The Kedarnath Temple near the Mandakini River of Garhwal Himalayan Range in Uttarakhand is one of the most important pilgrimage for the Hindus. With a height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft), this temple is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is located 223 miles from Rishikesh.Due to sever weather, the temple is only accessible to general public from April (Akshaya Tritriya) to November (Kartik Purnima, the full moon in the autumn). The god is worshipped in Ukhimath for the following six months after the vigrahas (deities) from Kedarnth temple are transported there during the winter.

Since the temple is not easily accessible by road, the only way to get there is by a 16-kilometer, uphill walk from Gaurikund. There is a pony and porter service available to get you to the Temple. Since a few years ago, it has been possible to visit this temple by helicopter, making it simpler for anyone who cannot walk.

Before this helicopter service booking was managed by Uttarakhand Government body that time booking helicopter tickets was little complicated as it was unpredictable when booking starts but now in 2023 Kedarnath heli service booking is managed by IRCTC by which helicopter booking become worst.

As before at least when booking starts we come to know all flights booking option with total seats and available seats but IRCTC is opening booking 7 days prior to departure at 12 noon and at 12.00 noon we find only 2 to 8 seats only available, if we select and wait for OTP it shows No slot available so by 12.01 No slot available which is possible only if before 12.00 noon some can access and block all seats as it is impossible for any normal Yatries to comply all long process of IRCTC right from log in to complete payment.

It is important for our Government to check thoroughly of IRCTC management and backend team for same. It is noticed that IRCTC is instead of offering better service moto is changed to monopolize business policy in their Railway service. I have experienced that we have ordered some food to be delivered at Ratlam station by a local restaurant instead of ordering to IRCTC staff taking order for dinner. This people have arranged goons at Ratlam and fought with local restaurant delivery man.

If IRCTC is not getting enough profit from the Govt. allowed service charge they can ask to Government to increase service charge instead of doing unethical practice.

Jaysinh Thakker