Shri Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath
Ukhimath, Rudraprayag district (about 41 km from Rudraprayag) · Lord Shiva as Omkareshwar (worshipped all year); in winter, the utsav (festival) images of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar
The winter home of Baba Kedar and Madhyamaheshwar – where the Kedarnath doli rests for six months and the yatra dates are announced.
The Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath, at about 1,311 m on a ridge facing the Kedar range across the Mandakini valley, is the winter seat (gaddi sthal) of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar. When their doors close in October–November, their utsav images are carried here in doli processions and worshipped for about six months; Lord Omkareshwar himself is worshipped here all year. Kedarnath's opening date for the next season is announced here on Maha Shivaratri, and the closing dates of Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar and Tungnath are announced here on Vijayadashami. Because it is on the road, it lets pilgrims have darshan of Baba Kedar in winter without any trek.
Timings
- Temple hours: approx. 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM; confirm locally (no published BKTC timings found)
- Kedarnath winter worship: From Kedarnath's closing (Bhai Dooj, Oct/Nov) until the doli leaves for Kedarnath in spring
- Madhyamaheshwar winter worship: From the doli's arrival in November until it leaves in May
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Winter pujas for Kedarnath – Check with BKTC (rates not published for Ukhimath) (Winter months (Nov – Apr))
- Arrival and departure of the Kedarnath doli – Free (Arrival a few days after Bhai Dooj (Oct/Nov); departure in spring before the Kedarnath…)
- Maha Shivaratri and announcement of the Kedarnath opening – Free (Feb/Mar)
- Vijayadashami closing-date announcement – Free (Sep/Oct)
How to book darshan
No booking is needed for darshan. For pujas, ask at the BKTC office at the temple or check BKTC's online puja page.
Dress code
Modest clothing; warm layers in winter.
Best time to visit
November to April for winter darshan of Kedarnath; Maha Shivaratri for the opening announcement; November for the Madhyamaheshwar Mela. The road is open all year, though snow and monsoon landslides can disrupt it.
How to reach
- air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun – about 200–220 km.
- rail: Rishikesh – about 180 km.
- road: Rishikesh – Rudraprayag – Kund – Ukhimath; about 41 km from Rudraprayag (BKTC). Buses and shared jeeps run from Rudraprayag and Guptkashi.
Festivals
- Kedarnath doli arrival – Oct/Nov
- Madhyamaheshwar Mela – November
- Maha Shivaratri – Feb/Mar
- Vijayadashami – Sep/Oct