Kedarnath Pilgrimage Tour - By: Amit Kothiyal

Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus. Located in the picturesque surroundings of Rudra Himalayan range, at a height of 12000 feet, on a mountain named Kedar; Kedarnath dham is one of the sites of Chardham Yatra and also one of the Panch Kedars. Near Kedarnath flows the Mandakini River that joins another river named Alakananda at Rudraprayag. This place is around 150 miles away from Hardwar and 132 miles north of Rishikesh.

You can travel to Kedarnath only between April to November. Enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva, this temple opens only for 6 months in a year; from the time when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries until when the sun enters Scorpio. During the winter season the priests go to Ukhimath, where they worship Kedareshwara.

Tradition has it that while you are on a Kedarnath Yatra, you must first visit the Yamunotri and the Gangotri to take holy waters from the Yamuna and Ganga River to offer prayer to the Kedareshwara.

Legend Behind Kedarnath Temple

Legend has it that Nara and Narayana, the two incarnations of Lord Vishnu performed severe repentance in front of a Shivalingam formed out of earth. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared in front of them to present them with a boon. Nar and Narayan then requested Lord Shiva to take up a permanent abode at Kedarnath as a Jyotirlingam so that all those who want to perform penance can worship Shiva here and get freed from their miseries.

According to another popular belief, the Pandavas are believed to have visited the Kedarnath several times for repentance for killing their kith and kin, in the battle of Kurukshetra.

Significance of Kedarnath Temple

Located in the mighty Himalayas, the Kedarnath Temple is one of the most famous Shivasthalams in India. It is also considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites of the country. It is a common belief that if you want to get all your desires fulfilled you should offer a praying to Kedareshwar.

Even the spiritual leader Adi Sankaracharya is closely related to Kedarnath. Behind the Kedarnath Dham is the Samadhi of this great Hindu spiritual leader.

Structure of Kedarnath Temple

The Kedarnath Shrine is located amidst the lofty & snow-covered Himalayan Mountains. Just behind the temple you can sight the high Keadardome peak situated at a great distance.

It is believed that the Kedarnath temple was built by the Pandavas. At the entrance of the temple you will find the statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva. The inside walls of the temple are intrinsically carved with images. The revered Lingam of Lord Shiva housed in the Kedarnath temple is in the unusual pyramidal shape.

About the Author

Kedarnath Dham is one of the most popular pilgrim site located in Garhwal Himalayas. Kedarnath Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Char dham Yatra in Uttarakhand remains incomplete without visiting the Kedarnath Temple. For more information about Kedarnath Yatra visit Chardham-Pilgrimage-Tour.com

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