Standing magnificently at an altitude of 3,580mts and enveloped in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas, the Kedarnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath forms one of the four sites of the Chota Char Dham Pilgrimage.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Temple is among the 275 temples of Paadal Petra Sthalams (the most powerful Shiva temples in the world) and is also the most important among the Panch Kedars.
The Mandakini River flows peacefully alongside Kedarnath. With fresh air and mesmerizing views, the ambience at Kedarnath makes you lose the sense of time. Every year, thousands of Hindus visit Kedarnath Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Temple is a favorite of adventure seekers and people inclined towards spirituality too.
It is said that the Pandavas constructed the Kedarnath Temple which was later restructured by Adi Shankara in 8th AD. It that essence, the incredible Kedarnath Temple which has stood the test of time is more than 1000years old. It is claimed by geologists that Kedanath Temple was under the snow for 400 years during the Little Ice Age. The Little Ice Age constitutes the period between 1300-1900AD.
The word Kedarnath means “the lord of the field,” derived from the Sanskrit words kedara (“field”) and natha (“lord”). In the text Kashi Kedara Mahatmya it has been stated that Kedarnathis called so because “the crop of liberation” grows there.
A small hall in front of the Kedarnath Temple beams with images of Parvati and the five Pandavas. The hall at the entrance of Kedarnath Temple is decorated with statues of Lord Krishna, the Pandavas, Draupadi, Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle, Virbhadra (one of the guards of Shiva), and other deities of the Hindu mythology. The grand statue of Nandi greets you outside the temple door. There is a conical rock structure inside the Kedarnath temple that is worshipped as the Sadashiva form of Shiva. A “Garba Griha” for worship and a Mandap for pilgrims is placed inside the temple.
Kedarnath Temple is made from gray hunk of stones. The stone slabs are interlocked with each other with the use of iron clamps. No mortar has been used in the construction of the temple.
The most striking feature of Kedarnath Temple is the magnificent Kedarnath. It comprises the irregular shaped lingum with a cylindrical pedestal of 3.6mts/12ft circumference and 3.6mts/12ft height.
You can reach Kedarnath temple through the trek route only. However, helicoptor service is also available to Kedarnath temple. Last road head of Kedarnath temple is Gaurikund from where you have to trek about 16 - 18 kilometers. Nearest railhead is Rishikesh and Jollygrant airport is the closest airport for Kedarnath temple.
Kedarnath Temple is popular place for following activities/ interests - Pilgrimage, Religious, Shiva Temples, Temples.
