Quick answer: The Panch Kedar are five Shiva temples in Garhwal: Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar, traditionally visited in that order. Four need treks: about 16 km to Kedarnath, about 16 km to Madhyamaheshwar, 3.5 km to Tungnath and about 20 km to Rudranath; Kalpeshwar is a short walk. The full yatra takes about 12 to 14 days from Haridwar and suits fit yatris between May and October.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
The Panch Kedar Yatra is the deepest Shiva yatra in Uttarakhand, and the most physically demanding. It takes you beyond the busy Char Dham road into high meadows, forest trails and villages where puja has continued in the same families for generations. This guide explains the story, the order, each trek, the dates, and how hard it really is, so that you can decide whether to do all five or begin with one or two.
The story of the Panch Kedar
After the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s blessing to be freed of the sin of killing their own kin. Shiva, unwilling to meet them, took the form of a bull and hid among cattle near Guptkashi. When Bhima recognised him, the bull sank into the earth. According to tradition, parts of the divine form appeared at five places, which became the Panch Kedar:
| Order | Temple | Form worshipped | District | Altitude (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kedarnath | Hump (prishth) | Rudraprayag | 3,583 m |
| 2nd | Madhyamaheshwar | Navel and middle body | Rudraprayag | about 3,490 m |
| 3rd | Tungnath | Arms (bahu) | Rudraprayag | about 3,680 m |
| 4th | Rudranath | Face (mukh) | Chamoli | about 3,600 m |
| 5th | Kalpeshwar | Matted hair (jata) | Chamoli | about 2,200 m |
Published altitudes vary a little between sources; treat these as approximate. The head is believed to have appeared at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu.
Panch Kedar treks: distance and difficulty
| Temple | Trek starts at | One-way distance (approx.) | Difficulty | Typical time up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath | Gaurikund | 16 km | Moderate; long, paved, busy | 6 to 8 hours |
| Madhyamaheshwar | Ransi | 16 km (via Gaundar) | Moderate to demanding; usually split over two days | Two half-days, or 7 to 9 hours |
| Tungnath | Chopta | 3.5 km | Easy to moderate; steep but paved | 2 to 3 hours |
| Rudranath | Sagar village | About 20 km | Demanding; the hardest of the five | Usually two days |
| Kalpeshwar | Devgram, Urgam valley | A short walk | Easy | Under 30 minutes |
1. Kedarnath, the first Kedar
The best known of the five and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. From Sonprayag a shared jeep takes you 5 km to Gaurikund, and the paved path climbs about 16 km to the temple. Ponies, palkis and IRCTC helicopter shuttles are available for those who cannot walk. Our Kedarnath trek route guide breaks the walk into sections.
2. Madhyamaheshwar, the second Kedar
Madhyamaheshwar sits in a high meadow below the Chaukhamba peaks, reached from the road-head at Ransi beyond Ukhimath. The trail descends to the river and then climbs through Gaundar village and thick forest. Most yatris walk to Gaundar on the first day and reach the temple on the second, with simple village guesthouses on the way.
About 2 km above the temple, a short climb leads to Budha Madhyamaheshwar, a small shrine by a pond with views of Chaukhamba on a clear morning. Stay a night at the temple if you can; the evening is very peaceful.
3. Tungnath, the third Kedar
Tungnath, at about 3,680 metres, is counted among the highest Shiva temples in the world. It is also the easiest Panch Kedar trek: 3.5 km on a paved path from Chopta, which is on the Ukhimath–Gopeshwar road. The climb is steady and steep in places, but most healthy adults manage it in two to three hours. Fit yatris continue about 1.5 km to the Chandrashila summit. Read our Tungnath and Chandrashila guide for the full route.
4. Rudranath, the fourth Kedar
Rudranath is where the face of Shiva is worshipped as Neelkanth Mahadev, in a natural rock cave above vast alpine meadows. It is the hardest of the five. The most used route starts at Sagar village near Gopeshwar and climbs about 20 km through Lyuti Bugyal and Panar Bugyal; most yatris spend a night at Panar or nearby before reaching the temple. Other routes come from Mandal via Anusuya Devi, and from the Urgam valley via Kalpeshwar; both are longer and need a guide.
Water and shelter are scarce on the upper trail, and the route crosses open ridges where weather changes quickly. A local guide and camping support are strongly advised. Rudranath is in the Kedarnath Wildlife Division, and trekkers must register with the forest department; in 2026 a per-person fee was reported, and registration was done online and checked at the Sagar forest post. Check the current rules before you go.
5. Kalpeshwar, the fifth Kedar
Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar open all year. The jata of Shiva is worshipped in a small cave temple in the Urgam valley, reached from Helang on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway. A road now runs most of the way to Devgram, from where the temple is a short walk across a stream. It is often combined with Dhyan Badri, one of the Panch Badri, in the same valley.
When are the Panch Kedar temples open?
Four of the five close for winter, and each has its own opening and closing dates, fixed from the panchang each year. The 2026 season gives a good idea of the pattern:
| Temple | 2026 opening | 2026 closing | Winter seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kedarnath | 22 April | 11 November (Bhai Dooj) | Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath |
| Tungnath | 22 April (reported) | Early November (reported) | Markandeya temple, Makkumath |
| Madhyamaheshwar | 21 May (reported) | Second half of November (reported) | Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath |
| Rudranath | 18 May (reported) | Mid-October (reported) | Gopinath temple, Gopeshwar |
| Kalpeshwar | Open all year | Open all year | – |
Because Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar open later and Rudranath closes earlier, the practical window to visit all five is roughly late May to early October. 2027 dates are not yet announced; they are usually declared in spring.
Best time for the Panch Kedar Yatra
- Late May and June: all five open, long days, wildflowers starting in the meadows. Snow may linger near Rudranath early in the season.
- July and August: monsoon. Trails are slippery, streams swell, and roads to Ransi, Sagar and Urgam can be cut. Not recommended.
- September to early October: clear views of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Trishul, green meadows after the rain, fewer people. The best window if Rudranath is still open.
How many days does the Panch Kedar Yatra take?
From Haridwar, a full Panch Kedar Yatra normally takes 12 to 14 days: about three days for Kedarnath, three for Madhyamaheshwar, one for Tungnath, three for Rudranath, and one for Kalpeshwar, plus the drive in and out. Trying to compress it means doing two long treks back to back at altitude, which is not wise.
If you cannot spare two weeks, the five can be done in parts over different seasons. Common combinations are Kedarnath with Tungnath (about five days), Madhyamaheshwar alone (about four days), Rudranath alone (about five days), and Kalpeshwar with Badrinath or the Panch Badri.
How hard is the Panch Kedar Yatra?
Honestly, it is a trekking yatra. Over the full circuit you walk roughly 100 km or more, much of it uphill, with three nights or more above 3,000 metres. You should be able to walk 10 to 15 km a day on hill paths with a light bag, several days in a row.
- Who it suits: fit adults, regular walkers, and seniors who are active trekkers with medical clearance.
- Who should do it in parts: first-time Himalayan yatris, and anyone with heart, lung or knee problems. Kedarnath (by palki or helicopter if needed), Tungnath and Kalpeshwar are the most accessible.
- Stays: hotels on road days, but village guesthouses, basic lodges and tents on trek days, especially at Gaundar, Madhyamaheshwar, Panar and Rudranath.
- Network: absent for most of the Madhyamaheshwar and Rudranath treks. Tell your family in advance.
How to prepare
- Start walking practice six to eight weeks before: daily walks building to 10 km, and stair climbs with a 5 kg bag.
- Get a medical check-up, especially if you are over 50 or have any chronic condition.
- Break in good trekking shoes; carry walking poles, a warm jacket, rain gear and a headlamp.
- Complete the free Uttarakhand yatra registration for Kedarnath, and the forest registration for Rudranath.
- Keep one or two buffer days for weather.
What we arrange
Our Panch Kedar Yatra from Haridwar runs 13 days in the traditional order, with a trek guide for Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath and Rudranath, camps and support where no lodge exists, and help with registration and the Rudranath forest permit; price is on request for your dates and group. If you prefer to go in parts, we also run the Kedarnath Tungnath Yatra (5 days), the Madhmaheswer Yatra (4 days), the Rudranath Yatra (5 days) and the Kalpeshwar Yatra (3 days). Hindi readers can see our पंच केदार यात्रा page. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order of the Panch Kedar?
The traditional order is Kedarnath (first), Madhyamaheshwar (second), Tungnath (third), Rudranath (fourth) and Kalpeshwar (fifth). Many yatris follow this order on the ground too, because it fits the roads from the Mandakini valley to the Alaknanda valley.
Which Panch Kedar trek is the hardest?
Rudranath. The main route from Sagar village is about 20 km one way with a long, steep climb through Lyuti and Panar meadows, scarce water on the upper trail and exposed ridges. Most yatris take two days to reach the temple and need a guide and camping support.
Which Panch Kedar is the easiest?
Kalpeshwar is the easiest, a short walk from Devgram in the Urgam valley, and it is open all year. Tungnath is the easiest of the trekking temples: 3.5 km on a paved path from Chopta, which most healthy adults climb in two to three hours.
How many days are needed for the Panch Kedar Yatra?
About 12 to 14 days from Haridwar for all five, including one or two buffer days. If you have less time, do the five in parts across seasons, such as Kedarnath with Tungnath one year and Madhyamaheshwar and Rudranath another.
Can senior citizens do the Panch Kedar Yatra?
Active seniors who trek regularly and have medical clearance do complete it. For most elderly yatris, we suggest Kedarnath by palki or helicopter, Tungnath at a slow pace, and Kalpeshwar, and leaving Madhyamaheshwar and Rudranath unless they are confident walkers.
When is the best time for the Panch Kedar Yatra?
Late May to June, and September to early October. Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar open later than the others, in May, and Rudranath closes earliest, around mid-October, so this is the window when all five are open. Avoid July and August because of monsoon landslides.
Is a permit needed for Rudranath?
Yes. Rudranath lies in the Kedarnath Wildlife Division, and trekkers must register with the forest department; in 2026 registration was done online and checked at the Sagar forest post, and a per-person fee was reported. Rules can change, so confirm before you go.