Kedarnath, Abode of Lord Shiva, One of the Char Dham, Uttarakhanda

Legend, Importance and Travel Guide of Kedarnath

Kedarnath, the small town of Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhanda is located in Himalayas at the height of 3,583 m above sea level near Chorabari Glacier. Kedarnath is highly sacred and significance pilgrimage center for Hinduism as one of the twelve and most important Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva located here in Kedarnath Temple. Kedarnath is one of the main Dham of Chhota Char Dham of Uttarakhand along with Badirnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and also one of the most important among the Panch Kedar –which includes the Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath is enclosed with the beautiful Mandakini River, snow-clad mountains, forests and mesmerizing views with deeply spiritual experience for each devotee. Thus it is major pilgrimage center from the ancient time and mentioned in various sacred text of Sanatan Dharma. There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the surrounding area itself but the most important one is Kedarnath.

As per the legends, Kedarnath Temple was built by the Pandavas after the war of Maharabharat and main motive was to please the Lord Shiva with their penance. Then this temple was reconstructed by the Adi Sankaracharya – the great saint and philosopher of Sanatan Dharma. Due to heavy snow and winter season, Kedarnath Dham is closed and deity is shifted to Ukhimath from November to April. Thus from May to October, devotee can visit here and worshiped the Lord Shiva at Kedarnath in natural environment surrounded by the mountains. Devotee and tourist can reach here by direct buses from Haridwar to Kedarnath or by helicopter services. During these six months millions of devotee and tourist across the India reach here with faith and true devotion. Gaurikund is the last point which can be reach by road before Kedarnath. From Gaurikund, it is almost 14 km up the mountains. Devotee can walk up or ride a pony, or be hauled up in a palanquin. Alternatively, you can take a very short helicopter ride from Sirsi, Phata or Guptakashi and then walk up the short distance to seek the blessings of Shiva. Thus facilities like accommodation, transport and food are well developed in Kedarnath now.

Kedarnath Flood in 2013

In June 2013, near the Kedarnath temple, the landslide occurred and huge amount of water flow from Mandakini River which wash everything in its way. Kedarnath town also bore the brunt of nature’s fury, but magically the Kedarnath temple survived. The huge stone at the back side of temple blocked the path of the water and saved the temple from being washed away.

Taluka / Tehsil: Ukhimath, District: Rudraprayag, State: uttarakhand-uttaranchal, Country: india.

Religious Importance: Hindu

How to Reach Kedarnath

Key Contact of Kedarnath