{"id":4310,"date":"2026-03-10T10:27:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T10:27:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.udanaviation.in\/blog\/?p=4310"},"modified":"2026-03-10T10:27:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T10:27:59","slug":"kedarnath-darshan-timing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.udanaviation.in\/blog\/kedarnath-darshan-timing\/","title":{"rendered":"Kedarnath Darshan Timing 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kedarnath Temple<\/a> opens its Kapat on 22 April 2026 at 8:00 AM. And if you are planning to be there this season \u2014 or any season \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\"Kedarnath<\/p>\n

Kedarnath Darshan Timing 2026 \u2014 Full Schedule<\/h2>\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Session<\/strong><\/td>\nTimings<\/strong><\/td>\nWhat Happens<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maha Abhishek (Priests only)<\/td>\n4:00 AM \u2013 6:00 AM<\/td>\nFirst puja of the day; sanctum not open to public<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Morning Darshan (General + VIP)<\/td>\n6:00 AM \u2013 3:00 PM<\/td>\nPublic darshan open; ghee abhishek allowed; direct shivling touch permitted before 3 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Afternoon Break<\/td>\n3:00 PM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/td>\nTemple closed for pilgrims; internal rituals by priests<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Evening Darshan<\/td>\n5:00 PM \u2013 9:00 PM<\/td>\nPublic darshan resumes; Geet Govind Path (6 PM \u2013 8:30 PM)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shayan Aarti<\/td>\n~8:30 PM<\/td>\nLast aarti of the day; temple closes after this<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

One practical tip from ground experience \u2014 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\u2013June), queues can stretch to 2\u20133 hours. If your only aim is to touch the shivling and do ghee abhishek, do not arrive after 1:30 PM \u2014 it closes for that purpose at 3:00 PM sharp.<\/p>\n

Is There an Entry Fee for Kedarnath Darshan?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What costs money \u2014 and what most pilgrims confuse with ‘entry fee’ \u2014 is VIP darshan and special puja bookings. Those are optional paid services, not a gate fee. The temple doors are open to all.<\/p>\n

Kedarnath VIP Darshan 2026 \u2014 What It Actually Means<\/h2>\n

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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The three main paid darshan options, officially available through BKTC, are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Puja \/ Darshan Type<\/strong><\/td>\nDuration<\/strong><\/td>\nPersons Covered<\/strong><\/td>\nApprox. Cost (2026)<\/strong><\/td>\nAccess Level<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shodashopachar Puja<\/td>\n10\u201315 minutes<\/td>\nUp to 5 persons (same gotra)<\/td>\n\u20b95,500 (group rate)<\/td>\nInside Garbhagriha; can touch shivling directly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sampoorna Aarti<\/td>\n~1 hour<\/td>\n1 person<\/td>\n\u20b92,800 per person<\/td>\nInner sanctum area; full aarti ritual<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Whole Day Puja<\/td>\nFull day<\/td>\nUp to 5 persons<\/td>\n\u20b928,600 (group of 1\u20135); extra persons \u20b95,720 each<\/td>\nTemple compound; most elaborate VIP option<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Who Should Consider VIP Darshan?<\/h3>\n