Kedarnath Shivling:
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Kedarnath Mandiris a major pilgrimage center located in the Kedarnath mountain ranges in Uttarakhand, which is called the land of gods. This famous religious place has special importance especially among people who believe in Hinduism.
Construction of Kedarnath Temple:
Kedarnath Dham situated in Rudraprayag district of the state is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This is the reason why this religious place is considered to be the main among Char Dham and Panch Kedar.
This huge temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is built by joining huge boulders of brown colored cut stones. The temple has been constructed on a platform about 6 feet high. The height of the Jyotirlinga located in the Kedarnath temple is 3584 meters. It is the most important of the12 Jyotirlingas.
Which river flows in Kedarnath Dham?
Kedarnath templeis surrounded by three mountains (Kedarnath, Kharakund, Bharatkund). Apart from this, there is also a confluence of five rivers (Mandakini, Madhuganga, Kshirganga, Saraswati and Swarnagauri). Although some of these rivers no longer exist, theMandakini riverexists even today.
How old is Kedarnath Temple?
More than1000 years old Kedarnath templewas built by Janmejaya of Pandava dynasty. Although some people also believe that this temple was established by Adiguru Shankaracharya. Images of various Hindu deities can be seen on the inner walls of the prayer hall of the temple. In the Shri Kedarnath temple, Shankar is worshiped in the form of a body of a bull’s back.
History of Kedarnath Temple:
1. According to one legend, Lord Shiva, pleased with the austerity of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Mahatapasvi Nar and Narayan Rishi, appeared to him and granted him the boon to reside forever in Kedarnath in the form ofJyotirlinga.
Panchkedar History:
2. According to another legend, after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas wanted to get rid of their sins and attain salvation. On the advice of Lord Krishna, the Pandavas reached Varanasi to apologize to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was angry with the Pandavas because of the unjust incidents that happened during the war, so Lord Shiva came to Kedar and joined other animals by taking the form of Nandi. When the Pandavas got suspicious, Bhima took a huge form and spread his feet on two mountains.
After this, when the animals were taken out from under the feet of Bhima, other animals left but Lord Shiva was not ready to go.
When Bhima tried to catch the tail of Lord Shiva in the form of Nandi, Nandi started meditating in the land. Then Bhima grabbed the back part of the bull.
Panchkedar:
Lord Shiva was pleased to see the devotion of the Pandavas and freed them from their sins.
After meditation, the part above his torso appeared in Kathmandu. Where is the famous temple ofLord Pashupatinath.
Apart from this, the arms of Lord Shiva appeared in Tungnath.
The face in Rudranath.
The navel in Madhyamaheshwar.
His Jata in Kalpeshwar.
Therefore these places including Shri Kedarnath are calledPanchkedar. Since that time Lord Shankar is worshiped in Shri Kedarnath Dham in the form of body of bull’s back.
How to reach Kedarnath Temple:
Kedarnath nearest airport:
The nearest airport to reach Kedarnath is Dehradun.
Kedarnath nearest railway station:
The nearest railway station is Rishikesh.
Baba Kedar’s Dham can be reached from here only by road. After reaching Gaurikund by vehicle, the further path can be taken on foot to reach Baba’s temple. Helicopter facility is also provided to reach Kedarnath temple.
