Kedarnath Temple , India , Uttrakhand |Timing |History |Architecture Ticket Cost |Location | Near By Food | full details

 Kedarnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple of India. The temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river , Uttarakhand ,India. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is one of the four major sites in India's Chhota Char Dham. The temple  opens in April in Akshaya Tritiya and in  November in Kartik Purnima (the autumn full moon) . During Winter , deity is taken out from kedarnath and is then carried down to Ukhimath. This deity is then worshipped for next six months.

Location: Kedarnath , Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Entry Fee: Free
Timing: Opens in April and November
Time to visit: 15-16 days
Near by Food : Dharmshalas available and Tiwari hotel
Near by Market: Tilwada Bajaar /Street Market

According to Hindu culture , Lord Shiva is manifested in 12 jyotirlingas . This temple is highest among 12 jyotirlingas. Thus , Kedarnath is considered as the holiest shrines of Shiva . Although , It's not certain when and by whom it was built but an account from history prevails . According to it , after the war of Kurukshetra , pandavas came here to meet lord Shiva to seek forgiveness for their kin during the war. However , Shiva eluded them as he did not wanted to forgive them  . So , he turned into the bull and hide in the cattle at Guptkashi in the Himalayas of Garhwal . When Pandavas traced him , Lord Shiva tried to disappear by sinking himself into the ground . Bheema  (one of the Pandavas) caught the bull's tail (lord Shiva) and forced Shiva to pardon them . But Shiva dived himself and vanished . Lord Shiva reappeared at 5 locations kedarnath , Rudranath , Tungnath , Madhyamaheswer , Kalpeshwar. The head appeared at Rudranath , the hump at kedarnath , arms at Tungnath , navel part at Madhyamaheswer and hair (jatas) at Kalpeshwar .Pandavas built temple at each location , collectively , known as Panch-kedar.

PANCH-KEDAR

• Kedarnath - The temple is located at an altitude of 3580 m . A large statue of Nandi Bull welcomes you in the temple . Inside the temple , there is Shiva lingam or the hump of lord Shiva .This is the place where the Holy Sanctum is placed .The inner walls of the temple has scenes from Hindu Mythology . Also , one can see inscriptions in Pali language at the steps of the temple.

• Rudranath- The temple is located at an altitude of 2286 m .This temple is a rock temple and  it is the place where  the face of  Shiva appeared . Here , the lord shiva is worshipped as Neelkanth Mahadev . The whole  of the place is surrounded with many pools (kunds) such as Surya Kund ,Chandra Kund , Tara Kund and many other . 

• Tungnath- The temple is located at an altitude of  3680 m . This temple is at the highest level and easiest to reach . Here the arms of Lord Shiva appeared . Whole of  the place is surrounded with beautiful meadows and splendid peaks of Nanda Devi , Chowkhamba and many more .

• Madhyamaheswer- The temple is located at an altitude of  3289 m . At this place , the belly or navel part of Shiva appeared . This temple is encircled with  peaks of Neelkantha  , Chowkhamba and Kedarnath .  

• Kalpeshwar- This rock  temple is located at an altitude of  2200 m . Here , the Jatas (Hair) of lord Shiva is worshipped . The temple has its opening from a cave . This temple also has Kalpvriksha Tree which is believed to be the wish granting tree .  

One normally takes 15-16 days to complete Panch-kedar Yatra . All of the 5 temples are located at most serene parts of the Himalayas . Journey to these temples include trekking and mesmerizing views of snow -covered peaks , wildlife , meadows and definitely a holistic feel . Journey to these temples becomes more aesthetic and memorable with the jaikaras of Shiva .