Kedarnath is a spiritual place dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Rudraprayag. Kedarnath temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
The Historical Significance of Kedarnath
The credit for the construction of Kedarnath temple goes to the Kunti Son’s Pandavas, who wanted to atone for the cruel sins committed due to the war with Lord Shiva. After that, Kedarnath was rebuilt by Adi Shankaracharya.
The Pandavas performed penance in the Himalayan hills to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva but Lord Shiva was not ready to forgive the Pandavas, so he transformed himself into a bull because Lord Shiva did not want the Pandavas to recognize him, But the Pandavas recognized Lord Shiva and Bhima started pulling him but Lord Shiva kept sinking into the earth and reappeared at five places (hump in Kedarnath, arms in Tungnath, stomach in Madhyamaheshwar, face in Rudranath and head in Kalpeshwar) and all these together form the Panch Kedar.
Architecture of Kedarnath Temple
The Kedarnath Temple is made of huge stone slabs reflecting the North Indian style and stands at a height of about 3,583 metres (11,755 ft).
Key Features:
Sanctum Sanctorum: It houses a triangular shaped lingam that represents Lord Shiva.
Assembly Hall: Deity statues and elaborate carvings adorn it.
Nandi Bull: A large statue of Nandi guards the entrance of the temple.
The Mystery of Kedarnath Temple
June 2013 Kedarnath incident
On 16-17 June 2013, a very terrible tragedy occurred in Kedarnath Dham due to cloudburst. Due to the high velocity of water, water changed its course and along with that big rocks and debris came into Kedarnath area, causing a terrible flood. Due to this devastation, 5000 people lost their lives and 4500 villages were damaged.
Our three armies were engaged in rescue operations day and night and they saved about 1.10 lakh pilgrims and it is the grace of Lord Shiva that the temple did not suffer any damage.
Testing of Kedarnath Dham stones
Scientists conducted tests to find out the age of the stones and found out that Kedarnath temple was buried under snow for about 400 years and even after that the temple did not suffer any damage.
How to Reach Kedarnath
By Air:
For those travellers who come from far away, the first route is by air, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is located about 239 kms from Gaurikund. The journey from the airport is done by road.
By Train:
The second route to Kedarnath Dham is the railway route. The name of the nearest railway station to Kedarnath is Rishikesh Railway Station, its distance is about 221 km. The journey from Rishikesh Railway Station onwards has to be done by road.
By Road:
Continuous buses and taxis are available for Kedarnath Dham from Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehradun, the journey from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple has to be covered by Trekking, which is about 16 km.
Best Time to Visit Kedarnath
Kedarnath temple is open for pilgrims from April/May (auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya) to November (Bhai Dooj).
Best Time
The ideal time to visit is during summer months (May to June) and post monsoon (September to October).
Avoid
Traveling during monsoon season (July-August) should be avoided as it is a hilly area and prone to landslides.
Spiritual Experience at Kedarnath
Kedarnath Yatra in itself is a journey of faith and connection with nature. During the journey to Kedarnath, one experiences a peaceful atmosphere, the echo of prayer mantras and the breathtaking view of the Himalayas.
Tips for Pilgrims
- The journey to Kedarnath is difficult, the walk is about 16 kilometers and it requires moderate physical fitness.
- Keep warm clothes with you during the journey to Kedarnath because due to the hilly area, there is a risk of bad weather at any time.
- Try to avoid unnecessary burden during the journey.
- Book a room in advance to rest during the journey, otherwise you may face problems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kedarnath Yatra
Can I visit Kedarnath without registration?
No, it is necessary to Registration first. For Registration Visit Here
Are phones allowed in Kedarnath temple?
No, mobile phones are not allowed within 200 meters of Kedarnath temple.
Is oxygen low in Kedarnath?
Yes, due to the high altitude of Kedarnath the oxygen level is generally low.
At which time is Kedarnath less crowded?
October to November
Is the Kedarnath trek difficult?
Yes, there is around 16 kilomiter trekking.
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