The Missing Head of Kedarnath Lies in Nepal: Discover Doleshwar Mahadev

If you are keen to get closure to Lord Shiva’s prime divine location, Kedarnath is the place. Situated in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, this sacred temple dedicated to Lord Shiva draws millions of pilgrims annually, all seeking his divine blessings. Kedarnath Yatra is a part of the Chardham Yatra that encompasses four major Hindu shrines in India- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

All these are close to the Himalayas. Although millions of Hindu pilgrims visit Kedarnath through Chardham Yatra tour package, very few are aware that the visit to Kedarnath remains incomplete without visiting the Doleshwar Mahadev temple in Nepal. It might sound strange, because both are located in two different neighbouring countries.

The Doleshwar Mahadev, Nepal, carries its significance, which we are going to talk about in this blog.

About Doleshwar Temple, Nepal

The Doleshwar Mahadev Temple in Suryabinayak, Nepal’s southernmost district of Bhaktapur, 20km from the capital city of Kathmandu, is a sacred location for Hindus and Nepalese. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is believed to enshrine the head portion of the Kedarnath Temple located in Uttarakhand.

The Link Between Kedarnath and Doleshwar Mahadev Temple in Nepal

Just like Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand has its significance to Hindu pilgrims, Doleshwar Mahadev Temple in Nepal carries the same significance. There is a spiritual connection between the two.

According to the Hindu mythological legend, following the Kurukshetra war of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to repent for the sins of battle. Shiva, however, wanted to avoid them as they were responsible for killing many. So he took the form of a bull and retreated to the Himalayas. 

When the Pandavas eventually reached him in Kedarnath, he vanished into the earth, leaving only his hump visible. The remaining parts of his body are believed to have manifested at various locations—his head is said to have emerged at Doleshwar Mahadev in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

This mythological connection between Kedarnath and Doleshwar Mahadev highlights the spiritual depth of visiting both sites. Often referred to as the “missing head” of Lord Kedarnath, the Doleshwar Mahadev temple (डोलेश्वर महादेव नेपाल) holds profound religious importance, making the journey to Kedarnath more complete when paired with a visit to this sacred site in Nepal.

Over the years, Doleshwar Mahadev temple in Nepal has drawn many pilgrims who visit Kedarnath. If you are booking the Chardham Yatra tour package online or offline, ensure you visit the Doleshwar Mahadev Temple for a visit. There are different modes of transport to visit Kedarnath from Doleshwar Temple in Nepal. 

Why is Kedarnath Yatra Incomplete Without Doleshwar Mahadev Temple?

Since you are now aware of the spiritual story behind both temples. Let us learn that visiting Doleshwar Mahadev Temple in Nepal is important while visiting the Kedarnath Temple.

1. Spiritual Completion

Since the body of Lord Shiva is at Kedarnath and the head is in Doleshwar, it is important to worship at both temples. Many believe that offering prayers only at the body (Kedarnath) without visiting the head (Doleshwar) makes the pilgrimage incomplete.

2. Recognized by Kedarnath Temple Authorities

The spiritual importance of Doleshwar Mahadev is not just a legend—it has been officially acknowledged by the authorities of the Kedarnath Temple. With this recognition, devotees are elevated to visit both temples in two different countries. This recognition has enhanced Doleshwar’s reputation as a must-see destination for spiritual connectivity.

3. Two Contrasting Temples

Since Kedarnath has cold weather, where the temperature drops below 10 degrees and has intense hiking, Doleshwar Mahadev has a sharply contrasting weather. It has a pleasant climate and doesn’t have a rigorous trek.

Kedarnath to Doleswar Journey

Since the Doleshwar Mahadev temple is located in Nepal, the journey from this country to Kedarnath in India can be done by road and air. The approximate distance between Nepal and Kedarnath is 554 km by road. If you are on a long Chardham Yatra journey, then taking a road from Nepal to Kedarnath is quite an ideal choice. Below is the suggested route from Doleshwar in Nepal to Kedarnath Temple in India-

1. Doleshwar Mahadev Temple to Kathmandu

The Doleshwar Mahadev Temple is 20 kilometers from Kathmandu. You can easily reach the capital city of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand via taxi or local bus services.

2. Kathmandu to the India-Nepal Border

To enter India, you’ll need to travel from Kathmandu to one of the common border crossings such as Sunauli-Bhairahawa or Raxaul-Birganj. The distance between the two is 271(km). These routes are well connected by buses and private transport options.

3. Nepal Border to Rishikesh

Once you reach the Nepal border, you can take a bus ride if travelling by road to reach Rishikesh. The distance from Nepal border to Rishikesh is 692 (km). However, if the road journey looks long and tiresome, you can take  a flight from Katmandu airport to Delhi, and then to Rishikesh by road. 

Delhi to Rishikesh by road is 259km (4- 5hrs). You can book a car rental service in Delhi to Rishikesh and enjoy the journey. 

4. Rishikesh to Gaurikund

From Rishikesh, you’ll head towards Gaurikund, the starting point for the Kedarnath trek. The distance between Rishikesh to Gaurikund is around 211 km and takes 7-8 hours. You can rent a car in Rishikesh, then head to Gaurikund. safely.

Not enough data!

5.Gaurikund to Kedarnath (Trek)

Gaurikund marks the end of the motorable road. From here, the 16-kilometre journey will be an uphill trek to the Kedarnath temple. For those who prefer alternatives to trekking, pony rides, palanquins (palkis), and helicopter services are also available.

Reasons Why Devotees Prefer Extended Kedarnath Yatra

In recent years, more and more pilgrims are taking up an extended journey from Doleshwar Mahadev in Nepal to Kedarnath. There’s a growing desire to experience the complete narrative of Lord Shiva by connecting both these sacred sites.

Recognizing this shift, travel planners or tour operators in India are now promoting this combined pilgrimage. As a result, many Chardham Yatra tour packages are starting to offer optional extensions to Doleshwar Mahadev to cater to this rising interest. If you are looking for a seamless spiritual journey to Doleshwar Mahadev Temple or Kedarnath Temple, you can consider connecting with a reliable tour operator from SafarCabby.

At SafarCabby, you can book a car rental service for Chardham journey from the respective tour operator and make your spiritual journey to Kedarnath comfortable.