Kedarnath Dham, situated in the Rudraprayag locale of Uttarakhand, is one of the most prime areas for admirers of Shiva. The air gives off an impression of being resounding with the name of Lord Shiva amid the relentless snow-clad pinnacles, captivating knolls, and backwoods of the lower mountain scope of Himalayas. Arranged in a stunning area, close to the wellspring of Mandakini River and at the stature of 3,584 meters, Kedarnath Dham commends the enormity of Lord Shiva. Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is additionally the most significant shrine among the Panch Kedar (gathering of 5 Shiva sanctuaries in Garhwal Himalayas). It is additionally one of the famous sites of the holy Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, raising the magnificence of the spot to promote statures.
The legend behind the Temple
Troubled with the blame of murdering their blood family members, Pandavas looked for Lord Shiva to forgive themselves for their wrongdoings. Shiva would not like to release them from their bad behaviors so effectively and camouflaged himself as a bull to wander in Garhwal Himalayas. On being found by Pandavas, Shiva plunged into the ground. Bhim attempted to get him and could just get hold of the protuberance. Other body portions of Shiva (as a bull), came up at better places. The mound of the bull was found in Kedarnath, navel rose at Madhya-Maheshwar, two forelegs showed up at Tungnath, face in Rudranath and hair came up at Kalpeshwar. Together these five consecrated spots are called Panch Kedar. It is accepted that initially, Pandavas manufactured the sanctuary of Kedarnath; the present sanctuary was built up by Adi Shankaracharya who re-established and restored the brilliance of the place of worship.
The fantastic and great structure of Lord Shiva's sanctuary is made of dark stone. Soak climb extending to 14 km from Gauri Kund overflows with plenteous excellence of nature. The cleared and soak way blessings, the travelers witness the awesome perspectives on frigid pinnacles, snow-capped hills and superb woods of rhododendrons. A huge stone statue of Nandi Bull gazes at the altar, guarding it, sitting right inverse it. There is one Garbha Griha which houses the essential icon (pyramid formed stone) of Lord Shiva. The symbols of Lord Krishna, Pandavas, Draupadi and Kunti discover a space in the Mandapa area of the sanctuary. The sanctuary has withstood common cataclysms like torrential slides, seismic tremors and floods for more than a thousand years and still stands as solid and exquisite as it must have initially been.
With the beginning of winters, the entrances of the sanctuary are shut on the first day of Karthik (Oct/Nov) while expounding customs, and a moveable symbol of Shiva is moved to Omkareshwar sanctuary in Ukhimath (Rudraprayag locale). The Shiva icon is invited back and the sanctuary is opened again following a half year in the Vaisakh (Apr/May) time of Hindu schedule.
Kedarnath Temple Timings: 4:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Kedarnath Temple Entry Fees: Nil
