Panch Kedar - The Five Kedars

Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar are collectively known as Panch Kedar. Lord Shiva is worshipped at the five kedars in different forms.

The first and foremost is the famous temple of Kedarmathji, which is so widely known for its extraordinary sanctity. Here Shiva is worshipped in the form of a buffalo hump at Kedarnath already referred in Sri Kedarnath section.

The other parts of Shiva's body-arms, face, navel and hair appeared at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. These four places, alongwith Sri Kedarnathji are known as the Panch Kedar.

According to the puranas, while the front portion of the Lord appeared at Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, the other four parts are worshipped at :

(1) Tungnath for the Arms (bahu)

(2) Rudranath for the Face (mukh)

(3) Madhyamaheshwar for the Stomach (nabhi) and

(4) Kalpeshwar for the Hair (jata)