Ukhimath - Kedarnath Winter Seat

Ukhimath is a small town and an important pilgrimage site in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of above 4,300 feet, Ukhimath is prominently known as the winter home of Lord Kedarnath and is an important part of the Winter Char Dham Yatra circuit. Devotees from far and wide visit here to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.
 

Along with Lord Kedarnath, the temple also serves as the winter seat of Madmaheshwar, the second Panch Kedar shrine. The beauty and charm of the town captivate visitors, especially the snow-capped view of the Chaukhamba peak. Ukhimath shares the Winter Char Dham yatra circuit with Kharsali, Mukhba and Pandukeshwar.

Ukhimath- Kedarnath Winter Seat

Situated nearly 181 km from Rishikesh, Ukhimath is mainly known as the winter seat of Kedarnath, one of the most revered shrines of Uttarakhand Char Dham. The palanquin of Lord Kedarnath rests here for six months in winter at Omkareshwar Temple and is worshipped in the form of Omkareshwar.
 

The site is also associated with the marriage of Usha and Aniruddha, where Usha was the daughter of the demon king Banasura and on the other hand, Aniruddha was the grandson of Lord Krishna. Earlier, Ukhimath was known as Ushamath, named after Banasura's daughter Usha. The town also houses temples dedicated to Usha, Goddess Parvati, and several other deities.

Ukhimath - Gateway to Prominent Sites

Ukhimath serves as the gateway to several prominent religious and trekking sites; due to this, many travellers often stay here and continue their journey.

• Kedarnath

Ukhimath lies on the route that leads to the Kedarnath Temple. During the Char Dham Yatra, many devotees visit here to seek the blessings at the Omkareshwar Temple. Gaurikund, the last motorable point of Kedarnath, is approximately 43 km away from Ukhimath.

• Tungnath

The path to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world, also goes through Ukhimath. From Ukhimath, the starting point for the Tungnath Mandir Trek is around 30 km away.

• Madmaheshwar Temple

The second Kedar of the Panch Kedar, Lord Madhmeshwar shrine route, also passes through Ukhimath. The starting point of the Lord Madmaheshwar Trek is around 30 km from Ukhimath.

• Kanchani Tal Trek

Ukhimath also serves as the gateway to the Kanchani Tal Trek, with the Ransi base camp about 30 km away. Besides this, Ukhimath also provides access to prominent treks, such as:

• Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek.
• Chopta Chandrashila Trek.
• Chopta Tungnath Trek.

Things to Do in Ukhimath

At Ukhimath, the foremost activity visitors can undertake is Pilgrimage. For this, they can visit many religious sites. However, visiting some of these shrines is not easy and requires trekking to reach.

Accommodation

Ukhimath and its nearby region offer a range of accommodation options, including hotels, homestays and lodges. You can book them as per your preference and availability. Here is the list of some popular hotels which you can book during your stay at Ukhimath.

• GMVN (Gharwal Mandal Vikas Nigam)
• Hotel Golden Cherry
• Devashree Hotel Ukhimath
• Rudraksh Inn
• Hotel Himalayan Heights
• Hotel Himalayan View
• Dana Pani Homestay

Food Guide

Ukhimath offers a range of restaurants and dhabas, where visitors can have a variety of items. Among these, some eateries also serve authentic local Garhwali cuisine.

Important Tips for Visitors

• If travelling by bus, visit the bus stand early as the bus usually departs early in the morning.
• If direct bus service is not available, travel to Rudraprayag and take a shared taxi from there.
• Advance accommodation booking is recommended, especially in peak season.
• Carry adequate woollens, as the region gets extremely cold during winter.

Major Nearby Attractions

Ukhimath is surrounded by some places that you must explore during your visit. However, some of them are closed to visitors during the winter season. Here is the list of places that you can add to the Ukhimath itinerary: -

• Kedarnath Temple.
• Triyuginarayan.
• Kalishila.
• Kalimath.
• Baniyakund.
• Tungnath Temple.
• Chandrashila Trek.
• Chopta.
• Madmaheshwar Temple.