kedarnath temple (uttarakhand)

 📍 Location

• Situated in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand

• Nestled in the Himalayas at an altitude of ~3,583 meters (11,755 ft)

• On the banks of the Mandakini River

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🙏 Deity

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva

• One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva

• Lingam here is in the form of a natural stone (irregular-shaped), believed to represent Shiva’s hump

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🌟 Religious Importance

• Part of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand (Chota Char Dham): Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath

• Also one of the Panch Kedar (five sacred Shiva temples in Garhwal Himalayas)

• Considered highly sacred for attaining Moksha (salvation)

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🏛️ Architecture

• Built in stone on a high platform surrounded by snowy peaks

• Believed to have been originally constructed by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE)

• Simple Garbhagriha (sanctum) with a large Mandap for devotees

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📖 Mythology

• Legend: After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Shiva for killing their kin.

• Shiva, avoiding them, disguised as a bull. When discovered, he dove into the ground, leaving his hump at Kedarnath, which is worshipped here.

• Other parts of the bull appeared in different places → forming the Panch Kedar temples.

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🚩 Pilgrimage

• Temple is open only from April/May (Akshaya Tritiya) to October/November (Kartik Purnima) due to extreme weather.

• In winter, the idol is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple (Ukhimath).

• Pilgrims trek ~16 km from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath (or use pony/helicopter services).