Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the Char Dham Yatra which is situated at Hindus do. This is a temple site, a temple of Shiva.
As per beliefs and stories of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga temple, Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is considered Shiv Lok on Earth and is considered one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga sites across India.
Worshippers of Shiva visit everyone to take blessings. It is located in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand, which is in the Garhwal Himalayan ranges.
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Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located at the top ranges and hence faces extreme weather. Due to this extreme weather, this temple is open for six months of the year. During the Bhai Dooj which is Diwali time, the temple has a winter break.
It is again open on Akshay Tritiya, which is in late April or early May. During the winter break, the idol is taken to Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand. But the popular time visit to this temple is during June and July, which are generally warmer months.
It feels as if every tree, stone, and drop of water has a story to tell. Everything in the valley is soaked in historical stories and deep spirituality owing to its magnificent and colourful historical and mythological account
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Interesting Facts about Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple
- One folklore says that the Pandavas of Mahabharata built this shrine to seek blessings against the sins that were accounted to them for the war.
- After the great war of Kurukshetra, Pandavas travelled to Kashi in search of Lord Shiva.
- But Bhole Shankar being the God escaped to Uttarakhand by changing himself to a bull form.
- Pandavas then further continued their travel to Uttarakhand from Kashi. They soon found Lord Shiva in his Bull form and began to pray.
- It is said that Guptakashi is the place where Pandavas found Shiva in the form of a bull.
- Though the shrine’s origins are documented in Mahabharat the current temple was designed and constructed under the orders of Adi Shankaracharya.
- Pandavas were granted blessings from their sins, hence many devotees travelled to seek blessings to get rid of their sins.
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- Another story says that Nara and Narayana – two incarnations of Vishnu performed severe penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand. It was performed in front of a Shivalingam fashioned.
- Lord Shiva was pleased by their performance and told them to ask for a boon.
- Nar and Narayan requested Shiva to take up a permanent abode as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath so that all people who worship Shiva shall be freed from their miseries. And this is how the shrine was formed.
- At a very short distance away from Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple, there is a temple dedicated to Bhaironathji.
- Bhairon Nath is also known as the “Kshetrapal”, the fiery avatar of Lord Shiva that is associated with devastation and destruction.
- Bhaironathji is pompously worshipped during the opening & closing of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple.
- A belief that goes behind this celebration is that Bhairavnathji protects this land from evil during the time the temple of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is closed.
- The belief is so strong that locals say it was Bhaironnathji who protected the land during the massive flood situation.
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History of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple
Though we have many accounts of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath’s historical account can be dated back to the 8th century to the great sage.
The present Kedarnath temple, which was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D., stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas.
He is known for travelling his way from his birthplace in Kerala to Kedarnath. During his journey, he established several months, temples and pilgrimages.
He established the Chota char Dham yatra in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand to revive the feeling of Hinduism among the Hindu population. It is believed that he has spent a good amount of a lifetime in Kedarnath Dham.
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It is also believed that he took a last breath there. To commemorate his feat of brilliance and excellence in establishing some of the most popular pilgrimage circuits, temples, and shrines.
Which is highly revered even to the present day a sacred shrine dedicated to Adi Shankara has been established right behind the temple
It has become a common tradition to pay homage and respect to the idol of Adi Shankara here. After the devastating flash floods of 2013, this Samadhi is being rebuilt in an underground chamber to keep it safe for future visitation.
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Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Buried in Snow
Scientists have dug out secrets that are held in this pristine temple. A research team from Dehradun went ahead to perform some research on the temple walls that would give them clues about the temple’s exact age.
And they found has kept everyone awe stuck that the main temple of Kedarnath was buried inside a thick covering of snow for 400 years.
This result was postulated by performing various tests on the outer walls of the temple which showed yellowish lines and upon further research. It was shown that these lines were a result of a mini-ice age. Where the entire region of Rudraprayag was completely covered in a massive covering of ice.
It is astonishing that even after this ice age period the temple was completely fine and not a single crack was seen.
It is clearly understood that whoever was responsible for making this temple structure had kept in mind the harsh weather conditions.
In this area and had prepared the temple accordingly so that it survives even the harshest of the climates.
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Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Architecture
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga represents the peak of ancient Hindu architecture. It is believed to have been built between the 9th to 11th centuries.
But a further study of the outside and inside of the structure of the temple reveals that it may have been built even way before the said duration. Thus, the exact period of creation of the Kedarnath temple is unknown.
The temple is made out of massive blocks of mountain rocks. It is built out of grey hunk stones.
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The stone slabs are interlocked with each other with iron clips instead of mortar. The temple is built to stay untouched during the harshest weather conditions.
A series of stone steps lead up to the temple, which is spread out in an area of 3 sq. km. In front of the temple is an idol of Nandi cow, which adds to the beauty of this temple.
The most magnificent Kedarnath is the most striking feature. It is an irregularly shaped lingam with a cylindrical pedestal of 3.6 m and 3.6 m in height.
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Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple: FAQ
Beliefs and Stories of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple in India | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple Opening and Closing Date
The aerial distance between Kedarnath and Badrinath is 41 kilometres.
1. Helicopter services have been established. So you can reach Kedarnath within 30 Minutes.
1. There are lots of local taxi services to reach Kedarnath from Badrinath.
2. Kedarnath and Badrinath are located on the mountains nearby. If you are a trekker then you would love to trek and reach Kedarnath.
How to Reach Badrinath and Kedarnath from Rishikesh
The distance between Kedarnath to Rishikesh is 105 kilometres. The distance between Badrinath to Rishikesh is 293 kilometres. The distance between Kedarnath to Badrinath is 41 kilometres.
1. Reach Kedarnath or Badrinath first. By road using Taxi & Buses within 5-6 hours. By Air Using a Helicopter within hours. By Tracking within 2-3 days.
2. Helicopter services have been established. So you can travel between Kedarnath & Badrinath within 30 Minutes.
3. There are lots of local taxi services to reach Kedarnath from Badrinath.
4. Kedarnath and Badrinath are located in the mountains nearby. If you are a trekker then you would love to trek and reach Kedarnath.
How to Reach Kedarnath by Train
There is no train services started yet. You can reach Dehradun by train. Then you can start your journey Using:
1. Local taxi
2. Local buses
3. Helicopter
4. Trekking
Where is Kedarnath and Badrinath
Kedarnath and Badrinath is in Uttrakhand, India. Kedarnath and Badrinath is part of Char Dham Yatra. For more information you can click here – http://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/
Can I go to Kedarnath in December?
You can visit Kedarnath in December. But Kedarnath temple is closed during Diwali time. You can go to Kedarnath in December and enjoy the snowfall.
Kedarnath December Temperature: -15°C
Kedarnath November Temperature: -10°C
How to go to Kedarnath Temple from Haridwar
By road Distance between Kedarnath to Haridwar is 239 kilometres, and by air Kedarnath to Haridwar is 123 kilometres.
1. Helicopter services have been established. So you can reach Kedarnath within 1 Hour.
1. There are lots of local taxi services to reach Kedarnath from Haridwar within 5 to 6 hours.
2. If you are a trekker then you would love to trek and reach Kedarnath.
How to Plan Kedarnath Yatra
Kedarnath Temple is open from March to October. So plan accordingly because from:
March to April – You may see snow
April to June – You may see a rush
June to August – You may see rain
August to October/November – Clear weather, no rush & cold season.
Be Prepared For:
1. Registration for Yatra
2. Source of journey Taxi, Car, Helicopter or Trekking
3. Booking for Taxi, Helicopter or Guide for Trekking
4. Do not dream of luxury travel & stay
5. Give proper time to stay & explore the Holi place
How to Reach Kedarnath from Mumbai
The road distance between Kedarnath and Mumbai is 1437 kilometres.
1. Reach Dehradun or Haridwar from Mumbai using a Flight or Train.
2. Helicopter services have been established directly. So you can reach Kedarnath within 1 Hour.
3. There are lots of local taxi services to reach Kedarnath from Dehradun & Haridwar.
4. If you are a trekker then you would love to trek and reach Kedarnath.
When was Kedarnath Temple Built
8th century A.D.
The present Kedarnath temple, built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century A.D., stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built by the Pandavas.
Where to Stay in Kedarnath
There are lots of hotels & cottages that have been built. So, you don’t need to worry about staying & booking a hotel in Kedarnath.
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