Kedarnath Darshan Timing 2026

Kedarnath Temple opens its Kapat on 22 April 2026 at 8:00 AM. And if you are planning to be there this season — or any season — one thing that genuinely makes or breaks the experience is understanding how Darshan actually works: what time the temple is open, whether you need a ticket, what VIP Darshan really means, and which pujas are worth booking in advance. This guide covers all of it, without fluff.

Kedarnath Darshan Timing 2026 — Full Schedule

The temple runs on three broad windows every day during the Yatra season. Here is the complete daily schedule as per BKTC (Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee) guidelines:

One practical tip from ground experience — the 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM window on weekdays is your best bet for a calm darshan. After 10 AM in peak season (May–June), queues can stretch to 2–3 hours. If your only aim is to touch the shivling and do ghee abhishek, do not arrive after 1:30 PM — it closes for that purpose at 3:00 PM sharp.

Is There an Entry Fee for Kedarnath Darshan?

No. General Darshan at Kedarnath Temple is completely free of charge. There is no ticket, no entry fee, no queue token cost. You walk up, join the line, and enter when your turn comes. This has always been the policy and remains unchanged for 2026.

What costs money — and what most pilgrims confuse with ‘entry fee’ — is VIP darshan and special puja bookings. Those are optional paid services, not a gate fee. The temple doors are open to all.

Kedarnath VIP Darshan 2026 — What It Actually Means

VIP darshan at Kedarnath is not a separately ticketed fast lane in the conventional sense. What it practically means is booking a special puja slot — which gives you priority access into the inner sanctum (Garbhagriha), often before general darshan begins or during a dedicated window. You skip the main queue, spend more time near the shivling, and have a pandit conducting the ritual with your name and gotra.

The three main paid darshan options, officially available through BKTC, are:

Prices are set by BKTC and may be revised at the start of each yatra season. Always check badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in for the current rate card before booking.

Who Should Consider VIP Darshan?

• Elderly pilgrims or those with physical limitations who cannot stand in long queues for hours
• Families or groups who want to perform a specific ritual (abhishek, aarti) as a collective
• Pilgrims visiting during May–June peak season, when general queue wait time can be 3–5 hours on busy days
• Anyone on a tight schedule who cannot afford a half-day wait

What most people don’t realise — if you are visiting in September or October, the crowd is thin enough that general darshan is peaceful and unhurried. In that case, VIP darshan is an expense that may not add much. Save it for peak season.

Maha Abhishek & Rudrabhishek — Early Morning Puja (4 AM–7 AM)

The most sought-after paid puja at Kedarnath is the Abhishek series — performed inside the Garbhagriha before general darshan opens. This is as close as a pilgrim can get to Lord Shiva at Kedarnath. The shivling is bathed with water, milk, honey, and bilva leaves while Vedic mantras are chanted by the chief priest.

For morning Abhishek pujas, BKTC guidelines require you to collect your puja slot timing at the puja counter one day prior. Arrive at the temple gate 15–30 minutes before your slot. Carry your puja booking receipt and a government-issued photo ID — both are checked at the counter.

How to Book VIP Darshan & Special Puja at Kedarnath — Step by Step

Online Booking (Recommended)

• Visit the official BKTC portal: badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in
• Click ‘Book Puja Online’ and select Kedarnath Dham
• Accept the Terms & Conditions
• Choose your puja type and add it to the cart
• Enter participant details (name, gotra, number of persons)
• Complete payment — UPI, net banking, and cards accepted
• Download and save the puja receipt — carry it to the temple

Offline Booking (At the Temple)

• Visit the puja counter located inside the Kedarnath temple complex
• Counters open early — aim to reach by 5:00–5:30 AM for morning puja slots
• Carry cash; card/UPI availability at offline counters can be unreliable
• Slots for popular morning pujas fill up fast — book the evening before if possible

Important Rules — Read Before You Book

• All puja bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable. Book only once your travel dates are confirmed.
• BKTC reserves the right to reschedule or cancel any puja due to weather, eclipse, or administrative reasons.
• Arrive at the temple gate 15–30 minutes before your booked slot — latecomers are not accommodated.
• Modest traditional attire is expected. Remove footwear before entering the complex.
• Book only through the official BKTC website. Fake VIP pass scams via WhatsApp and travel agents are reported every season — do not pay anyone offline except at the BKTC counter at the temple itself.
• VIP Darshan does not replace Yatra registration. Your pilgrimage registration at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in is still mandatory, separately.

Kedarnath Live Darshan Online — For Those Who Cannot Visit

Can’t make it to Kedarnath this year? BKTC offers live darshan streaming through their official YouTube channel and the badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in portal. Daily aartis, the Maha Abhishek, and special festival rituals are streamed live. You can also book a non-attending puja — where the chief priest performs the ritual with your name and gotra without you being physically present — and receive prasad by post.

Quick Reference — Kedarnath Darshan 2026 at a Glance

One final note — Kedarnath at 3,583 metres demands physical preparation, but the darshan itself is deeply personal. Whether you stand in the free general queue at sunrise or book an early morning Rudrabhishek in the inner sanctum, what matters most is arriving — and being present. The mountain does the rest.