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Brahmarakshas

2026-04-18T18:49:42Z

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{{short description|Indian television series}}
{{for multi|the demon spirit in Hindu mythology|Brahmarakshasa|other uses|Brahmarakshasa (disambiguation)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Brahmarakshas.jpg
| caption =
| genre = [[Drama]] [[Supernatural fiction]] [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]]
| creator = [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| based_on = 
| writer = Srinita Bhowmik Gautam Hegde Nikita Dhond Rekha Modi
| story = Surbhi Sachal Sachdeva
| director = [[Dinesh Mahadev]] Rajesh Ranshinge Deepak Chauhan
| creative_director = Chloe Ferns Mukta Dhond [[Nivedita Basu]] Prachi Tiwari Shaalu kadar kazi(kk)
| starring = [[Krystle D'Souza]] [[Aham Sharma]] Nikki Sharma [[Pearl V Puri]] [[Leenesh Mattoo]] Amisha Shrivastava
| theme_music_composer = Vinod Ghimire
| opentheme =
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 94
| producer = [[Ekta Kapoor]] [[Shobha Kapoor]]
| location = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]
| cinematography = Ravi Mishra Pradeep Gupta Ganesh Sankala
| editor = Vishal Sharma Vikas Sharma Sandeep Varma
| camera = [[Multi-camera]]
| runtime = 45-60 Minutes
| company = [[Balaji Telefilms]]
| distributor = [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises]]
| picture_format = [[576i]] ([[SDTV]]) [[High-definition television|HDTV]] [[1080i]]
| first_aired = {{start date|2016|8|6|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2021|4|4|df=y}}
| channel = [[Zee TV]]
| followed_by =
}}

'''''Brahmarakshas ''''' is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[supernatural]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] television series broadcast on [[Zee TV]] and digitally available on [[ZEE5]].<ref>{{cite news|title=BARC Report Week 37: Not Kavach, it's Brahmarakshas that has matched Naagin's success!|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/barc-report-week-37-not-kavach-its-brahmarakshas-that-has-matched-naagins-success/|publisher=Bollywood Life|date=22 September 2016}}</ref> Spanning two seasons, it is a franchise produced by [[Ekta Kapoor]] under her studio [[Balaji Telefilms]].<ref>{{cite news|title=reasons Brahmarakshas is everyone's favourite show right now|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/5-reasons-brahmarakshas-is-everyones-favourite-show-right-now-lifetv/1/771739.html|publisher=India Today|date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

The first season titled ''Brahmarakshas... Jaag Utha Shaitan'' starring [[Krystle D'Souza]] and [[Aham Sharma]] aired from 6 August 2016 to 18 February 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Zee TV to launch supernatural weekend show on 6 Aug|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-supernatural-weekend-show-on-6-aug/|publisher=Television Post|date=1 August 2016|access-date=1 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802155927/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-supernatural-weekend-show-on-6-aug/|archive-date=2 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was loosely based on fantasy thriller film, [[Jaani Dushman]] and the western [[fairy tale]], ''[[Beauty and the Beast]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Krystle D'Souza's Brahmarakshas To Go On Air From August|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/television/news/2016/krystle-dsouza-excited-brahmarakshas-to-go-on-air-from-august-235191.html|publisher=Filmi Beat|date=26 July 2016}}</ref>

The second season titled ''Brahmarakshas 2: Phir Jaag Utha Shaitan'' starring [[Pearl V Puri]] and Nikki Sharma aired from 22 November 2020 and 4 April 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/features/zee-tv-unveils-weekend-fantasy-thriller-brahmarakshas-2-starring-pearl-v-puri-nikki-sharma/#ampf=|title=Zee TV unveils its weekend fantasy thriller Brahmarakshas 2 starring Pearl V Puri and Nikki Sharma|website=Bollywood Hungama|date=20 November 2020}}</ref>

==Series==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="padding: 0 8px" colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Season
! style="padding: 0 8px" rowspan="2" | Episodes
! colspan="2" | Originally broadcast ([[India]])
|-
! style="padding: 0 8px" | First aired
! style="padding: 0 8px" | Last aired
|-
| style="background:#C71585" |
|align="center"| 1
|align="center"| 57
|align="center"| {{start date|df=yes|2016|08|06}}
|align="center"| {{end date|df=yes|2017|02|18}}
|-
| style="background:#FF1493" |
|align="center"| 2
|align="center"| 39
|align="center"| {{start date|df=yes|2020|11|22}}
|align="center"| {{end date|df=yes|2021|04|04}}
|}

==Plot==
===Season 1===
A small village named Kamalpura's landlord Sanjay marries Aparajita. On their wedding night, she betrays him and pushes him off a cliff for his wealth. Attacked by a gorilla, Sanjay's soul is enchanted into the animal's body converting him into a Brahmrakshas (a demon). He is angered whenever he sees brides with bridal jewellery and vermilion, and kills them as it reminds him of Aparajita.

====Twenty years later====

In Mumbai, a family decides to conduct destination wedding for their daughter, Rakhi at Kamalpura. Rakhi is close to her best friend Raina and easy-go-lucky flirting brother Rishabh. The whole family leaves for Kamalpura.

Learning that Rakhi loves someone else, Raina and Rishabh secretly has them married. Sanjay kills Varun and then Rakhi as well. Left shattered, Rishabh and Raina decide to seek revenge from Sanjay. Raina and Rishabh marry in order to bring Brahmrakshas in front of them and kills him.

Aparjita returns to Kamalpura. Raina discovers that Aparajita is Rishabh's "Appu maa", Mohini's best friend and is very close to Rishabh. She also finds out that she is not her father's real daughter. Her parents were the first couple who had been killed by Sanjay and a baby Raina is given to a man by Phuli. Raina reveals the truth to Rishabh, however he refuses to believe Raina. But soon Aparajita's truth is discovered. A dangerous animal kills Aparajita and she becomes another Brahmrakshas. Aparajita is murdered by Sanjay, who comes under Mohini's control.

Rishabh's brother Yug learns that Mohini is Rishabh's ''chachi''. His wife Naina learns this but is tied and locked in the house basement, where Rishabh's real mother Sudha is found. Mohini takes Sudha to Asursthal to kill her but Raina brings her back. Wanting to awake Narsimha, Mohini takes Raina and Rishabh along with her; they learn her truth.

Mohini loses a Narsimha stone, which breaks. Due to its emitting intense light, the stone captures Rishabh into the stone. Mohini snatches it but is killed by Sanjay. While dying, she reveals to Raina about Narsimha. Rishabh comes out of the stone and notices changes in himself. Narsimha enters into his body. Sanjay gains more powers and kills Naina. Sanjay and Narsimha fight.

As Sanjay takes the gem containing Narsimha's power, he throws it but Raina finds and gets it. She grabs the sword and stabs Sanjay who finally dies. Raina and Rishabh reunited.

=== Season 2 ===
Raghav and Vishakha organized a Diwali and birthday party for their daughter Kalindi. Raghav's best friend Shakti Mehra and his wife with son Angad going to London for his business expansion. Raghav's loyal person Prithvi and his wife Shalini want money and jewelry from Kali Mandir. Akshay appoint a Tantrik Jwala, he wants Kalindi's horoscope when they gave her horoscope, he become extremely happy as he found that girl who will help him to become immortal lifelong. He gave order to them to bring this girl right now but they send Komal not Kalindi but Jwala recognize that she is not that girl. Raghav call Balan to take Kalindi with her but he joins hands with Prithvi for money and give Kalindi to him. In anger Jwala roped off Prithvi, Balan and Akshay from the pillar. Raghav feels not good so he went to Kali Mandir and he sees all as soon as Kalindi's sacrifice Pooja was going to end. He says to Jwala stop this pooja but he also roped off from the pillar then he looked at Prithvi and Akshay asked him, what are you doing here, you guys were at home and where did you get the key of the vault of the temple. They told him they want jewelry and money from Kali Mandir. Raghav starts praying to Kali Maa to stop this evil work as soon as Jwala runs away but killed by Brahmarakshas and soul of Jwala gets transferred to him. Here Prithvi and Shalini kill Raghav and Vishakha and take her daughters.

==== 16 years later ====
All grown up, Kalindi and Minty live with Prithvi bearing taunts from Shalini and her daughters. Kalindi is shown to be a mature woman who feels indebted to Prithvi assuming that he is clearing her father's debts, unbenownst to his involvement in her parents' death. Prithvi pulls a facade of a loving uncle to Kalindi and Minty in hopes of getting all of Kalindi's property. Angad is now a London based businessman along with his father and a soccer player, shown to be a casanova. The Mehras return to India on Shakti's insistence to get his sons married to Raghav's daughters which is not well taken by his wife, Damini. Prithvi and Shalini lie to Shakti that Kalindi died not long after her parents' death and that Minty is married. They convince Shakti to get his sons married to the former's daughters while Angad is smitten with Kalindi, assuming her to be one of Prithvi's three daughters. Brahmarakshas possesses Vardhaan Choudary, a well known businessman, and searches for Kalindi. He finds her soon and tries many ways to woo her and later asks her hand in marriage by making her believe that he will help her find the secret of Brahmarakshas to which Kalindi agrees. On learning this Angad is heartbroken and tries many tactics to cancel the wedding but is unsuccessful. Later on the wedding day Prithvi and Shalini tries to kill Kalindi but are unsure as Angad saves her but brahmarakshas renders Angad unconscious and kidnaps Kalindi and tries to wed her when she is unconscious but Angad comes at right time and saves her and informs her of Vardhaan being the Brahmarakshas and she vanquishes brahmaraksas and kills Gehna.

==== 2 months later ====
Brahmarakshas is revealed to be alive. Angad and Paridhi's haldi ceremony takes place. Madan comes out of the coma. The Brahmarakshas wreaks havoc again. Kalindi and Angad get Madan home. Angad gets jealous seeing Madan and Kalindi getting closer. The inspector learns something suspicious about Madan. Later, Kalindi seeks Madan's help. Angad gets a doubt on Madan. The incident at the mall raises Angad's suspicion on Madan. When the coconut turns black, Shalini thinks that Prithvi is Brahmarakshas. Brahmarakshas kills Inspector Shabana and Angad vows to expose the truth. Mahamaya Ma tells Shalini that Brahmarakshas is in the house. Angad summons Brahmarakshas and inadvertently saves Balan's life. Later, in a trance, Balan conveys Brahmarakshas's message and tries to kill Prithvi. Angad tries to explain to Kalindi that Madan is Brahmarakshas. Angad learns that Uma is his childhood friend Kalindi. Later, Kalindi learns Prithvi's truth and rushes to save Madan. Madan is saved by Kalindi but Brahmarakshas appears. Meanwhile, Damini stops Angad's marriage with Paridhi and shows everyone a video of Paridhi and Sid together, surprising everyone. Angad leaves the wedding and goes to find Kalindi and saves her from the Brahmarakshas. It is then revealed that After the trio return home, Prithvi fakes getting a heart attack and told everyone that Uma is Kalindi and that Kalindi should marry Angad and the preparation for Angad and Kalindi's starts. Meanwhile, Madan tells Kalindi not to marry Angad as Brahmarakshas could take anyone's form and he could take Angad's form and marry her so its not safe for her. Angad, Kalindi, Minty, Robin, Sakshi and Paridhi go for a picnic in the jungle. Where Paridhi learns of Kalindi's plan of leaving her wedding with Angad and marrying Madan. Paridhi agrees to help her by taking her place at the wedding with Angad. Angad realises the truth and goes to stop Madan and Kalindi's wedding. Brahmarakshas appears and wounds Madan but Kalindi manages to kill Brahmarakshas and Madan dies as well. Then Brahmarakshas is shown jumping out of the fire and is revealed to be alive. Prithvi tells Kalindi that Vikram is guilty of Raghav's death. Kalindi's words hurt Minty and she leaves the house for Robin. A revelation about Robin takes place, he is revealed as Brahmarakshas. Vikram dies by burning in front of everyone. Prithvi and Shalini go to a tantric. Kalindi gives consent to Robin and Minty's relationship and their Roka ceremony takes place. Later, Kalindi uses the solution given in the book to identify Brahmarakshas. Brahmarakshas saves Kalindi from the tantric. Kalindi learns that Robin is Brahmarakshas. Later, when the news of Brahamarakshas' death is broadcast on TV, Kalindi does not believe it. Kalindi tries to make everyone aware of Robin's truth. Later, Robin tells Kalindi that he is Brahmarakshas. A revelation about Brahmarakshas takes place while Angad announces his intention to marry Kalindi. Along with the kids, Kalindi makes a plan against Brahmarakshas. Due to Brahmarakshas, Kalindi gets proven wrong before Angad during the sangeet ceremony. Later, Angad sets the ‘granth’ on fire. Kalindi decides to sacrifice herself to save Robin. During Minty's haldi ceremony, Angad suspects that Kalindi has made a plan and asks her to tell the truth. Later, Brahmarakshas accepts Kalindi's condition. Kalindi saves Robin and puts an end to Brahmarakshas. Later, she falls prey to Prithvi's plan. And is later declared dead.

==== 2 years later ====
A secret agent is revealed and a new story begins.

In Delhi, a girl named Chandni steals a necklace and reaches Ambala. It is revealed that Chandni is the twin sister of Kalindi, who is also born in Rohini. As she steps on the ash of Brahmarakshas, it becomes alive again and kidnaps Chandni believing she is Kalindi to marry her. Soon, Kalindi is revealed to be alive as well. The Brahmarakshas gains control over Inspector Yug. Posing as her twin Kalindi, Chandni returns with Angad, who discerns that Chandni is not Kalindi. Meanwhile, Prithvi and Shalini try to kill Chandni. Iravat foils Guru Ma's attempt to release Kalindi. He learns Kalindi and Chandni's truth from her and informs Yug. Meanwhile, Chandni's bravery impresses Angad. Later, Yug locates Chandni and attempts to arrest her, only to be stopped by Angad. Chandni prepares for Ishaan and Sona's wedding. Yug gets Kalindi home and Guru Ma vows to save her from Yug and Iravat's clutches. Angad senses that Kalindi is nearby, while Guru Ma helps her escape from the house.

Sona and Ishaan's haldi ceremony begins. Prithvi tells Yug that an impostor is staying at his house. Prithvi then abducts Chandini and hands her over to Yug. On learning about it, Angad rescues Chandini and brings her home. Chandini tries to win Angad's heart but he asks her to leave the house. Robin and Minty give a piece of good news to the family. They tell the family that Minty is pregnant, resulting in Angad stopping Chandni from leaving the house. Later, suspicious of Yug, Angad reaches his house to seek the truth and is attacked by Iravat. Yug lies to Kalindi about her past. At the hospital, Kalindi helps Angad but fails to recognise him. A girl discovers the truth about Yug and Kalindi brings her home. At the hospital, one of the nurses tells Kalindi about a job. At home, Chandini gives a surprise to Angad and proposes to him. Angad doesn't give her an answer but after she risks her life to save his life he changes his mind, post which they get engaged. Posing as Minty's nurse, Kalindi sees her picture in the house. Chandini tries to see Minti's nurse's face. Later, Kalindi's clothes catch fire during Holika Dahan. Yug gets shocked on seeing Kalindi at Angad's house. He puts forth a condition before Prithvi, who plots to get Minty's nurse fired. Angad goes to the hospital to solve a mystery. Kalindi learns that Chandni is her twin. Brahmarakshas tries to kill Angad, but in vain. Later, Kalindi and Chandni join forces and kill Brahmarakshas. Chandni dies sacrificing her life for Kalindi and Angad. Angad and Kalindi unite. After sometime, Angad and Kalindi look at the sky together. They smile and see the broken star and pray.

Meanwhile, the Brahmarakshas becomes alive again and roars, looking out for a powerful body to possess.

==Cast==
===Season 1===
====Main====
* [[Krystle D'Souza]] as Raina Shrivastava: Rishabh's wife; Suresh's adoptive daughter
* [[Aham Sharma]] as Rishabh Shrivastava/Narsimha: Raina's husband; Sudha and Ashish's son; Mohini's foster-son; Rakhi's brother
* [[Parag Tyagi]] as Sanjay Thakur/Brahmarakshas: Aparajita's husband (Dead)

====Recurring====
* [[Rakshanda Khan]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Next Article » Brahmarakshas promo review: Krystle D'Souza's bridal blush is ruined by a MONSTER!|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/brahmarakshas-promo-review-krystle-dsouzas-bridal-blush-is-ruined-by-a-monster/|publisher=Bollywood Life|date=22 July 2016}}</ref> as Mohini Shrivastava: Yug's mother; Aditya and Aparajita's sister; Rishabh and Rakhi's aunt and stepmother
* [[Kishwer Merchant]] as Aparajita Thakur/Brahmarakshas: Sanjay's wife and killer; Mohini and Aditya's sister (Dead)
* [[Shailesh Datar]] as Nalin Shrivastava: Rishabh, Yug and Rakhi's father; Mohini's husband
* Amisha Shrivastava as Mishri Ranwaonkar
* Karan Chhabra<ref>{{cite news|title=Karan Chhabra to enter Brahmarakshas - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Karan-Chhabra-to-enter-Brahmarakshas/articleshow/55206921.cms|publisher=[[Times of India]]|date=2 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= New entry to add twist in Brahmarakshas!|url=http://www.abplive.in/television/new-entry-to-add-twist-in-brahmarakshas-439796|publisher=[[ABP News]]|date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Krystle D'souza has a new 'Karan' in her life – read details - Bollywoodlife.com|url=http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/krystel-dsouza-has-a-new-karan-in-her-life-read-details/|publisher=Bollywoodlife|author=Shweta Mahesh|date=29 October 2016}}</ref> as Shivam Singh Chhabra: Phooli's son; Raina's lover and helper
* [[Rishabh Shukla]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Rishabh, Srashti and Mridul in Zee TV's Brahmarakshas|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/rishabh-srashti-and-mridul-zee-tv-s-brahmarakshas-160729|publisher=Tellychakkar}}</ref> as Thakur Aditya Nigam: Mohini and Aparajita's brother; Mitali and Ved's father
* [[Abhaas Mehta]] as Yug Shrivastava: Nalin and Mohini's son; Rishabh and Rakhi's stepbrother; Naina's husband
* [[Ojaswi Oberoi]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Abhaas-Ojaswi return to small screen with Balaji's next for Zee TV|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/abhaas-ojaswi-return-small-screen-balaji-s-next-zee-tv-160715|publisher=Tellychakkar|date=15 July 2016}}</ref> as Naina Shrivastava: Yug's wife
* Kunal Vohra<ref>{{cite news|title=Kunal Vohra to debut with Zee TV's Brahmarakshas|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kunal-Vohra-to-debut-with-Zee-TVs-Brahmarakshas/articleshow/53333870.cms|publisher=Times of India|date=22 July 2016}}</ref> as Vedaaksh "Ved" Nigam: Aditya's son; Mitali's brother
* Srishti Maheshwari as Mitali Nigam: Aditya's daughter; Ved's sister
* Sonia Rakkar as Gayatri Malhotra
* [[Sahil Uppal]] as Ajay Malhotra
* [[Karan Sharma (TV actor)|Karan Sharma]]<ref name=act>{{cite news|title=Saahil, Charu and Karan in Zee TV's Brahmarakshas|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/saahil-charu-and-karan-zee-tv-s-brahmarakshas-160802|publisher=Tellychakkar|date=2 August 2016}}</ref> as Anil Malhotra
* Charu Mehra as Rakhi Shrivastava: Rishabh's sister; Sudha's daughter
* Shahab Khan as Sunil Munshi
* [[Apara Mehta]] as Jasmeet Shrivastava/Jassi/Dadi Bua
* [[Nikunj Malik]] as Kiara Sareen
* [[Alefia Kapadia]] as Kammo
* Manorama Bhattishyam as Phooli Singh Chhabra: Shivam's mother
* Mridul Das as Shyam
* Udit Shukla as Varun
* [[Komal Sharma]] as Sudha Shrivastava, Ashish's wife, Rishabh and Rakhi's mother
* Sunil Bob as Baba
* Unknown as Kanakraj, Mohini's helper

===Season 2===

==== Main ====
* Nikki Sharma as Kalindi Angad Mehra (née Sharma): Vishaka and Raghav's foster daughter and Minty's foster sister; Angad's love interest and later his wife (2020–21)
** as Chandni: Kalindi's twin sister. She sacrifices her life for her twin sister Kalindi and her lover Angad (2020–21) (deceased)
*[[Pearl V Puri]] as Angad Mehra: Shakti and Damini's son; Robin's brother and Kalindi's love interest turned husband (2020–21)
*Vaidehi Nair as Minty Sharma: Raghav and Vishakha's younger daughter; Kalindi's foster sister; Robin's love interest-turned-wife (2020–21)
*Rohit Choudhary as Robin Mehra: Shakti and Damini's younger son; Angad's younger brother; Minty's love interest-turned-husband (2020–21)
*[[Chetan Hansraj]] as Vardaan Chaudhary/Brahmarakshas (2020)
*[[Neel Motwani]] as Madan Srivastav: A priest who wants to kill Brahmarakshas, Angad and Kalindi's friend (2020) (deceased)
*[[Leenesh Mattoo]] as Siddharth: Vikram's son; Sakshi's husband (2020–21)
*[[Arpit Ranka]] as Yug Suryavanshi (2021) (deceased)

==== Recurring ====
*[[Mihir Mishra]] as Raghav Sharma: Kalindi's adoptive father and Minty's father; Vishakha's husband (2020)
*[[Ekta Sharma]] as Vishakha Sharma: Kalindi's adoptive mother and Minty's mother; Raghav's wife (2020)
*[[Aashish Kaul]] as Shakti Mehra: Angad and Robin's father; Raghav's best friend (2020–21)
*Roma Bali as Damini Mehra: Shakti's wife; Angad and Robin's mother (2020–21)
*Nikhil Arya as Prithvi Sharma: Shalini's husband; Paridhi, Sakshi and Raunak's father (2020–21)
*[[Papiya Sengupta]] as Shalini Sharma: Prithvi's wife; Paridhi, Sakshi and Raunak's mother (2020–21)
*Hemant Choudhary as Balan: Raghav's servant (2020–21)
*Rupa Divetia as Gehna: Jwala's helper before 16 years; Tantrik's lover and wife; Vardaan's helper (2020)
*Manish Khanna as Tantrik Jwala; Gehna's lover and husband: Brahmarakshas killed him (2020)
*Shivani Jha as Sakshi Sharma: Prithvi and Shalini's daughter; Siddharth's wife (2020–21)
*Aafreen Dabestani as Paridhi "Pari" Sharma: Prithvi and Shalini's elder daughter; Siddharth's ex-girlfriend, Angad's ex-fiancée (2020–21)
*Aanchal Srivastava as Raunak Sharma: Prithvi and Shalini's younger daughter (2020–21)
*Kalyani Chaitanya as Gurumaaa (future predictor)

==Production==

===Casting===
[[Pearl V Puri]] was selected to play the male lead and Nikki Sharma was cast to play the female lead for the second season of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/a-sneak-peek-into-pearl-v-puris-look-from-upcoming-show-brahmarakshas-2/amp_articleshow/78036757.cms|title=A sneak peek into Pearl V Puri's look from upcoming show Brahmarakshas 2|website= The Times Of India|access-date=2020-11-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/nikki-sharma-plans-on-pursuing-her-graduation-alongside-shooting-for-brahmarakshas-2/amp_articleshow/78300004.cms|title=Nikki Sharma plans on pursuing her graduation alongside shooting for Brahmarakshas 2|website= The Times Of India}}</ref>[[Chetan Hansraj]] was selected to play the titular role of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/chetan-hansraj-to-play-the-title-role-in-brahmarakshas-2/amp_articleshow/79477309.cms|title=Chetan Hansraj to play the title role in Brahmarakshas 2|website= The Times Of India}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response (season 1)===
[[Times Of India]] stated, "The show definitely has a gripping storyline, and the viewers just don't know what to expect next. It's fast-paced, edgy and doesn't give you time to think".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://m.timesofindia.com/tv/news/hindi/Brahmarakshas-Review-Barring-a-few-glitches-Krystle-DSouzas-show-manages-to-impress/articleshow/53595819.cms|title=Brahmarakshas Review: Barring a few glitches, Krystle D'Souza's show manages to impress|website=Times of India|date=8 August 2016}}</ref>

===Ratings===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- align=center
!rowspan="2"| Week and year
! rowspan="2" |Episodes
! colspan="2" |BARC viewership (Hindi GEC overall)
! rowspan="2" |Ref.
|-
! Impressions (in millions)
! Ranking
|-
|Week 32, 2016
|1–2
|10.82
|2
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/india-ratings-brahmarakshas-opens-up-at-no-2/|title=India ratings: 'Brahmarakshas' opens up at No.2|website=Biz Asia|date=19 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-wk-32-star-utsav-rises-to-no-2-in-rural-urban-viewership-68259.html|title=BARC ratings Wk 32: Star Utsav rises to No. 2 in rural+urban viewership|website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 33, 2016
| 3–4
|10.27
|2
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-wk-33-star-plus-continues-lead-in-rural-urban-viewership-68355.html#:~:text=BARC%20ratings%20for%20Week%2033,the%20top%20order%20remain%20unchanged|title=BARC ratings Wk 33: Star Plus continues lead in rural+urban viewership|website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 34, 2016
|5–6
|9.92
|2
|<ref>{{cite web|title=BARC Ratings Week 34: Star Plus continues at No. 1, Star Utsav slips to No. 5 |url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-34-star-plus-continues-at-no-1-star-utsav-slips-to-no-5-68493.html |website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 35, 2016
|7–8
|10.64
|3
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-35-star-plus-continues-to-lead-in-rural-urban-68633.html#:~:text=BARC%20ratings%20for%20Week%2035,in%20Week%2035%20as%20well.|title=BARC Ratings Week 35: Star Plus continues to lead in Rural+Urban |website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 36, 2016
|9–10
|11.52
|2
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-36-star-plus-remains-at-no-1-in-rural-urban-68774.html#:~:text=BARC%20ratings%20for%20Week%2036,from%20761%2C819%20recorded%20last%20week.|title=BARC Ratings Week 36: Star Plus remains at No. 1 in Rural+Urban|website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 37, 2016
|11–12
|11.31
|1
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-37-colors-back-at-no-2-in-rural-urban-68901.html|title=BARC Ratings Week 37: Colors back at No. 2 in Rural+Urban|website=[[Adgully.com]]}}</ref>
|-
|Week 38, 2016
|13–14
|12.38
|2
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-38-star-plus-continues-lead-in-rural-urban-69018.html#:~:text=BARC%20ratings%20for%20Week%2038,decline%20in%20their%20gross%20viewership.|title=BARC Ratings Week 38: Star Plus continues lead in Rural+Urban|website=Adgully.com}}</ref>
|-
|Week 39, 2016
|15–16
|11.46
|1
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-39-star-plus-continues-lead-in-rural-urban-69151.html#:~:text=BARC%20ratings%20for%20Week%2039,channels'%20rankings%20remained%20largely%20unchanged.|title=BARC Ratings Week 39: Star Plus continues lead in Rural+Urban|website=Adgully.com}}</ref>
|-
|Week 40, 2016
|17–18
|10.92
|1
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adgully.com/barc-ratings-week-40-star-plus-leads-steep-decline-for-star-utsav-69288.html|title=BARC Ratings Week 40: Star Plus leads; steep decline for Star Utsav|website=Adgully.com}}</ref>
|-
|Week 41, 2016
|19–20
|9.11
|6
|
|-
|Week 42, 2016
|20–21
|7.50
|15
|
|-
|Week 43, 2016
|22–23
|7.06
|13
|
|}

==See also==
* [[List of Hindi horror shows]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.zee5.com/channels/details/zee-tv/0-9-zeetv Zee TV Official website] on [[ZEE5]]
* [[Zee TV]] on [https://www.youtube.com/user/zeetv YouTube]
* [https://www.zeeentertainment.com Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited]
* [https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/brahmarakshas/0-6-161 Brahmarakshas] on [[ZEE5]]
* [https://www.zee5.com/global/tvshows/details/brahmarakshas-2/0-6-3006 Brahmarakshas 2] on [[ZEE5]]
{{Zee TV Programmes}}
{{Balaji Telefilms}}
{{Beauty and the Beast}}

[[Category:Balaji Telefilms television series]]
[[Category:2016 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:Indian fantasy television series]]
[[Category:Indian drama television series]]
[[Category:2017 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Hindi-language television shows]]
[[Category:Indian supernatural television series]]
[[Category:Zee TV original programming]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Hindu mythology in popular culture]]

Kumkum Bhagya

2026-04-04T10:12:12Z

172.71.198.183:

{{short description|Indian drama television series}}
{{pp|reason=Persistent addition of [[WP:INTREF|unsourced or poorly sourced content]]; requested at [[WP:RfPP]]|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image = KumkumBhagyaTitleScreen.png
| creator = [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| genre = [[Drama]] [[Romance film|Romance]]
| developer = [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| story = Anil Nagpal
| screenplay = Anil Nagpal Mrinal Tripathi '''Dialogues''' Dheeraj Sarna Vikash tiwari
| director = [[Ravindra Gautam]] Sameer Kulkarni Sharad Pandey Jeetu Arora Deepak Chavan Shahnawaz Khan Khalid Akhtar Muzammil Desai
| creative_director = Shaalu Nitin Dhall Rajan Prachi Tanya Rajesh Kiran Gupta
| starring = {{ubl| [[Sriti Jha]] [[Shabir Ahluwalia]] 
Krishna Kaul [[Mugdha Chaphekar]] [[Rachi Sharma]] [[Abrar Qazi]] [[Pranali Rathod]] Akshay Bindra [[Namik Paul]]}}
| theme_music_composer = Lalit Sen Nawab Arzoo
| opentheme = "Kumkum Bhagya"
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 3208
| producer = [[Ekta Kapoor]] [[Shobha Kapoor]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Sense and Sensibility]]''|[[Jane Austen]]}}<ref name="Sensibility">{{Cite news |date=3 June 2015 |title=Why Ekta Kapoor tore off Kumkum Bhagya's script 5 times? – The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Why-Ekta-Kapoor-tore-off-Kumkum-Bhagyas-script-5-times/articleshow/35602374.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604185707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Why-Ekta-Kapoor-tore-off-Kumkum-Bhagyas-script-5-times/articleshow/35602374.cms |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=9 May 2019 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| cinematography = Sanjay Memane Anil Katke
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|04|15|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2025|09|21|df=y}}
| related = ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]'' ''[[Bhagya Lakshmi]]''
| network = [[Zee TV]]
| image_alt =
| caption =
| list_episodes =
}}

'''''Kumkum Bhagya''''' ({{translation|''Vermillion in My Fate''}}) is an Indian [[Hindi]]-language drama television series produced by [[Ekta Kapoor]] under [[Balaji Telefilms]].<ref name="IExp">[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ekta-kapoor-brings-another-love-story-on-tv-with-kumkum-bhagya/ Ekta Kapoor brings another love story on TV with 'Kumkum Bhagya'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228104055/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ekta-kapoor-brings-another-love-story-on-tv-with-kumkum-bhagya/ |date=28 February 2014 }} The Indian Express.Retrieved on 15 September 2014.</ref> It aired from 15 April 2014 to 21 September 2025 on [[Zee TV]] and digitally streams on [[ZEE5]].<ref name="hindustantimes.com">[http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-to-replace-pavitra-rishta/article1-1180207.aspx Kumkum Bhagya to replace Pavitra Rishta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022090026/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-to-replace-pavitra-rishta/article1-1180207.aspx |date=22 October 2014 }} Hindustan Times, Retrieved on 15 September 2014.</ref> It starred [[Sriti Jha]], [[Shabir Ahluwalia]], [[Mugdha Chaphekar]], Krishna Kaul, [[Rachi Sharma]], [[Abrar Qazi]], [[Pranali Rathod]] and [[Namik Paul]] in lead roles. One of the [[List of longest-running Indian television series|longest running Indian television soap opera]], the concept of the show was originally based on [[Jane Austen]]'s novel ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]''.<ref name=Sensibility/>

==Plot==
The series begins with Pragya Arora, a college lecturer, and Abhishek “Abhi” Mehra, a wealthy rock star, whose marriage is arranged through family intervention. Their relationship is initially strained due to manipulations by Abhi’s sister Aliya and his former partner Tanu. The narrative follows repeated misunderstandings, conspiracies, memory-loss incidents, and separations. Despite numerous obstacles, Pragya and Abhi reconcile multiple times. The birth of their twin daughters, Prachi and Rhea, coincides with another major separation, leading to the children being raised apart.

After a twenty-year leap, the story focuses on Prachi Arora and Rhea Mehra, who grow up unaware they are twin sisters. Prachi develops a relationship with Ranbir Kohli, while Rhea’s feelings for him create rivalry. Family interference and concealed truths complicate their lives until the sisters’ true parentage is revealed. Although Abhi and Pragya briefly reunite with their daughters, continued misunderstandings affect the family. Prachi eventually marries Ranbir, but their relationship faces many challenges arising from Ranbir's family, Rhea's obsession for Ranbir and many other misunderstandings.

A further leap introduces Prachi and Ranbir’s daughters, Khushi and Poorvi. Raised in different circumstances due to family conflict, the sisters’ lives unfold amid hidden identities and inherited tensions. Poorvi’s relationship with Rajvansh Malhotra becomes central to this phase. As past grievances resurface, the family once again confronts separation and reconciliation.

Another generational transition introduces new protagonists, including Prarthana Parikh and Raunak Zaveri, whose lives intersect through family and business alliances connected to earlier characters. Their relationship is shaped by mistrust, rivalry, and concealed motives. While legacy figures appear intermittently, the storyline centres on the younger generation navigating conflicts rooted in the family’s past, continuing the series’ recurring themes of destiny and reunion.

==Cast==
===Main===
* [[Sriti Jha]] as Pragya Arora Mehra: Raghuveer and Sarla's daughter (2014–2021; 2023)
* [[Shabir Ahluwalia]] as Abhishek "Abhi" Mehra: Prem and Santoshi's son (2014–2021; 2023)
* [[Mugdha Chaphekar]] as Prachi Mehra Kohli: Abhishek and Pragya's daughter. (2019–2024)
* Krishna Kaul as Ranbir Kohli: Vikram and Pallavi's son. (2019–2024)
* [[Rachi Sharma]] as Poorvi Kohli Malhotra: Ranbir and Prachi's daughter (2023–2025)
* [[Abrar Qazi]] as Rajvansh "RV" Malhotra: Harman and Harleen's son (2023–2025)
* [[Pranali Rathod]] as Prarthana Malhotra Randhawa: Rajveer and Poorvi's daughter. (2025)
* [[Namik Paul]] as Shivansh Randhawa: Smita's son. (2025)

===Recurring===
* [[Mrunal Thakur]] as Bulbul Arora Khanna: Sarla and Raghuveer's third daughter (2014–2016)
* [[Supriya Shukla]] as Sarla Arora: Raghuveer's widow (2014–2018)
* Madhu Raja as Daljeet Kaur Arora: Raghuveer's mother (2014–2018)
* Jasjeet Babbar as Janki: The Aroras' handmaiden (2014–2018)
* [[Arjit Taneja]] as Purab Khanna: Abhi's best friend (2014–2016)
**[[Vin Rana]] replaced Taneja as Purab (2016–2021)
* [[Madhurima Tuli]] as Tanushree "Tanu" Mehta: Alia's best friend (2014)
** [[Leena Jumani]] replaced Tuli as Tanu (2014–2021)
* Akshay Bindra as Raunak Zaveri: Kanti and Smita's son (2025)
* Kanupriya Pandit as Sweety: Pragya and Bulbul's aunt (2014)
* Faisal Rashid as Suresh Shrivastav: Rachna's brother (2014–2015)
* Daljeet Soundh as Daljeet Kaur Mehra: Swarni and Indu's sister (2014–2018)
* Charu Mehra as Poorvi: Janki's daughter (2014–2015)
* [[Neel Motwani]] as Corporator Neil Thakur (2014–2015)
* [[Shikha Singh]] as Alia Mehra Khanna: Santoshi and Prem's daughter (2014–2020)
**[[Reyhna Malhotra]] replaced Singh as Alia (2020–2023)
* Shivaani Sopuri as Parminder "Pammi" Kaur Mehra: Ajay's wife (2014–2021)
* Ajay Trehan as Ajay Mehra: Daljeet's elder son; Prem's brother (2014–2020)
* [[Ankit Mohan]] as Akash Mehra: Parminder and Ajay's younger son (2014–2016)
* [[Aditi Rathore]] as Rachna Shrivastav Mehra: Suresh's sister (2014–2016)
* Zarina Khan as Inderjit Kaur Suri: Daljeet and Swarni's sister (2014–2020)
* Radha Israni as Swarni Dasi: Abhi, Alia, Raj and Akash's grand-aunt (2014–2018)
**Asha Sharma replaced Israni as Swarni (2018–2020)
* [[Anurag Sharma (actor)|Anurag Sharma]] as Raj Mehra: Parminder and Ajay's elder son (2014–2021)
* [[Samikssha Batnagar]] as Mitali Mehra: Raj's wife (2014)
**Swati Anand replaced Batnagar as Mitali (2014–2021)
* Haelyn Shastri as News Reporter (2015)
* Nikhil Arya as Nikhil Sood: Tanu's ex-lover (2015{{Endash}}2017)
**Rajat Dahiya replaced Arya as Nikhil (2017{{Endash}}2018)
**[[Shaad Randhawa]] replaced Dahiya as Nikhil (2018–2019)
* Bobby Khanna as Mr. Mehta: Tanu's father (2015–2017)
* Roma Lavani as Mrs. Mehta: Tanu's mother (2015–2018)
* Pratik Parihar as Manohar: Abhi's accountant who schemed against Pragya (2016)
* [[Vijay Kashyap]] as Raghuveer Arora: Daljeet's son (2017)
* [[Nitin Goswami]] as Dushyant Rana: Simonica's husband who was accidentally killed by Abhishek (2017–2018)
* [[Ruchi Savarn]] as Disha Singh: Purab's ex-wife (2017–2019)
* Sharhaan Singh as Sangram Singh Chautala: Disha's ex-fiancé (2017–2018)
* [[Vivana Singh]] as Simonica Dushyant Rana: Dushyant's widow (2017–2018)
* Shwetanshu Singh as Dr. Sheila (2017)
* [[Mishal Raheja]] as King Singh: A rapper based in the UK; Pragya's former boss and one-sided lover (2018–2019)
* Kaurwaki Vasistha as Kiara Mehra: Pragya and Abhi's eldest daughter (2018–2019)
* Vedansh Jaju as Sunny Khanna: Purab and Disha's son (2018–2019)
* [[Richa Rathore]] as Neha "Babli" Mehra: Mitali and Raj's daughter (2018)
* Abeer Adil as Tarun: King's cousin; Neha's husband (2018–2019)
* Roma Bali as Tarun's mother: King's aunt (2018–2019)
* [[Naina Singh]] as Rhea Mehra: Pragya and Abhi's youngest daughter (2019{{Endash}}2020)
**[[Pooja Banerjee]] replaced Singh as Rhea (2020{{Endash}}2022)
**[[Tina Philip]] replaced Banerjee as Rhea (2022{{Endash}}2023)
* [[Mehul Kajaria]] as Vikram Kohli: Daljeet's eldest son (2019{{Endash}}2021)
**[[Rushad Rana]] replaced Kajaria as Vikram (2021{{Endash}}2023)
* Khyati Keswani as Pallavi Kohli: Vikram's wife (2019–2023)
* [[Kiran Bhargava]] as Daljeet "Dida" Kohli: Vikram, Vikrant and Arun's mother (2019{{Endash}}2022)
**Smita Shetty replaced Bhargava as Daljeet "Dida" (2022-2023)
* Pooja Singh as Mishti Kohli: Vikram and Pallavi's daughter (2019)
* Jaanvi Sangwan as Beeji: A [[nurse]] who took Pragya in after the latter's exile; Shahana's paternal grandmother (2019)
* Aparna Mishra as Shahana Sharma: Beeji's granddaughter (2019–2023)
* Zeeshan Khan as Aryan Khanna: Alia and Purab's son (2019{{Endash}}2021)
**Pulkit Bangia replaced Khan as Aryan (2022{{Endash}}2023)
**Naveen Sharma replaced Bangia as Aryan (2023)
* [[Ashlesha Sawant]] as Meera: Rhea's foster mother (2019–2021)
* [[Manmohan Tiwari]] as Rohit "Sanju" Gill: A local gangster of [[Hoshiarpur]]; Prachi's obsessive one-sided lover (2019–2020)
* Ashwini Tobe as Dimpy: Rhea's friend (2019–2020)
* Shivali Choudhry as Shaina: Rhea's friend (2019–2022)
* [[Neena Cheema]] as Sarita Ben: A Gujrati women who gave refuge to Pragya and Prachi (2019{{Endash}}2020)
**Rupa Divetia replaced Cheema as Sarita Bengaluru (2020{{Endash}}2021)
* Gautam Nain as Rishi Dhaval: Sarita's grandson (2019)
* Kajal Chauhan as Priyanka Rane: Abhi's friend's daughter (2019)
* [[Sonali Joshi]] as Chief Minister Vasudha (2019)
* [[Ribbhu Mehra]] as Ritik: Disha's friend and secret lover (2019)
* [[Baby Farida|Farida Dadi]] as Baljeet Mehra: Abhi, Raj, Akash and Alia's grand-aunt (2020–2021/2023)
* Rose Khan as Maya Choubey: Ranbir's ex-fiancée (2020)
* [[Manish Khanna]] as Dushyant Singh Choubey: Maya's uncle (2020)
* Bhupendra Khuranna as Mr. Choubey: Maya's father, Dushyant's younger brother (2020)
* Anuradha Sharma as Mrs. Choubey: Maya's mother (2020)
* Naina Yadav as Palak: Prachi and Shahana's friend (2021)
* Gagan Anand as Digvijay: Abhishek's business rival (2021)
* Gazala Silawat as Pari: Rhea's friend (2021)
* Rohit Choudhary as Pradeep Khurana: Tanu's ex-husband (2021)
* [[Dolly Sohi]] as Sushma Tandon: A rich businesswoman and Pragya's mentor (2021)
* [[Vineet Kumar Chaudhary]] as Gautam Thapar: A businessman; Sushma and Pragya's business partner (2021)
* Jatin Shah as Gaurav Thapar: Gautam's elder brother (2021)
* Riyaz Panjwani as Mr. Thapar: Gaurav and Gautam's father (2021)
* Kushagra Nautiyal as Siddharth "Sid" Kohli: Vikrant's son (2021–2023)
* Shamik Abbas as Arun Kohli: Daljeet's youngest son (2021)
* Mridula Oberoi as Teji Kohli: Arun's wife (2021)
* Abhishek Kumar as Jai Bhatt: Ranbir's best friend (2021–2022)
* Gulshan Shivani as Stanley: Ranbir's assistant (2022)
* Aishana Singh as Mihika Kohli: Vikrant's daughter (2022–2023)
* Veronica Talreja as Mili: Aryan's ex-girlfriend and friend (2022)
* Mimicharve Khadse as Mauli: a girl whom Prachi loved as her own after she lost Panchi (2023)
* [[Aalisha Panwar]] as Kaya Malhotra: Ranbir's former boss (2023)
* Simran Budharup as Khushi "Panchi" Kohli Randhawa: Ranbir and Prachi's elder daughter (2023{{Endash}}2024)
**[[Jyotsna Chandola]] replaced Budharup as Khushi (2024-2025)
** Trisha Rohatgi as child Khushi (2023)
* [[Abhishek Malik]] as Akshay Tandon: Ashok's son; Mihika's brother (2023)
* Aafreen Dabestani as Mihika Tandon: Ashok's daughter (2023)
* Mallika Nayak as Manpreet Tandon: Ashok's second wife (2023–2024)
* Kaushal Kapoor as Ashok Tandon: Prachi's former boss and father figure (2023–2024)
* Utkarsha Naik as Vishakha Tandon: Ashok's sister (2023–2024)
* Riya Kapoor as Divya Tandon: Vishakha's daughter; (2023)
**Mahira Sharma replaced Kapoor as Divya (2023–2024)
* Purvi Pawar as Neha Tandon: Akshay, Mihika, Abhay and Divya's cousin (2023)
* Sparsh Kotwal as Abhay Tandon: Akshay, Mihika's brother (2023)
* Vishal Solanki as Satinder: Prachi's rival colleague (2023)
* Pallavi Mahara as Damini: Aryan's suitress (2023)
* Sharika Ahluwalia as Laali: A poor, greedy woman who raised Panchi/Khushi (2023)
* Mohsin Khan as Balbira: Laali's boyfriend (2023)
* Ipsita Jena as Priya: Prachi's assistant (2023)
* Sanchita Ugale as Diya Tandon: Divya’s daughter; (2023–2025)
* Vishal Solanki as Jasbeer: Poorvi's one sided lover (2023–2025)
* Arjun Shekhawat as Ashutosh: Poorvi’s ex-fiancé (2023–2024)
* [[Imran Khan (TV actor)|Imran Khan]] as Harman Malhotra: Harleen's husband (2023–2025)
* [[Pyumori Mehta Ghosh]] as Harleen Malhotra: Rajvansh and Vikrant's mother (2023–2025)
* Kirti Sualy as Rajvansh's grandmother (2023–2025)
* [[Susheel Parashar]] as Rajvansh's grandfather (2023–2025)
* [[Preet Kaur Nayak]] as Dipika Malhotra: Monisha's sister (2023–2025)
*Rahul Ram Manchanda as Vikrant Malhotra: Harleen and Harman's elder son (2023–2025)
* Priti Gandwani as Rajvansh's aunt (2023–2025)
* Anuj Khurana as Rajvansh's uncle (2023–2025)
* Nakul Ulja as Yug Malhotra: Rajvansh’s cousin (2023–2025)
* Kavita Banerjee as Trishna Jaiswal: Krishna's wife (2024)
* Ajay Sharma as Gajendra Jaiswal; Trishna’s father (2024)
* Hetal Yadav as Rajni Jaiswal; Trishna's mother (2024)
* [[Hemant Choudhary]] as Amar Dayal; Jaiswal's political rival (2024)
*[[Srishti Jain]] as Monisha: Dipika's sister; (2024–2025)
*Bhawana Aneja as Roshni: Dushyant's wife (2024–2025)
* [[Aakash Talwar]] as Armaan Randhawa: Khushi's husband (2024–2025)
* Parimal Bhattacharya as Kishan Parikh: Seema's husband (2025)
* Vandana Mittal as Seema Parikh: Kishan's wife (2025)
* [[Jaya Bhattacharya]] as Bua Maa (2025)
* Phalguni Sharma/Honeyy Soni as Gayatri Parikh: Kishan and Seema's daughter (2025)
* Hina Dani as Baa: Kanti, Devang, Hitesh and Kinjal's mother (2025)
* Vijhay Badlaani as Kanti Zaveri: Devang, Hitesh and Kinjal's brother (2025)
* [[Gurdeep Kohli|Gurdip Punjj]] as Smita Zaveri: Kanti's wife (2025)
* Isha Pandhe as Sneha Zaveri: Kanti and Smita's daughter (2025)
* Nitin Vakharia as Devang Zaveri: Kanti, Hitesh and Kinjal's brother (2025)
* Bhavwini Gandhi as Shubhvi Zaveri: Devang's wife (2025)
* Abhay Bhadoriya as Tanuj Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's son (2025)
* Hanisha Gehlot as Sejal Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's daughter (2025)
* Mohit Jaswani as Arjun Zaveri: Devang and Shubhvi's son; (2025)
* Parri Galaa as Kinjal Zaveri: Kanti, Hitesh and Devang's sister (2025)
* Kalpesh Patel as Hitenkumar: Kinjal's husband (2025)
* [[Vedaant Saluja]] as Harsh: Kinjal and Hitenkumar's son (2025)
* Ahnaf F Khatri as Kirtan: Kinjal and Hitenkumar's son (2025)
* V S Prince Ratan as Yogi (2025)
* Unknown as Vihaan: Sneha's ex-fiance (2025)
* Aarchi Sachdeva as Payal Shah: Praful and Ketki's daughter (2025)
* Rashika Matharu as Ketki Shah: Praful's wife; (2025)
* Nikhhil Raj Khera as Praful Shah: Ketki's husband (2025)
* MM Rishi as Bhavesh: Prarthana's suitor (2025)
* Rita Sharma Gupta as Daxa: Bhavesh's mother (2025)
* Aryan Raajput as Mayank: Raunak's friend (2025)
* Snehal Waghmare as Raunak's aunt (2025)
* Hetal Puniwala as Raunak's uncle (2025)
*[[Shraddha Arya]] as Dr. Preeta Arora: Pragya, Bulbul and Srishti's sister (2025)
*[[Shakti Anand]] as Karan Luthra: Preeta's husband (2025)
*Roopam Sharma as Sonalika Jaitley: Anisha's daughter (2025)
**Megha Prasad replaced Sharma as Sonalika (2025)
* Casting Director Ankit Alex

==Production==
===Development===
The series is a [[Romance (love)|love story]]<ref>{{Cite web |title='Kumkum Bhagya' a passionate story of love: Ekta Kapoor |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Kumkum-Bhagya-a-passionate-story-of-love-Ekta-Kapoor/articleshow/29845111.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620153034/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Kumkum-Bhagya-a-passionate-story-of-love-Ekta-Kapoor/articleshow/29845111.cms |archive-date=20 June 2014 |access-date=1 April 2014 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> produced by [[Ekta Kapoor]] and [[Shobha Kapoor]] under the banner [[Balaji Telefilms]] that airs on Zee TV. Ekta Kapoor considers the letter ''K'' to be lucky and has named many of her productions starting with ''K''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekta Kapoor brings back 'K' factor with 'Kumkum Bhagya' |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-kapoor-brings-back-k-factor-with-kumkum-bhagya-1973814 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412085204/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-ekta-kapoor-brings-back-k-factor-with-kumkum-bhagya-1973814 |archive-date=12 April 2018 |access-date=11 April 2018 |website=DNA}}</ref>

Kapoor rejected 19 costumes while selecting the look of character Pragya.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-17 |title=Ekta Kapoor rejects 19 costumes for the perfect one! |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/television-news/article/ekta-kapoor-rejects-19-costumes-for-the-perfect-one--15383186 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

===Filming===
The production and airing of the show was halted indefinitely in late March 2020 due to the [[COVID-19]] outbreak in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2020 |title=Television Industry in a Slump With the Lockdown |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/television-industry-experiencing-slowdown-with-the-lockdown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612101235/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/tv/television-industry-experiencing-slowdown-with-the-lockdown |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=[[The Quint]]}}</ref> The outbreak caused the halt of filming of television shows and movies on 19 March 2020, and they were expected to resume on 1 April 2020. But shooting remained suspended and the remaining episodes were aired up to 24 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus outbreak: Film and television shootings to stop till March 31 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/coronavirus-outbreak-film-and-television-shootings-to-stop-till-march-31-1655773-2020-03-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316013939/https://www.indiatoday.in/television/reality-tv/story/coronavirus-outbreak-film-and-television-shootings-to-stop-till-march-31-1655773-2020-03-15 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2020 |title=COVID-19 impact: TV industry braces for loss as production stalled |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-tv-industry-braces-for-loss-as-production-stalled-11584938268645.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612101236/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-tv-industry-braces-for-loss-as-production-stalled-11584938268645.html |archive-date=12 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=Live Mint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entertainment industry welcomes Maharashtra govt's move to resume filming projects |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/entertainment-industry-welcomes-maharashtra-govts-move-to-resume-filming-projects/1851923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621083048/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/entertainment-industry-welcomes-maharashtra-govts-move-to-resume-filming-projects/1851923 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=[[Outlook India]]}}</ref> After three months, the production and filming of the series resumed on 29 June 2020 and airing resumed on 13 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sriti Jha, Shabir Ahluwalia, Dheeraj Dhoopar and Shraddha Arya shoot together for Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya post lockdown |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/sriti-jha-shabir-ahluwalia-dheeraj-dhoopar-and-shraddha-arya-shoot-together-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-post-lockdown/photostory/76688049.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629141551/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/sriti-jha-shabir-ahluwalia-dheeraj-dhoopar-and-shraddha-arya-shoot-together-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-post-lockdown/photostory/76688049.cms |archive-date=29 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2020 |title=Sriti Jha, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Shraddha Arya, Dheeraj Dhoopar Shoot for Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-shraddha-arya-dheeraj-dhoopar-shoot-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-2692391.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629224900/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-shraddha-arya-dheeraj-dhoopar-shoot-for-kumkum-bhagya-and-kundali-bhagya-2692391.html |archive-date=29 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=News 18 India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-29 |title='Kumkum Bhagya', 'Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega' among shows back with new episodes from July 13 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/television/kumkum-bhagya-guddan-tumse-na-ho-payega-among-shows-back-with-new-episodes-from-july-13-2292591.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702204857/https://zeenews.india.com/television/kumkum-bhagya-guddan-tumse-na-ho-payega-among-shows-back-with-new-episodes-from-july-13-2292591.html |archive-date=2 July 2020 |access-date=2020-12-16 |website=Zee News |language=en}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[Shabbir Ahluwalia]],<ref name="inidatoday">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2015 |title=Pragya's Glamorous looks in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya-289361-2015-08-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151352/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya/1/459928.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=India Today}}</ref> who was also cast in Ekta's TV series ''[[Kayamath]]'', was selected to portray the lead role of Abhishek Prem Mehra. Ahluwalia made his comeback after Zee twenty years. Actress [[Sriti Jha]] landed the lead role in the show.<ref name="inidatoday" /> [[Mrunal Thakur]] was selected to portray the second leading role of Bulbul<ref name="indiatoday.intoday.in">{{Cite web |date=11 December 2015 |title=Bulbul and Purab finally get married |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/kumkum-bhagya-spoiler-bulbul-and-purab-finally-get-married-mrunal-thakur-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-276804-2015-12-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212054454/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kumkum-bhagya-spoiler-bulbul-and-purab-finally-get-married-mrunal-thakur-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia/1/544663.html |archive-date=12 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Indiatoday}}</ref> while [[Arjit Taneja]] was cast opposite her.<ref name="indiatoday.intoday.in" /><ref name="Shikha">{{Cite web |last=Neha Maheshwari |date=2 September 2015 |title=Why Shikha Singh has to bend in Reel Life? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Why-Shikha-Singh-has-to-bend-in-reel-life/articleshow/41436992.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928180348/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Why-Shikha-Singh-has-to-bend-in-reel-life/articleshow/41436992.cms |archive-date=28 September 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> In May 2014, [[Shikha Singh]] entered the show as the main antagonist Alia Mehra,<ref name="Shikha" /><ref name="IndiaToday">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2015 |title=Pragya's Glamorous looks in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya-289361-2015-08-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222151352/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/video-of-pragyas-glamourous-look-in-kumkum-bhagya/1/459928.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Indiatoday}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=21 June 2014 |title=Shikha Singh shoots for 72 hours |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news/Kumkum-Bhagya-actress-Shikha-Singh-shoots-for-72-hours/articleshow/36895665.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328071725/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news/Kumkum-Bhagya-actress-Shikha-Singh-shoots-for-72-hours/articleshow/36895665.cms |archive-date=28 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2015 |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> while [[Madhurima Tuli]] was cast to portray the negative role of Tanu. Later, Tuli had to shoot for her film [[Baby (2015 Hindi film)|''Baby'']] so, this role was later played by [[Leena Jumani]] from September 2014.<ref name="Leena">{{Cite web |date=20 October 2014 |title=Kumkum Bhagya: Leena replaces Madhurima Tuli on the show |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Leena-replaces-Madhurima-Tuli-on-the-show/articleshow/44878499.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312124852/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-Leena-replaces-Madhurima-Tuli-on-the-show/articleshow/44878499.cms |archive-date=12 March 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |website=Neha Mahishwari |publisher=Times of India}}</ref> Actor Faisal Rashid was selected to portray the role of Suresh (Pragya's fiancé) who played an important role in April–May 2014, but in May 2015 he quit the series. Actress Supriya Shukla was cast to play the role of Sarla Arora, while Madhu Raja played the role of Daljeet Arora. Other supporting cast members include [[Samikssha Batnagar]], [[Ankit Mohan]], Charu Mehra and Amit Dhawan. Bhatnagar, who portrayed the supporting role of Mitali was replaced by Swati Anand within the month of launch while [[Anurag Sharma (actor)|Anurag Sharma]] replaced Amit. In 2015, Neel Motawani (who was also cast in other shows of Ekta) was selected to play the negative role of Neel; while in June 2015 Nikhil Arya entered the series playing the role of main male antagonist Nikhil Sood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2015 |title=Nikkhil enters Kumkum Bhagya as Nikhil |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Nikkhil-enters-Kumkum-Bhagya-as-Nikhil/articleshow/47555587.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910062038/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Nikkhil-enters-Kumkum-Bhagya-as-Nikhil/articleshow/47555587.cms |archive-date=10 September 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

In December 2015, Mrunal Thakur opted out from the show and was to be replaced by Kajol Shrivastava, however the character of Bulbul was phased out of the series after Mrunal's departure. In August 2016, Ankit Mohan quit the show so his character left as well. In September 2016, Arjit Taneja quit the show and was replaced by [[Vin Rana]]. In October 2016, Nikhil Arya was replaced by Rujut Dahiya.<ref name="Nikhil">{{Cite web |date=3 November 2016 |title=Rujut Dahiya to replace Nikhil Arya |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/life-style/itsy-bitsy/rujut-dahiya-to-replace-nikhil-arya/317846.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050751/http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/life-style/itsy-bitsy/rujut-dahiya-to-replace-nikhil-arya/317846.html |archive-date=3 March 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |publisher=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|Tribune India]]}}</ref> In July 2017, actress [[Ruchi Savarn]] entered the show as Purab's new love interest. Mishal Raheja as King Singh and Kaurwakee Vashista as Kiara Mehra entered the show after the leap. Actor Abeer Adil was cast in 2018 as King's cousin Tarun and Roma Bali as Tarun's mother.

In March 2019, a twenty-year leap was introduced with which several new characters entered in the show and became pivotal characters. In March 2019, [[Mugdha Chaphekar]], Krishna Kaul and [[Naina Singh]] were introduced as leads of the second generation who play Prachi, Ranbir and Rhea respectively alongside Sriti and Shabbir. In August 2020, Naina left the show as she was not happy playing a negative role anymore and [[Pooja Banerjee]] replaced Singh as Rhea. In February 2022, Pooja Banerjee quit the show due to her pregnancy, and she was replaced by [[Tina Ann Philip]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maheshwari |first=Neha |date=28 February 2022 |title=It's confirmed! Tina Philip to replace Pooja Banerjee in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/its-confirmed-tina-philip-to-replace-pooja-banerjee-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/89890858.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228113715/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/its-confirmed-tina-philip-to-replace-pooja-banerjee-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/89890858.cms |archive-date=28 February 2022 |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> In February 2022, Jha and Ahluwalia officially quit the show after seven and half years as the story progressed on from their characters. They had last shot for the show in November 2021.

The show then took another generation leap of twenty years in November 2023, with [[Rachi Sharma]] and [[Abrar Qazi]] roped in as the new leads of generation three with Sharma portraying Prachi and Ranbir's younger daughter Poorvi Kohli while Qazi as Rajvansh Malhotra respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doshi |first=Hasti |date=17 October 2023 |title=Confirmed! Abrar Qazi and Rachi Sharma will play the new lead couple Kumkum Bhagya post the 20-year leap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/confirmed-abrar-qazi-and-rachi-sharma-will-play-the-new-lead-couple-kumkum-bhagya-post-the-20-year-leap/articleshow/104501408.cms |access-date=18 October 2023 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Simran Budharup was roped in to play grown-up version of Prachi and Ranbir's elder daughter Khushi Kohli Randhawa replacing Trisha Rohatgi who played childhood version of same. Later Budhraup quit the show owing to less screenspace and was replaced by [[Jyotsna Chandola]]. Later, Chaphekar and Kaul who portrayed leads of generation two , their role roles came to an indefinite end in June 2024 and in September 2024 media confirmed the news that both are no longer part of the show. In an Interview from 2025, Chaphekar and Kaul said that they weren't aware that their shoot in June 2024 would be their last for show and that they were informed much later that their characters will not be brought back to the show causing the second generation story to end without any conclusion.

In February 2025, the show again took a 20-year generation leap, with [[Pranali Rathod]] and Akshay Bindra as new generation leads. However later Bindra's character was sidelined as Supporting character and [[Namik Paul]] stepped in as new male lead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=2025-02-21 |title=Pranali Rathod and Akshay Bindra talks about joining Kumkum Bhagya post the leap : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/pranali-rathod-akshay-bindra-talks-joining-kumkum-bhagya-post-leap/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}}</ref> [[Abrar Qazi]] and Rachi Sharma and other supporting casts marked their exits due to the generation leap.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-07 |title=Abrar Qazi on his exit from Kumkum Bhagya: I was expecting the leap to happen after IPL, but it is happening now |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/abrar-qazi-on-his-exit-from-kumkum-bhagya-i-was-expecting-the-leap-to-happen-after-ipl-but-it-is-happening-now/articleshow/118012412.cms |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In March 2025, Rachi Sharma was again roped in to reprise her role of Poorvi Malhotra as a cameo to revive dipping TRPs. She was again roped in for a second appearance in April 2025. Soon after it was also confirmed that [[Shraddha Arya]] and [[Shakti Anand]] would also be joining ''Kumkum Bhagya'' reprising their characters Karan and Preeta from ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-20 |title=Shakti Anand to join Shraddha Arya in Kumkum Bhagya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/shakti-anand-to-join-shraddha-arya-in-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/120454524.cms |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-18 |title=Shraddha Arya To Make Comeback Post Maternity Break With Kumkum Bhagya As Preeta, Actress CONFIRMS {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tv/shraddha-arya-to-make-comeback-post-maternity-break-with-kumkum-bhagya-as-preeta-actress-confirms-exclusive-article-151445201 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> However soon after their roles also ended and the show eventually went off air in September 2025 owing to low TRPs over a year.

== Spin-off ==
=== Kundali Bhagya ===
{{Main|Kundali Bhagya}}

A spin-off series ''[[Kundali Bhagya]]'' premiered on 12 July 2017 and ran till 6 December 2024. The series narrated the story of Pragya's sisters, Preeta and Srishti and their attempt to find their mother Sarla and how they meet the rich and famous Luthra family. Later that show too took a generation leap and story shifted to Preeta's sons Rajveer and Shaurya.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2017 |title=Dheeraj Dhoopar starrer Kundali Bhagya becomes the biggest weekday launch since 2016 – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/dheeraj-dhoopar-starrer-kundali-bhagya-becomes-the-biggest-weekday-launch-since-2016/articleshow/59876265.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619092758/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/dheeraj-dhoopar-starrer-kundali-bhagya-becomes-the-biggest-weekday-launch-since-2016/articleshow/59876265.cms |archive-date=19 June 2018 |access-date=2019-01-31 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zee TV introduces Kundali Bhagya |url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-two-weekend-prime-time-slots/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728162201/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/zee-tv-to-launch-two-weekend-prime-time-slots/ |archive-date=28 July 2017 |access-date=6 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 June 2017 |title=Kundali Bhagya: Ekta Kapoor reveals the reason behind doing a spinoff of Kumkum Bhagya – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kundali-bhagya-ekta-kapoor-reveals-the-reason-behind-doing-a-spinoff-of-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/59364745.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019215453/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kundali-bhagya-ekta-kapoor-reveals-the-reason-behind-doing-a-spinoff-of-kumkum-bhagya/articleshow/59364745.cms |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=6 November 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

=== Bhagya Lakshmi ===

{{Main|Bhagya Lakshmi}}

A similar series ''[[Bhagya Lakshmi]]'' premiered on 3 August 2021 and ran till 29 June 2025. It traces the love story of Pragya's best friend, Lakshmi and Rishi. It stars [[Aishwarya Khare]] and [[Rohit Suchanti]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2021 |title=Zee TV to launch Ekta Kapoor Series 'Bhagya Lakshmi' soon |url=https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-tv-to-launch-new-ekta-kapoor-series-bhagya-lakshmi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617193834/https://www.bizasialive.com/zee-tv-to-launch-new-ekta-kapoor-series-bhagya-lakshmi/ |archive-date=17 June 2021 |website=Biz Asia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2021 |title=Aishwarya Khare and Rohit Suchanti to be a part of Zee TV's Bhagyalaxmi |url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/entertainment/aishwarya-khare-rohit-suchanti-to-be-a-part-of-zee-tv-s-bhagyalaxmi-1462328 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607103332/https://news.abplive.com/videos/entertainment/aishwarya-khare-rohit-suchanti-to-be-a-part-of-zee-tv-s-bhagyalaxmi-1462328 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |website=[[ABP Live]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
=== Critical reception ===
{{blockquote|text=Here's celebrating a show that has stood the test of time and crossed the boundaries of language, a big thank you to each and every one of you from all over the world for all the love you have given ''Kumkum Bhagya'', for always keeping it at the top, no matter where it aired, and what language. We, as a team, are truly grateful that you let us entertain you for half a decade.|sign=[[Shabir Ahluwalia]] on the series completing 5 Years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 April 2019 |title=Kumkum Bhagya completes 5 years; Shabir Ahluwalia and Sriti Jha get nostalgic – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kumkum-bhagya-completes-5-years-shabir-ahluwalia-and-sriti-jha-get-nostalgic/articleshow/68889280.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418095716/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/kumkum-bhagya-completes-5-years-shabir-ahluwalia-and-sriti-jha-get-nostalgic/articleshow/68889280.cms |archive-date=18 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>}}
The show climbed to Top 5 most-watched shows across all GECs, after only a few weeks of its launch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-15 |title=Kumkum Bhagya on an all- time high |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/kumkum-bhagya-on-an-all-time-high/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> It was touted as the biggest fiction launch of 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 December 2014 |title=Kumkum Bhagya – The Biggest Fiction Launch of 2014 – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-The-Biggest-Fiction-Launch-of-2014/articleshow/39626099.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423043415/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/trade-news/hindi/Kumkum-Bhagya-The-Biggest-Fiction-Launch-of-2014/articleshow/39626099.cms |archive-date=23 April 2019 |access-date=2019-04-12 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

Reruns of Kumkum Bhagya premiered on [[Zee Anmol]] from 2017 and received high ratings in the BARC rural chart when Zee Anmol was [[Free-to-air|FTA]]. It began running on the network again from episode 1 from 10 June 2020, due to the return to [[DD Free Dish]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

The show also managed to strike a chord with West Africans too.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-22 |title=Kumkum Bhagya's arranged marriage concept is winning hearts of West Africans too |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/kumkum-bhagya-sriti-jha-shabbir-ahluwalia-4486506/ |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Actor [[Kartik Aaryan]] also watched the show during the lockdown.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-04-01 |title=Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan tells Ekta Kapoor that he is watching Kumkum Bhagya during COVID-19 quarantine |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/bollywood-actor-kartik-aaryan-tells-ekta-kapoor-that-he-is-watching-kumkum-bhagya-during-covid-19-quarantine/articleshow/81842696.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Kartik Aaryan says he watched Kumkum Bhagya in quarantine when sick with Covid-19 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/kartik-aaryan-says-he-watched-kumkum-bhagya-in-quarantine-when-sick-with-covid19-101617288325612.html |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Recipient !! Result !! Ref(s)
|-
| rowspan="11" |2015
| [[Star Guild Awards]]
| Best Upcoming Drama Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Guild Awards Home |url=http://starguildawards.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815071146/http://www.starguildawards.org/ |archive-date=15 August 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=starguildawards.org}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="2" {{won}}
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2015.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025021945/https://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2015.html |archive-date=25 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Critics)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Onscreen Couple|Best Onscreen Couple]]
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="2" {{won}}
| rowspan="2" |
|-
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[BIG Star Entertainment Awards]]
| BIG Star Most Entertaining Fiction Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=14 December 2015 |title=Winners of the Big Star Entertainment Awards 2015 – Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/winners-of-the-big-star-entertainment-awards-2015/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153328/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/winners-of-the-big-star-entertainment-awards-2015/ |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[BIG Star Most Entertaining Television Actor - Female]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="2" {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" |{{cn|date=October 2025}}
|-
| [[BIG Star Most Entertaining Television Actor - Male]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="8" | 2016
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards|9th Boroplus Gold Awards]]
| Boroplus Face of the Year
| [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="3" {{won}}
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2016.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006062316/http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2016.html |archive-date=6 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" |
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Popular)
| [[Arjit Taneja]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
| Best Actor (Popular)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| {{won}}
|
|-
|[[Ghana Movie Awards]]
|Best Foreign TV Series
|[[Ekta Kapoor]]
|{{Won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2017
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 |url=http://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2017.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012609/https://boroplusgoldawards.weebly.com/2017.html |archive-date=7 November 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Boroplus Gold Awards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold Awards 2017: Complete winners list and red carpet pictures – Free Press Journal |url=http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/gold-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-and-red-carpet-pictures/1096849 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153005/http://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/gold-awards-2017-complete-winners-list-and-red-carpet-pictures/1096849 |archive-date=24 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=Free Press Journal}}</ref>
|-
| Best Onscreen Jodi
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="5" {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2017 |title=Zee Gold Awards 2017: Mouni Roy, Divyanka Tripathi, Karan Patel win big. Here's the winner list |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/zee-gold-awards-2017-mouni-roy-divyanka-tripathi-karan-patel-win-big-heres-the-winner-list-4736196/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020131231/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/zee-gold-awards-2017-mouni-roy-divyanka-tripathi-karan-patel-win-big-heres-the-winner-list-4736196/ |archive-date=20 October 2017 |access-date=24 October 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Popular)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Popular)
| [[Arjit Taneja]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="7" | 2018
| rowspan="6" | [[Gold Awards|11th Keshking Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Popular)
| [[Shikha Singh]]
| rowspan="6" {{won}}
| rowspan="6" |
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
|Gold Award for Fittest actor of Television
| [[Vin Rana]]
|-
|[[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best Television Show (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Gold Producer's Honour (For Completing 1000 Episodes) 
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| [[Indian Telly Awards|Telly Technical and Trade Awards]]
| Best Editor (Fiction)
| Vikas Sharma
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Technical Awards |url=http://www.tellytechnicalawards.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623200922/http://www.tellytechnicalawards.com/ |archive-date=23 June 2019 |access-date=23 June 2019 |website=Telly Technical Awards}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="15" |2019
| rowspan="7" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| Best Daily Series
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2019 |title=Indian Telly Awards 2019: Complete list of winners |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/indian-telly-awards-2019-winners-list-divyanka-tripathi-hina-khan-nakuul-mehta-5636869/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401071120/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/indian-telly-awards-2019-winners-list-divyanka-tripathi-hina-khan-nakuul-mehta-5636869/ |archive-date=1 April 2019 |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>
|-
| Best Jodi
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]] & [[Sriti Jha]]
| rowspan="6" {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Polling |url=http://www.indiantellyawards.com/polling/index.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628041108/http://www.indiantellyawards.com/polling/index.php |archive-date=28 June 2019 |access-date=23 June 2019 |website=Indian Telly Awards}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Male)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Female)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male)
| [[Mishal Raheja]]
|-
| Best Actor in Negative Role (Male)
| [[Shaad Randhawa]]
|-
| Best Actor in Negative Role (Female)
| [[Leena Jumani]]
|-
| rowspan="8" | [[Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role
| [[Mugdha Chaphekar]]
| {{won}}
|
|-
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role
| Krishna Kaul
| rowspan="7" {{nom}}
| rowspan="7" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Nominations for 12th Boroplus Gold Awards, 2019 |url=http://goldawards.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526000606/http://www.goldawards.in/ |archive-date=26 May 2015 |website=12th Gold Awards}}</ref>
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role|Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role|Best Actor in a Lead Role (Popular)]]
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| Best Onscreen Jodi
| [[Sriti Jha]] & [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| [[Gold Award for Best Television Show (Fiction)|Best TV Show of the Year (Fiction)]]
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|-
| Television Personality of the Year (Female)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Television Personality of the Year (Male)
| [[Shabbir Ahluwalia]]
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2022
| rowspan="3" | [[Indian Television Academy Awards]]
| Best Actor in Lead Role (Popular)
| [[Shabir Ahluwalia]]
| rowspan="3" {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Nominees: 21st ITA Awards, 2022 |url=https://www.theita2021.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110094223/http://www.theita2021.com/ |archive-date=10 November 2021 |access-date=21 January 2022}}</ref>
|-
| Best Actress in Lead Role (Popular)
| [[Sriti Jha]]
|-
| Best Television Show - Fiction (Popular)
| [[Ekta Kapoor]]
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q17068098|display=''Kumkum Bhagya''|n=no|b=no|v=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|s=no|q=Kumkum Bhagya|wikt=no|c=Kumkum Bhagya|}}
*[https://www.zee5.com/tvshows/details/kumkum-bhagya/0-6-127 Official website]
*{{IMDb title|tt3911870}}
{{Balaji Telefilms}}
{{Sense and Sensibility}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kumkum Bhagya| ]]
[[Category:2014 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:2025 Indian television series endings]]
[[Category:Balaji Telefilms television series]]
[[Category:Hindi-language television shows]]
[[Category:Indian drama television series]]
[[Category:Indian television soap operas]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Zee TV original programming]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Delhi]]
[[Category:Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]

Kedarnath

2026-03-24T09:56:53Z

172.71.198.183:

{{short description|Town in Uttarakhand, India}}
{{about|Kedarnath town|the temple|Kedarnath Temple|the mountain|Kedarnath (mountain)|the film|Kedarnath (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kedarnath
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Kedarkhand
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Kedarnath View1.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = A view of Kedarnath
| nickname =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand, India
| coordinates = {{coord|30.73|N|79.07|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = [[Kedarnath Temple]]
| government_type = [[Nagar Panchayat]]
| governing_body = Kedarnath Nagar Panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 2.75
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 3583
| population_total = 612
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |title=Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 50th report (July 2012 to June 2013) |publisher=Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |access-date=7 December 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2016 }}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[Sanskrit]]<ref name="sanskrit">{{cite news|last=Trivedi |first=Anupam |title=Sanskrit is second official language in Uttarakhand |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/sanskrit-is-second-official-language-in-uttarakhand/story-wxk51l8Re4vNxofrr7FAJK.html |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=19 January 2010 |access-date=30 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201065836/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NorthIndia/Sanskrit-is-second-official-language-in-Uttarakhand/Article1-499467.aspx |archive-date=1 February 2012 }}</ref><ref name="sanskrit2">{{cite news|title=Sanskrit second official language of Uttarakhand|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/Sanskrit-second-official-language-of-Uttarakhand/article15965492.ece |work=The Hindu |date=21 January 2010 |access-date=30 August 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303145846/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/Sanskrit-second-official-language-of-Uttarakhand/article15965492.ece|archive-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>
| demographics1_title3 = Regional
| demographics1_info3 = [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 246445
| registration_plate = UK-13
| website = {{URL|badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/}}
| footnotes =
| subdivision_name2 = [[Rudraprayag district|Rudraprayag]]
}}
'''Kedarnath''' is a town and [[Nagar Panchayat]] in [[Rudraprayag district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], [[India]], known primarily for the [[Kedarnath Temple]]. It is approximately 86 kilometres from [[Rudraprayag]], the district headquarter. Kedarnath is the most remote of the four [[Chota Char Dham]] pilgrimage sites. It is located in the [[Himalaya]]s, about {{convert|3583|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} 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 [[2013 North India floods|Flash Floods]] caused by torrential rains in Uttarakhand state.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/here-is-what-happened-in-kedarnath-and-rest-of-uttarakhand-in-2013-5482050/|title=Here is what happened in Kedarnath, and rest of Uttarakhand, in 2013|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref>

==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 [[moksha|liberation]]" grows here.<ref name="Diana_2013">{{cite book |author=Diana L. Eck |title=Banaras: City of Light |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2LgO6TJhFDwC&pg=PT185 |year=2013 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday |isbn=978-0-307-83295-5 |pages=185–186 }}</ref>

== History ==
Kedarnath has been a pilgrimage centre since ancient times.The temple's construction is credited to the [[Pandava]] brothers mentioned in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref>{{cite book |editor1=J. Gordon Melton |editor2=Martin Baumann |title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices |volume=1 (A-B) |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v2yiyLLOj88C&pg=PA1624 |year=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-204-3 |page=1624 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=James G. Lochtefeld |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch |url-access=registration |year=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/n395 363]–364 }}</ref> 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 [[Lord Shiva]] released the holy waters of [[Ganga]] from his matted hair, resulting in the formation of the Ganges River.<ref>{{cite book |author=Alex McKay |title=Kailas Histories: Renunciate Traditions and the Construction of Himalayan Sacred Geography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l3HsCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 |year=2015 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-30618-9 |page=135 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite book |author=N. V. Isaeva |title=Shankara and Indian Philosophy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J43SDe9ilOsC&pg=PA91 |year=1993 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-1282-4 |pages=90–91}}</ref> Kedarnath was definitely a prominent pilgrimage centre by the 12th century when it is mentioned in ''Kritya-kalpataru'' written by the [[Gahadavala]] minister Bhatta Lakshmidhara.<ref>{{cite book |author=Edward Quinn |title=Critical Companion to George Orwell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hZET2sSUVsgC&pg=PA232 |year=2014 |publisher=Infobase |isbn=978-1-4381-0873-5 |page=232 }}</ref>

==Location==
[[File:Majestic view of kedarnath.jpg|left|thumb|260x260px|Majestic 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 {{convert|3583|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} above sea level.<ref name=abram>{{cite book|last=Abram|first=David|title=The Rough guide to India|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|location=New York|isbn=9781843530893|pages=354–355|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&q=Kedarnath&pg=PA353|edition=2003}}</ref> The township is built on a barren stretch of land on the shores of Mandakini river. The surrounding scenery of the Himalayas and green pastures makes it a very attractive place for pilgrimage and trekking. Behind the town and the Kedarnath Temple, stands the majestic [[Kedarnath (Mountain)|Kedarnath peak]] at {{convert|6940|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}, the Kedar Dome at {{convert|6831|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} and other peaks of the range.<ref name=abram/><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kala | first1 = CP | year = 2014 | title = Deluge, disaster and development in Uttarakhand Himalayan region of India: challenges and lessons for disaster management | journal = International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction | volume = 8 | pages = 143–152 | doi=10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.03.002| bibcode = 2014IJDRR...8..143K }}</ref>

==Demographics==
As of the 2011 India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Census of India 2011: Kedarnath |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/800296-kedarnath-uttarakhand.html |access-date=28 February 2022 |publisher=Census Commission of India}}</ref> Kedarnath has a population of 830. Males constitute 99% of the population and females 1%.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/uttarakhand/rudraprayag/ukhimath/kedarnath-np-population.html|title=Kedarnath Population Census 2011 - 2022|website=Consensus 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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 upto 10 lacs (1 million) in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pilgrim-influx-to-kedarnath-dham-crosses-10-08-lakh-breaks-all-previous-records-101660735593471.html|title=Pilgrim influx to Kedarnath Dham crosses 10.08 lakh, breaks all previous records|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=17 August 2022}}</ref>

==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 [[Utsavar|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.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331471040|title=Brahma Kamal: A source of Livelihood in the Life of Locals of Kedarnath Shrine|website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>
According to the [[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]], Kedarnath's climate is [[subarctic climate|monsoon-influenced subarctic]] climate (''Dwc''), bordering a [[subarctic climate|uniform rainfall subarctic climate]] (''Dfc'') with mild, rainy summers and cold, snowy winters.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
| Jan high C = 1.0
| Feb high C = 2.4
| Mar high C = 6.0
| Apr high C = 10.8
| May high C = 14.8
| Jun high C = 17.1
| Jul high C = 16.5
| Aug high C = 15.9
| Sep high C = 14.3
| Oct high C = 10.6
| Nov high C = 6.9
| Dec high C = 3.7
| year high C =
| Jan mean C = -3.7
| Feb mean C = -2.3
| Mar mean C = 1.2
| Apr mean C = 5.6
| May mean C = 9.3
| Jun mean C = 11.9
| Jul mean C = 12.3
| Aug mean C = 12.0
| Sep mean C = 9.8
| Oct mean C = 5.3
| Nov mean C = 1.6
| Dec mean C = -1.4
| year mean C =
| Jan low C = -8.4
| Feb low C = -6.9
| Mar low C = -3.5
| Apr low C = 0.5
| May low C = 3.8
| Jun low C = 6.8
| Jul low C = 8.2
| Aug low C = 8.1
| Sep low C = 5.3
| Oct low C = 0.1
| Nov low C = -3.6
| Dec low C = -6.5
| year low C =
| Jan precipitation mm = 118.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 101.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 116.0
| Apr precipitation mm = 63.0
| May precipitation mm = 50.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 75.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 240.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 234.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 149.0
| Oct precipitation mm = 57.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 24.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 51.0
| year precipitation mm =
| source = <ref name="KEDARNATH CLIMATE SUMMARY">{{cite web |url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/uttarakhand/kedarnath-54697/ |title=KEDARNATH CLIMATE|publisher=CLIMATE-DATA.ORG |access-date=5 May 2020 }}</ref>
}}

===2013 flash floods===
{{Main|2013 North India floods}}
[[File:Temple in the aftermath of the flood.jpg|right|thumb|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. Water from the Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Tal down Mandakini River also washed away everything in its path at about 8:30 p.m. On 17 June 2013 at approximately 6:40 a.m., waters rushed down from Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Sarovar, bringing along with its flow, a huge amount of silt, rocks, and boulders. A huge boulder got stuck behind the Kedarnath Temple, protecting it from the ravages of the flood. The flood-water gushed on both sides of the temple, destroying everything in its path.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/what-happened-on-the-night-of-16th-june-inside-kedarnath-temple/|title=[First-person Account] 'How I Survived 16 June Fury At Kedarnath' - Manoj Rawat - Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|website=www.tehelka.com|access-date=16 July 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185641/http://www.tehelka.com/what-happened-on-the-night-of-16th-june-inside-kedarnath-temple/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/video/uttarakhand-floods-survivors-kedarnath-recount-082517606.html|title=Uttarakhand floods: Survivors of Kedarnath recount ordeal|work=Yahoo News|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref> Thus in the middle of the pilgrimage season, torrential rains, cloud bursts, and resulting flash floods nearly destroyed the town of Kedarnath. The town was the worst affected area by the floods.<ref name="economist.com">{{cite news |title=High and wet |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2013/06/29/high-and-wet |access-date=14 November 2020 |newspaper=The Economist |date=29 June 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Monsoon fury leaves Kedarnath shrine submerged in mud and slush|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/monsoon-fury-leaves-kedarnath-shrine-submerged-in-mud-and-slush/1130991/|work=The Indian Express|date=19 June 2013|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Subhash |title=Thousands missing near Kedarnath shrine |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2013/jun/19/Thousands-missing-near-Kedarnath-shrine-488172.html |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=19 June 2013}}</ref>

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. Dare-devil helicopter pilots, mostly ex-Indian Air Force and Ex-Army Aviation officers, flew relentlessly. Capt. Unni Krishnan from Prabhatam Aviation & Capt. Bhatnagar from Premair were few such outstanding pilots who landed at the Sh. Kedarnath Ji right-ridge at dusk hours - 1910hrs (almost 35 minutes after 'sunset') to pick-up the 'last' batch of survivors for the day. The NDRF represented by a commandant, and another junior officer arrived at the 'right-ridge' of the town bordering the Mandakini River, unprepared with a malfunctioning satellite phone. However, the next day, they brought in more men and supplies. The first Indian Army officer to arrive at the Sh. Kedarnath Ji 'right-ridge' was a Captain from the Assam Rifles Regiment. He single-handedly displayed exemplary courage in rescuing many survivors by climbing up steep slopes and fractures along the Rambara ridge-line. The Indian Army later launched a massive rescue effort with thousands of its brave-heart men and vital equipment. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the reserve battalions of the Uttarakhand Police displayed outstanding courage in the rescue mission. 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 (Mi 17) also crashed during this exercise, 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.<ref name="economist.com" /> It was reported that previously uncollected bodies were still being found one year after the tragedy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhatt |first1=Bindiya |title=Exclusive: Dead bodies of pilgrims found in Kedarnath, one year after Uttarakhand tragedy |url=https://english.newsnationtv.com/article/46666-exclusive-dead-bodies-pilgrims-found-kedarnath-year-uttarakhand-tragedy.html |access-date=23 February 2021 |work=News Nation English |date=12 June 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 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.

==Places of interest==
Other than the Kedarnath Temple, on the eastern side of the town is Bhairavnath Temple,<ref name=abram/> and the deity of this temple, [[Bhairava|Bhairavnath]], is believed to protect the town during the winter months.
About 6 km upstream from the town, lies Chorabari Tal, a lake cum glacier also called Gandhi Sarovar.<ref name=abram/> Near Kedarnath, there is a cliff called Bhairav Jhamp.<ref name=abram/> Other places of interest include the [[Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary]], Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, and Rudra meditation cave. Vasuki Tal is a high glacial charming lake with iconic environs & majestic view of Chaukhamba peaks. This place has religious importance also, it is believed that Lord Vishnu took bath at this lake.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Kedarnath Yatra |url=https://www.bizarexpedition.com/kedarnath-tour |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=BizareXpedition.com}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
Kedarnath in 1860.jpg|Kedarnath in the 1860s, with the temple being the prominent structure.
BhairavnathJi.jpg|Lord ''Bhairavnath Ji'' considered as the Protector God of the area
Lord-Kedarnath-Darshan-2014.jpg|The Kedarnath Temple in 2014, one year after the floods.
Kedarnath 009.jpg|The Mandakini River on the bank of the town
</gallery>

==See also==
[[File:Ukhimath Temple, near Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where the Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar idols are kept during the winter months.]]
* [[Kedarnath (mountain)]]
* [[Badrinath]]
* [[2013 North India floods]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
*''Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend'' ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna Dhallapiccola

==External links==
* [https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/ Official website]
*
*

{{Jyotirlinga temples}}
{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Rudraprayag district}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Shaivism]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Rudraprayag district]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Chota Char Dham temples]]
[[Category:Panch Kedar]]