📍 Location
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Situated in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
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Nestled in the Himalayas at an altitude of ~3,583 meters (11,755 ft)
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On the banks of the Mandakini River
🙏 Deity
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Dedicated to Lord Shiva
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One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva
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Lingam here is in the form of a natural stone (irregular-shaped), believed to represent Shiva’s hump
🌟 Religious Importance
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Part of the Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand (Chota Char Dham): Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
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Also one of the Panch Kedar (five sacred Shiva temples in Garhwal Himalayas)
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Considered highly sacred for attaining Moksha (salvation)
🏛️ Architecture
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Built in stone on a high platform surrounded by snowy peaks
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Believed to have been originally constructed by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya (8th century CE)
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Simple Garbhagriha (sanctum) with a large Mandap for devotees
📖 Mythology
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Legend: After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Shiva for killing their kin.
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Shiva, avoiding them, disguised as a bull. When discovered, he dove into the ground, leaving his hump at Kedarnath, which is worshipped here.
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Other parts of the bull appeared in different places → forming the Panch Kedar temples.
🚩 Pilgrimage
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Temple is open only from April/May (Akshaya Tritiya) to October/November (Kartik Purnima) due to extreme weather.
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In winter, the idol is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple (Ukhimath).
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Pilgrims trek ~16 km from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath (or use pony/helicopter services).
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