The Kedarnath Temple is the Home of Lord Shiva
Hindu Temples | March 23, 2010The Kedarnath Temple, surrounded by the snowy ranges in the holy Garhwal Himalayas, is one of most sacred Hindu shrines committed to Lord Shiva, the Perpetuator of Truth. It is of utmost importance due to its presence as one of the sites in the Chhota (Small) Char Dham (Four Sites) pilgrimage circuit. Located in the Uttar Kashi district in the Uttaranchal state of India near the Mandakini River, this temple is enshrined with one of the 12 Jyotilingas, the Lingas of Light, known to be the phallic form of Lord Shiva.
Built in the 8th century by JagatGuru, Shree Adi Shankaracharya, the Kedarnath temple is only open for worship from April to November due to harsh weather in the remaining time of winter in the year. After closure, the head priest (Rawal) who moves towards Ukhimath at 60 km to worship Kedareshwara, Lord of the Kedar Khand (current region).
Legend
Many legends are associated with the temple. According to the narrative Puranas, the older temple here was there since the era of Mahabharata during which the Pandavas must have delighted Shiva through their penance in Kedarnath.
According to other legend, the two manifestations of Lord Vishnu (the Perpetuator of Life) known as Nara and Narayana underwent ardent penance in front of an emerged lingam from Earth in Badrinath. Pleased with this, Lord Shiva asked them for a boon because of which he was asked to permanently reside as a Jyotirlingam to destroy people’s tensions.
It is also said that Lord Shiva’ divine consort – Mata Parvati, worshipped Lord Shiva.
The Temple
To reach the Kedarnath Temple, you need to trek 14 km uphill from Gaurikund. The temple is an imposing stone edifice wherein at its entrance, you can see the statues of five Pandavas, Lord Krishna (incarnation of Lord Vishnu), Nandi (holy vehicle of Lord Shiva), and Virbhadra – the guard of Lord Shiva in the first hall. The hall’s walls exhibit pictures of many deities and Hindu mythology scenes. The inner sanctum is where the lingam resides for public worship. What will stun you here is the sculpted head of a man in the triangular fascia, which is also seen in another nearby temple where the Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati.
Behind the temple, do visit the Samadhi mandir (resting place) of Shree Adi Shankaracharya.
Other Attractions
- Chorabari:
Located at 2 km and also known as the Gandhi Sarovar, this is a sacred lake from where it is said that the elder Pandava brother, Yudhishthir, departed for heaven. The hovering ice on the waters offers a shimmering look. - Vasuki Tal:
Located at 6 km, this is a lake from where you can have picturesque views of the Chaukhamba peaks. - Gaurikund:
Located at 14 km and apart from being the starting point to reach the temple, this place is famous for a shrine of Goddess Gauri (Mata Parvati) and thermal medicinal springs. - Triyuginarayan:
Located at 25 km from the temple and 5 km from Sonprayag, trek until here to be on the place marking the holy marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Further, do not miss to see the magically burning eternal flame right since marriage in the temple’s fascia. - Guptkashi:
Located at 49 km, this is the home of popular shrines of Ardhnareeshwar and Vishwanath.
Save to delicious
Stumble it
The temple is believed to have been built by Adi Sankaracharya and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva.
The older temple existed from the times of Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath.
The temple is also one of the four major sites in India’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas.