Kedarnath is a Hindu shrine located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and it has a rich history and mythology associated with it.
According to Hindu mythology, the Kedarnath temple was built by the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, as a way to atone for their sins. Lord Shiva, who was being pursued by the Pandavas, took the form of a bull and disappeared into the ground at Kedarnath. The temple is believed to be built on the spot where Lord Shiva disappeared, and the lingam inside the temple is said to have been formed naturally by the elements of earth, air, water, and fire.
In terms of its historical significance, the exact date of the construction of the Kedarnath temple is not known, but it is believed to be more than 1000 years old. The temple has undergone several renovations and rebuilding efforts throughout its history, due to natural disasters such as heavy snowfall, landslides, and earthquakes.
Etymology:
The name "Kedarnath" means "the Lord of the Field". It is derived from the Sanskrit words kedara ("field") and natha ("lord"). The text Kashi Kedara Mahatmya states that it is so-called because "the crop of liberation" grows here.
Location:
Kedarnath is located at a distance of 223 km from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand and close to the source of the Mandakini River at the height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft) above sea level.[11] The township is built on a barren stretch of land on the shores of Mandakini river. The surrounding scenery of the Himalayas and green pastures makes it a very attractive place for pilgrimage and trekking. Behind the town and the Kedarnath Temple, stands the majestic Kedarnath peak at 6,940 m (22,769 ft), the Kedar Dome at 6,831 m (22,411 ft) and other peaks of the range.
KEDARNATH TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE:
Kedarnath is made up of grey hunk stones. The stone slabs are interlocked with each other with the use of iron clamps. No mortar has been used in the construction of the temple.
The most striking feature of kedarnath temple is the magnificent kedarnath. It comprises the irregular shaped lingum with a cylindrical pedestal of 3.6mts/12ft .
Glory of the shrine:
The temple is said to be more than 1,200 years old and one among the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The majestic Kedarnath peak (6,940 metres) stands behind the temple along with other peaks and adds to the scenery of the area.
Built from large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones, the structure is a masterpiece. The conical Shiva lingam is worshipped as the Lord in his Sadashiva form. It adds a unique feature to the temple among all Shiva shrines. The Garbha Griha is for worship and a Mandap is for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors.
The Kedarnath temple closes on the first day of Kartik (October-November) and reopens in Vaishakh (April-May) every year. Around this time of the year, the air appears to echo with the name of Lord Shiva amid snowclad peaks, meadows and forests of the lower range of the Himalayas. The temple is built on the banks of Mandakini and the Saraswati rivers.
Other places in Kedarnath Dham that are major tourist attractions are Gaurikund, Chorbari Tal, Bhairav Temple and Vasuki Tal.
Looking back at history and legends, one can say that Kedarnath has truly stood the test of time.
