Shri Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, India

Overview of Shri Kedarnath

In Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, there are over 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Among them, Kedarnath is the most prominent. char dham yatra tour According to the Mahabharata, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought atonement from Lord Shiva for the bloodshed and killing of their relatives. However, Lord Shiva repeatedly eluded them, eventually seeking refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. As the Pandavas pursued him, Shiva dove into the ground, leaving only his hump visible at the Kedarnath temple’s current location. His other body parts emerged at four different places, forming the “Panch Kedar.” These include the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar, and the hair at Kalpeshwar.

Temple of Kedarnath

The temple at Kedarnath is an impressive sight, located on a vast plateau surrounded by high, snow-covered peaks. Initially built by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D., it stands next to an older temple attributed to the Pandavas. The assembly hall’s inner walls are decorated with images of various deities and mythological scenes. char dham tour package In front of the temple’s entrance, a large statue of Nandi, the bull, stands guard.

The Kedarnath temple’s architecture is fascinating. Constructed with large, evenly cut grey stone slabs, the temple’s structural design is intriguing considering the technological constraints of earlier centuries. Inside the temple, there’s a Garbha Griha (sanctum) where worship takes place, and a Mandap for pilgrim gatherings. A unique conical rock formation inside is revered as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.

History and Significance of Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, where Shiva is believed to have manifested as cosmic light. It is also the highest among the Jyotirlingas, at an elevation of 3,581 meters. Located in the Rudra Himalaya range, it is a 16-kilometer trek from Gaurikund. The temple’s steps are inscribed with Pali language texts, and its inner sanctum is adorned char dham yatra 2025 with various deities and mythological scenes.

Kedarnath’s connection to the Mahabharata is significant. After their victory, the Pandavas searched for Lord Shiva to repent their sins, leading to the story of his manifestation at Kedarnath. The temple has a conical rock formation representing Lord Shiva’s hump, where pujas and rituals are performed.

Seasonal Shifts and Snowfall in Kedarnath

Kedarnath experiences heavy snowfall during the winter, from November to April, causing the temple to close. The symbolic statue of Lord Shiva is moved to Ukhimath, where it is worshipped until the temple reopens in May. The reopening coincides with the start of the pilgrimage season when devotees from across India visit Kedarnath. The temple typically closes in November and reopens in April or May, with exact dates announced by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).