🛕 Kedarnath Temple – Complete Details 📍 Location Situated in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. Located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple stands near the Mandakini River, with snow-covered peaks (including Kedarnath […]

🛕 Kedarnath Temple – Complete Details

📍 Location

• Situated in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.

• Located at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas.

• The temple stands near the Mandakini River, with snow-covered peaks (including Kedarnath Mountain) in the backdrop.

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🙏 Religious Significance

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Kedarnath (the Lord of Kedar Khand).

• One of the Char Dham Yatra and also part of the Panch Kedar temples.

• It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva.

• Mythology: After the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Shiva. He eluded them by taking the form of a bull and dived into the ground. The hump appeared in Kedarnath, while other body parts appeared in different places (forming the Panch Kedar).

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🏛 History & Architecture

• Believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas.

• The present temple was revived and renovated by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

• Built in Nagara-style stone architecture using massive grey granite slabs.

• The sanctum houses a natural stone lingam (Shiva lingam) in the shape of a hump.

• Behind the temple stands a large statue of Adi Shankaracharya, who attained samadhi here.

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🌊 Mandakini River

• Flows beside the temple, originating from the Chorabari Glacier.

• Considered sacred, pilgrims take a dip before darshan.

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🛣 Trek & Accessibility

• Kedarnath is accessible only by trek.

• Main route: Gaurikund to Kedarnath (16 km trek).

  • Options available: pony, palki (palanquin), or helicopter services.

• Nearest road head: Gaurikund (accessible by road from Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun).

• Nearest railway station: Rishikesh (215 km).

• Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (238 km).

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📅 Opening & Closing Dates

• The temple opens every year on Akshaya Tritiya (April/May).

• Closes on Kartik Purnima (October/November).

• During winter, the idol is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, where worship continues.

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🏔 Best Time to Visit

• May to June and September to October are the best months.

• Monsoon (July–August) is avoided due to heavy rainfall and landslides.

• Winters (November–April) remain snow-covered and inaccessible.

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🚩 Nearby Attractions

• Gaurikund – Base camp of the trek, with a hot water spring and Gauri Mata Temple.

• Vasuki Tal – A high-altitude lake, 8 km trek from Kedarnath.

• Bhairavnath Temple – Guardian deity of Kedarnath, located close to the main shrine.

• Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar) – A glacial lake, 3 km trek from the temple.

• Triyuginarayan Temple – Believed to be the place where Lord Shiva and Parvati married.

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✨ Rituals & Festivals

• Daily rituals: Morning Maha Abhishek and evening Aarti of Lord Shiva.

• Shravan Month (July–August) is considered highly auspicious for Shiva worship.

• Badri-Kedar Festival – Celebrated in June, in honor of Lord Vishnu and Shiva together.

• Pilgrims offer bilva leaves, ghee, flowers, and sacred water to the lingam.

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