COVID India unlock: Kedarnath helicopter service back in business

Kedarnath is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in the country, and has now resumed its helicopter services after a long gap due to COVID-19 pandemic. The helicopter service for Kedarnath started on Friday, with a total of 890 people making use of the service on the very first day. The helicopter service is once again in demand; according to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), as many as 2500 pilgrims have already made bookings for availing the services.
The helicopter service to the holy place is currently operated by seven aviation companies. Visitors can choose any of the seven available services to reach the site. According to Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the CEO of UCADA, “Those who come on helicopters do not stay in the temple area and hence, are exempted from the daily limit. We expect a maximum of 400 people to avail the helicopter service for Char Dham every day.”
You can take a chopper ride two way between Guptkashi to Kedarnath for INR 7750 INR; between Phata for INR 4680, and between Govindghat for INR 5950. This is the only way to book, as booking for one-way rides is not available.

The Kedarnath Temple, located high in the Garhwal Himalayan range, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is open from April to November each year. Being high up in the Himalayas, the location goes through extreme weather conditions during the winter months. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingas, and is one of the most important shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.