Kedartal, Glacial lake in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, India

Kedartal is a glacial lake at 4,750 metres in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas, fed by snowmelt from Thalay Sagar (6,904 m), Meru (6,672 m) and Bhrigupanth (6,772 m). Its outflow forms the Kedar Ganga, which Hindu mythology regards as Shiva's contribution to the Bhagirathi. The lake lies 17 km from Gangotri.

Kedartal is named in Hindu mythology as the source of the Kedar Ganga, the stream said to be Shiva's own contribution to the Bhagirathi, a source-stream of the Ganges. The lake lies below Thalay Sagar, Meru and Bhrigupanth, whose snowfields feed it.

Kedartal is also called Shiva's lake. In Hindu mythology the Kedar Ganga that flows from it is considered Shiva's contribution to the Bhagirathi, a source-stream of the Ganges. The lake lies below Thalay Sagar, Meru and Bhrigupanth, and pilgrims and trekkers treat its water as sacred.

The trek from Gangotri covers 17 km in three stages: a steep rocky climb through the narrow Kedar Ganga gorge to Bhojkharak (8 km), then 4 km to the camping site at Kedarkharak, then 5 km to the lake. Falling rocks, steep sections and the 4,750 m altitude make the route hazardous in places.

Kedartal is also called Shiva's lake: Hindu mythology holds that the Kedar Ganga flowing from it is Shiva's own contribution to the Bhagirathi, a source-stream of the Ganges. The lake is fed by snowmelt from Thalay Sagar, Meru and Bhrigupanth.