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One of the most important temples in the Himalayas, Kedarnath is amongst the major Shiva temples of the country. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the Panch Kedars and is located at the source of the river Mandakini.
According to mythology the deity of Kedarnath temple is identified with the rump of a bull, a form assumed by Lord Shiva, when eluding the Pandavas, who had come to repent for killing their kith and kin, during the battle of Kurukshetra . When the Pandavas followed him to the site, he dived into the ground leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical projection is worshipped as the idol in the temple. The |
remaining parts of the body are worshipped at our other sites:-the arms (Bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (mukh) at Rudranath, navel (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. These five shrines collectively are known as the Panch Kedar.
The Pandavas are given credit for building the temple of Kedarnath. The statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva, stands at the entrance of the temple. The wall inside the temple, is exquisitely carved with images, and the temple houses a shiva lingam, which is worshipped by hordes of pilgrims. What is truly unique about the lingam is that it is pyramidal.
As winter dawns in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand) to Ukhnimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage.
Kedarnath is situated in very scenic locales and is enveloped by lofty, snow-covered mountains and grassy meadows covering the valleys. The Kedar dome peak, which can be seen from great distance, is located immediately behind the temple. The sight of the temple and it's perpetually snowed landscape will take your breath away.
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