Shri Kedarnath, nestled in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, boasts over 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, with Kedarnath being the most significant. Legend has it that after the Pandavas’ victory in the Kurukshetra war, they sought redemption chardham yatra from Lord Shiva for the guilt of killing their kin. Lord Shiva, in the guise of a bull, fled and eventually dived into the ground at Kedarnath, leaving his hump behind. The other parts of his manifestation are revered at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar, collectively known as the Panch Kedar.
The Temple at Kedarnath presents an imposing sight, standing amidst a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow-covered peaks. Originally built in the 8th century A.D. by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya, it is adjacent to the site of an earlier chardham tour package temple constructed by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door, a large statue of the Nandi bull stands as guard.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath temple showcases exquisite architecture, built of extremely large, heavy, and evenly cut grey slabs of stones. It houses a Garbha Griha for worship and a Mandap for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.
In Hindu tradition, it is believed that Lord Shiva manifested in the form of a Jyotirlingam or cosmic light. Kedarnath, situated in the Rudra char dham yatra Himalaya range of Uttarakhand, is the highest among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Constructed over a thousand years ago by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya, the temple is ascended through large grey steps adorned with inscriptions in the Pali language. The sanctum’s inner walls are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology.
According to legends from the Mahabharata, after their victory against the Kauravas, the Pandavas sought blessings from Lord Shiva to atone for their sins. Lord Shiva, eluding them, took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. The temple, char dham yatra 2025 continually renovated over the centuries, also houses a holy statue of Lord Shiva, worshipped as his portable manifestation (Utsavar).
Kedarnath experiences heavy snowfall from November to April, prompting rituals to shift to Ukhimath during winter. The symbolic statue of Lord Shiva is worshipped there until May when it’s carried back to Kedarnath, marking the start of the pilgrimage season. The shrine generally closes in October-November and reopens in April-May every year.
