A- A A+

Kedarnath Temple Uttaranchal, Jyotirlingam, Kedarnath Yatra, Hotels in Rudraprayag, All about Kedarnath Badrinath Yatra, History of Kedarnath

in
Dwadash Jyotirlings - Kedarnath - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
Kedarnath is the northernmost Jyotirling of Shiv, situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttaranchal.
    
This place is considered as the 3rd of the 4 dhams in the Himalaya region and is also the source of Mandakini River.
    
The last days of Aadiguru Shankaracharya were spent here and it is here that he got Nirvana.
    
There are 250 sacred Shaiv locations in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, of which Panch Kedar (Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Kalpeshwar and Rudranath) hold special importance.
    
Currently the entire region is known for the world famous Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary.
 

no_jos

NULL

Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to the beliefs from Puranas, Lord Shiv, pleased with the penance and meditation by Nar and Narayan, made an appearance and promised to stay here in the form of a Jyotirling.
    
 According to Skand Puran, the pilgrimage of those who visit Badrinath without going to Kedarnath has no significance, while the pilgrimage to both the places is considered to rid all the sins and give salvation.
    
According to Vayu Puran, when Vishnu came on Earth for the first time at Badrinath, the place belonged to Shiv. Later on, at Vishnu’s request, Shiv moved to Kedarnath.
   
It is believed that in Satyug, Upamanyu worshipped Shiv at this place and got a boon from him.
    
According to another belief, after the battle of Mahabharat, the Pandavas came here to rid themselves of the sin of gotra-hatya (killing of kins). Seeing them coming, Lord Shiv disguised himself as a bull and hid beneath the ground. The 5 parts of his body later appeared as Panch Kedar.
 
-
 Kedarnath
:
 hump
-
 Rudranath
:
 face
-
 Tungnath
:
 arms
-
 Madhyamaheshwar
:
 navel
-
 Kalpeshwar
:
 matted hair
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
Mahabharat suggests that this region was home to tribes like Kirat and Pulind. It is believed that the ancient temple located here was built by the Pandavas.
   
In the early years of the 9th century, Shankaracharya built the modern-day temple and established its winter peeth in Ushimath. In those days, the Katyuri dynasty ruled over the region.
   
In the Middle Ages, the Panwar dynasty established by King Bhanupratap, reigned.
   
In 1640 A.D. during Shahjahan’s reign, the Mughals attacked the region with the support of the Kumaoon ruler. But, Karnavati, the Queen of Gadhwal, not only defeated them but also chopped off the noses of the enemy soldiers and officers. That is why she is known as Naak-katni Rani.
   
In 1659 A.D., the region came under the Mughals with the efforts of Jaisingh.
   
The massive earthquake of 3rd December 1803 created turmoil in people’s lives.
   
After the Anglo-Nepalese war of 1814-16, the region came under the British.
   
In the 70s, the region was a topic of national debate due to the Chipko movement.
   
In the year 2000, it became a part of the state of Uttaranchal state.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Kedarnath Temple:
 
This Katyuri styled temple was built by Shankaracharya. The garbhgriha (Sanctorum) of the temple has a page-like, self raised stone (the Jyotirling). Besides, the temple also houses idols of the 5 Pandavas, Aniruddh and Usha. A huge Nandi statue stands outside the temple.
    
Shankaracharya Samadhi:
 
It is located behind the Kedarnath temple. It is believed that Shankaracharya left for the heavenly abode at this place in 1820 A.D.
    
Chorwadi Glacier:
 
Situated at 3 km above the Kedarnath temple, this glacier is the origin of the Mandakini River that then joins the Alaknanda in Rudraprayag.
    
Koteshwar Temple:
 
It is a cave temple, 3 km away. The belief is that Lord Shiv meditated here before proceeding to Kedarnath.
    
Vasuki Taal:
 
This is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, 15 km above the main temple. The Chaukhambha range can be viewed from here.
   
Gauri Kund:
 
It is situated on the northern point of NH-109, en-route to Kedarnath. Here, Parvati meditated for Shiv and won him as her husband.
   
Ushimath:
 
This was the capital of Banasur in Dwapar Yug. He was killed by Lord Krishna, who then got his grandson Aniruddh, married to Banasur’s daughter Usha. During winters, the worship of Kedarnath takes place here which is also the residence of the chief Rawal of the temple.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Badri-Kedar Utsav:
 
Held in the month of June, it is the biggest festival of the region. It represents the unified form of Vishnu and Shiv.
   
Shravani Annakoot Mela:
 
It is celebrated a day before Rakshabandhan when the entire Jyotirling is covered with cooked rice, which is then distributed as prasad after the puja.
   
Samadhi Puja:
 
Organised with great enthusiasm and grandeur just before Kartik month, it is also the announcement of the closure of the temple for winters. From hereon, the Shiv puja is held at the winter capital, Ushimath.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Guest houses run by the Temple Committee
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 G. M. V. N., Guptkashi
 Address
 Guptkashi
 Telephone
 01364 - 267 221
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 G. M. V. N. Tourist Bungalow, Rudraprayag
 Address
 Rudraprayag, Uttaranchal - 246 171
 Telephone
 01364 - 233 347
 Web Site  www.gmvnl.com
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Monal Resort
 Address
 Rudraprayag, Uttaranchal - 246 171
 Telephone
 +91 - 01364 - 233 901
 Fax  +91 - 01364 - 233 906
 Web Site  www.monalresorts.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  3584 metres  1450 mm
 31˚ N  79˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr  May  Jun Jul Aug  Sep  Oct  Nov Dec
 Maximum 
Snow 
Snow 
Snow 
5
14
18
17.5 
17.8
15
12
4
Snow 
 Minimum
Snow
Snow
Snow
0
5.7
9
10
10.5
8
5
0
Snow
   
 
Important Informations
Kedarnath is situated on the Kedarnath Mountain range in mid-Himachal and is a 14 km journey on foot from Gaurikund.
The ideal time for touring Kedarnath is April to June and September to October.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 01364
 Puja Timings  6.00-8.00 a.m. and 7.30-8.00 p.m.
 Police  Assistance
  Rudraprayag, Tel: +91 - 1364 - 233 208
 Ambulance
  +91 - 135 - 2430402 / 2682070
 Hospital
  Nirmal Ashram Hospital, Mayakund, Rishikesh  
 (Private Hospital)
 Tel: +91 - 135 - 2432215 / 2430942
 G. D. Hospital, Tilak Road, Rishikesh,
 (Government Hospital)
 Tel: +91 - 135 - 2430102
 Currency  Exchange
 Punjab National Bank
 Rishikesh Laxman Jhoola, Dehradun,   
 Uttarakhand - 248 001
 Tel: +91 - 135 - 2753 - 936
 Bank of Baroda
 Ballpur Chowk, Dehradun, Uttarakhand - 248 001
 Tel: +91 - 135 - 2753936
 ATM Centre

 

  State Bank of India
 Swarg Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttaranchal
 ICICI Bank ATM
 Station Sub Area Canteen, Dehradun Cantonment,
 Dehradun - 248 003
 Post Office
 Kedarnath Sub Office, Ushimath Taluka,
 Dist. Rudraprayag
 Tourist Office
  G M V N Tourist Bungalow,
 Tel: +91 - 01364 - 233 347
   
 
Food
Non vegetarian food is prohibited in the entire region. As far as possible, pilgrims should arrange for their own food. Other necessary food is available in the dhabas on the way.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
Loading...
PDF File: 
application/pdf iconkedarnath.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Dehradun
New Delhi
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Haridwar  HW
 Rishikesh  RKSH
 Dehradun  DDN
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Yamunotri  Dehradun  240 km
 Rishikesh  201 km
 Haridwar  223 km
 Gangotri

 

  Dehradun  212 km
 Rishikesh  177 km
 Haridwar  200 km
 Kedarnath  Dehradun  163 km
 Haridwar  151 km
 Rishikesh  130 km
 Badrinath  Dehradun  245 km
 Joshimath  31 km
 Haridwar  230 km
 Haridwar  Dehradun  49 km
 Rishikesh  24 km

Forward

Email this page
Print preview icon