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{{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]]

Kedarnath - Revision history

172.71.198.183 at 09:56, 24 March 2026