good-quality stones, and within the temple, the face of Lord Shiva is worshiped within a stone with a lifelike look. There are good mountains such as Trishul and Nanda Devi here.
Locals have the belief that if you sit at Rudranath, then Lord Shiva will always accompany you.
Madhyamaheshwar—The Navel of Lord Shiva
And then there was that Panch Kedar Madhyamaheshwar trekking, where the belly of Lord Shiva was witnessed. It is near Mansoona village, Rudraprayag district.
The Madhyamaheshwar trekking distance is 18 km. There is villages, waterfalls, grassland and fresh clean air here.
The temple itself is constructed of stone and lies peacefully at the foot of massive snow hills. On prayer nights when prayers start, the valley rings with crashing bells and charms hanging in mid-air.
It is believed that all such individuals who go to Madhyamaheshwar get healed and enlightened in life.
Kalpeshwar—Panch Kedar’s Last Temple
The least and the youngest of all the Panch Kedars is Kalpeshwar. It is situated at Urgam Valley, close to Joshimath. The temple is accessible throughout the year individually.
Lord Shiva’s head and hair are revered here. The temple is established in a natural cave, and the way further there is hardly long — only 2 km from Urgam village.
The path weaves through apple orchards, tiny waterfalls, and tiny stone temples. This peacefulness will be stolen out of you.
Trekking your Panch Kedar to Kalpeshwar is being in the presence of Lord Shiva himself.
Panch Kedar Trek—A Heaven Walk
Panch Kedar trek isn’t hill-to-hill trekking—it’s heart-to-heart trekking. With each temple you visit, there is something new, another peace of mind, and another awakening.
The whole trek is done in the normal fashion from Kalpeshwar to Kedarnath. The trek would be 15–20 days based on your speed. The locals shower you with affection, and you get a glimpse of wild herbivores grazing over mountain ridges and running river after it.
This ain’t trekking; this is a lifetime’s memory.
Best Time for Panch Kedar Trek
Best time for Panch Kedar trek is May to October. Skies are blue and weather is comfortable at this time. Temples do not close down and roads are safe to drive on as well.
July and August are months of monsoons, and the trail is slippery. In winters, all the temples close down because of snow, but Kalpeshwar is open whole year.
How to Reach Panch Kedar
Rishikesh is the closest town to go to Panch Kedar temples. Rishikesh is connected well by road and train. Travel base camps such as Guptkashi, Chopta, Sagar, or Helang in a taxi or bus from Rishikesh.
The following is the method to approach each of the temples:
- Kedarnath – 16 km trekking from Gaurikund
- Tungnath – 4 km trek from Chopta
- Rudranath – 20 km trek from Sagar village
- Madhyamaheshwar – 18 km trek from Uniana
- Kalpeshwar – 2 km trek from Urgam
And after each trek, a new Himalayan view and a new smile.
Some Tips for Your Panch Kedar Yatra
Some tips which make your Panch Kedar yatra safe and enjoyable are as follows:
- Pack layers; it gets cold fast.
- Wear good grip shoes.
- Bring water and snacks on your own.
- Trek early in the morning.
- Take your trash home with you.
- Slow down and enjoy it.
Never commit the error of thinking that the charm of Panch Kedar lies in visiting the temples but in the trek where in fact, you get to see them.
Why Panch Kedar Is Special
The temples of Panch Kedar are not stones. They are havens of peace and bravery. They are gurus unto themselves.
- Kedarnath brings coolness with courage.
- Tungnath makes one hard.
- Rudranath calms you.
- Madhyamaheshwar steadies you.
- Kalpeshwar consoles you.
All five together teach the lesson that God Shiva is present everywhere — in mountains, nature, rivers, and even in your heart.
Why Visit Panch Kedar Once in a Lifetime
Whenever you have a chance, visit Panch Kedar once in a lifetime. It is as sacred as a moment that transforms into blissfulness in your heart.
You will get an opportunity to enjoy nature at its best, the generosity of hill people’s simplicity, and stay calm, which is just not possible in the midst of the city bustle. The trek to Panch Kedar itself would be a great de-stressor.
You are going with snaps, but blessings and memories in your heart.
Conclusion – Panch Kedar, A Pilgrimage of Faith and Peace
Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar Panch Kedar temples are five gates to spirituality and bliss.
Panch Kedar yatra is an awakening pilgrimage, a love pilgrimage, and a devotion pilgrimage. It’s a pilgrimage that fills you with the truth that God is not somewhere else, far, far away — He is beside you here and now, in the smell of the air on your face, in the breath that you inhale, and above you on the mountaintop.
If you ever wish to witness the glory and the strength of nature’s devotion, take the Panch Kedar trek. Himalayas, and Lord Shiva welcomes you.
