Sri Kedarnath Temple: A Sacred Abode of Lord Shiva
In the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand lies a sacred site revered by millions – Kedarnath
In the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand lies a sacred site revered by millions – Kedarnath, one of the most prominent among over 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the region. tour operators in uttarakhand Legend has it that after the Pandavas emerged victorious in the Kurukshetra war, they were burdened with guilt for having slain their own relatives. Seeking redemption, they pursued Lord Shiva, who took refuge at Kedarnath in the guise of a bafellow.
As the Pandavas followed, Lord Shiva disappeared into the earth, leaving his hump visible on the surface at Kedarnath. Sri Kedarnath Temple: chardham tour packages A Sacred Abode of Lord Shiva The other parts of his divine form appeared at four other locations, revered as his manifestations: Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. Together, these five shrines are known as the Panch Kedar.
The Kedarnath Temple, a breathtaking sight nestled amidst a wide plateau surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks, was originally constructed in the 8th century A.D. by the revered Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya. It stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple erected by the Pandavas themselves. The temple's inner walls are adorned with intricate figures of deities and mythological scenes, while a majestic statue of the Nandi bafellow guards its entrance.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple showcases exquisite architecture, built from large, precisely cut grey stone slabs. Its Garbha Griha (sanctum) and Mandap (assembly hall) provide spaces for worship and gatherings. Within the temple, a conical rock formation is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.
Historical Significance:
In Hindu tradition, Kedarnath is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, manifestations of Lord Shiva as the cosmic light. Constructed over a millennium ago by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya, the temple stands in the Rudra Himalaya range of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3,581 meters, reachable through a 16 km trek from Gaurikund.
Built upon a massive stone platform, the temple's ascension is marked by large grey stone steps adorned with inscriptions in the Pali language. Its sanctum walls depict various deities and mythological narratives.
According to the Mahabharata epic, after their victory, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva's blessings to absolve themselves of the sins committed during the war. Lord Shiva, fleeing from them, took refuge at Kedarnath, leaving his hump visible on the ground. This hump, worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form, remains within the temple, where priests and pilgrims perform rituals and pay homage.
The temple's annual closure during heavy snowfall from November to April necessitates the ceremonial transfer of a symbolic statue of Lord Shiva to Ukhimath, where worship continues until May. With the arrival of May, the statue returns to Kedarnath, marking the reopening of the temple's doors to pilgrims from across India, who undertake a sacred pilgrimage. The shrine typically closes in Kartik (Oct-Nov) and reopens in Vaishakh (Apr-May) each year.