Kedarnath Temple located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This temple is not only a center of religious faith but also a focal point of spiritual energy where the soul experiences the union with God. Kedarnath Temple Puja is a precious part of the Indian Sanatan tradition. The worship method and rituals here are extremely sacred and specific, which are followed according to the scriptures. This article presents a detailed guide to the worship methods, aarti timings, special pujas, festivals and rules of Kedarnath Temple.
Daily Puja Vidhi of Kedarnath Temple
Temple opening and closing time
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Morning Temple opens: 4:00 AM
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Evening Closes: 7:00 PM
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Afternoon break: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Morning Puja sequence
Puja Vidhi | Time |
Mahabhishek | 4:00 - 4:30 AM |
Bhasm Aarti | 4:30 - 5:00 AM |
Camphor Aarti | 6:00 - 6:10 AM |
Chandi Aarti | 6:15 - 6:30 AM |
Swarna Aarti | 6:30 - 6:45 AM |
Bhog Aarti | 11:30 - 12:00 PM |
Midday Aarti | 12:00 - 12:30 PM |
Evening Puja sequence
Puja Vidhi | Time |
Temple reopens in the evening | 5:00 PM |
Sandhya Aarti | 6:00 - 6:30 PM |
Shayan Aarti | 6:30 - 7:00 PM |
Special Pujas at Kedarnath Temple
The special categories of Kedarnath Temple Puja not only fulfill the devotion of the devotees but also fill them with spiritual and transcendental energy.
1️⃣ Mahabhishek Puja – ₹8,500
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Abhishek of Shivling with Panchamrit, Gangajal, Chandan, Camphor
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Invocation of Lord Shiva with chanting of mantras
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Starts at 4 am
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Only possible on prior booking
2️⃣ Rudrabhishek Puja – ₹6,500
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Recitation of Rudrasukta
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Abhishek with water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, Gangajal
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Sankalp, Nyasa, Awahan, Abhishek, Aarti and distribution of Prasad
3️⃣ Laghu Rudrabhishek Puja – ₹5,500
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For devotees short of time
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Short form of Rudrabhishek
4️⃣ Shodashopachar Puja – ₹5,000
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Worship method of Lord Shiva with 16 remedies:
Asan, bath, clothes, flowers, incense, lamp, Naivedya, Aarti etc.
5️⃣ Ashtopachar Puja – ₹850
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Pooja with 8 remedies:
Scent, flower, lamp, offering, incense, bath, clothes, invocation
6️⃣ Panchopachar Puja – ₹850
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Brief puja from 5 major remedies:
sandalwood, flowers, incense, lamp, naivedya
Evening special readings and hymns
Name of lesson | Fee (₹) |
Shiva Ashtottari Path | ₹900 |
Shiv Sahastranam | ₹1,800 |
Shiva Namavali | ₹1,800 |
Shiv Mahimna Stotra | ₹1,800 |
Shiv Tandav Stotram | ₹1,700 |
Shiv Parakshamastotram | ₹1,800 |
Major festivals and events in Kedarnath Temple Rituals
1️⃣ Vinayak Chaturthi
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Organization of special worship of Lord Ganesha
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Combination of worship of father Shiva along with Shiva-son
2️⃣ Samadhi Puja
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The last worship before the temple is closed
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The Lord is put to sleep
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This worship is done at Shankaracharya Samadhi
3️⃣ Shravani Annakut Mela
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A day before Rakshabandhan, Lord Shiva is worshipped with local crops
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The Shivling is decorated with a paste of grains
4️⃣ Badri-Kedar Utsav
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A festival lasting for 8 days in the month of June
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Folk culture, folk dance and music of Uttarakhand are organized
5️⃣ Deepawali
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The Kedarnath Temple is decorated with thousands of lamps
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Shiva devotees offer lamps to the Lord and pray for salvation
Kedarnath Temple Puja Rules and Conditions
✅ Dress Code
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Men: Dhoti-kurta or pant-shirt
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Women: Saree or Salwar-kurta
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Inappropriate clothing (such as shorts, sleeveless) prohibited
✅ Puja Booking
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Pre-booking mandatory for all special pujas
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Booking can be done online or from the Panda Committee
✅ Photography Rules
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Photos and videos are prohibited in the temple premises
✅ Timings for touching Shivling
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Touching and Abhishek possible till 3 pm
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Only darshan possible after 5 pm
✅ Mobile Phone
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Use of mobile phone is prohibited during Puja or Aarti
✅ Time Observance
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Time observance is mandatory for all Aartis and Pujas
How to perform Kedarnath Puja? (Step by Step Guide)
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Plan your trip: The temple is open from May to November
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Register online: From the Uttarakhand Tourism Department website or app
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Book in advance for special pujas
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Contact the temple administration or Panda Samaj upon reaching the place
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Be present at the temple at the scheduled time of worship
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Take advantage of Aarti, worship and darshan
Important tips for pilgrims
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There may be a lack of oxygen due to altitude, so keep necessary medicines with you
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Carry warm clothes, raincoat, water bottle, torch
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Get a health checkup done before the trip
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Maintain peace in the temple, follow religious decorum
Conclusion: Why is Kedarnath Temple Puja important?
Kedarnath Temple Puja is not just a religious act, but the most sacred medium of spiritual purification and connecting with God. The worship methods here not only give an opportunity to follow religious traditions, but also provide stability to the mind, purpose to life and the power to connect the soul with God.
If you are in search of true spirituality in life, then you must worship at Kedarnath Dham once. This experience will give you inspiration and energy for life.