Kedarnath
Kedarnath (The Celestial Jyotirlingam) is the ancient and magnificent temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range in Rudraprayag District of the northern state of Uttarakhand.
In Kedarnath lord Shiva is worshiped as one of the twelve jyotirling (linga of light). This conical protrusion about five feet by four feet, or ‘jyothirlingam’ is worshipped as the idol in the Kedarnath temple. Other parts emerged at four other places: arms at Tungnath, face at Rudranath, belly at Madmaheswar and the locks of hair with head at Kalpeshwar. All the five shrines are worshiped as ‘Panch Kedar’.
Kedarnath is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. This thousand years old built temple is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large gray steps leading to the holy sanctums, we find inscriptions in Pali on the steps. The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology.
The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic, Mahabharata. The statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva, stands at the entrance of the temple as a guard. Inside the temple, there are marvellous sculptures of Kedaragouri, Krishna, Pandavas, Draupadi, Karthikeyan etc.
A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshiped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has been continually renovated over the centuries.
Besides its affiliation with Siva, Kedarnath is also believed to be the site of Shankaracharya’s samadhi (achievement of a beatified afterlife). The Bhairavnath temple, which is situated to the south of the main temple of Kedarnath, is dedicated to Lord Bhairav, the deity who guards the main temple in winter when it is closed.
Photo Credit: Piyush Bhardwaj on iStock
Origin
The original temple (now extinct) with 12 Jyothirlingas was built by the Pandavas at the present site and Adi Sankaracharya restored the present Kedarnath temple. The Samadhi of Adi Sankaracharya lies behind this temple.
Geographic Details
| District | Rudraprayag |
| Area | 4010 sq km |
| Elevation | 1,160 to 7,068 meters |
| Latitude | 30.7435° N |
| Longitude | 79.0672° E |
Other Details
| Language | Hindi, Garhwali and Kumaoni. |
| Place Famous For | Pilgrimages and Tourist Places. |
| Best Time to Visit | Summers and Autumn. |
| Clothing | When visiting in the winter, wool and jackets are advised. |
How To Reach
Road links between Delhi and other significant cities are excellent for Dehradun and Haridwar. Buses from New Delhi and neighbouring cities, as well as private buses, travel to Haridwar. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri are all located 109 kilometres, 146 km, 114 km, and 210 km, respectively, away from Dehradun.By Train:
Dehradun and Haridwar are well connected to Delhi and other significant cities.By Air:
The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 55 kilometres from Haridwar. There are frequent flights from Delhi to Dehradun, and the latter has good connections to other significant Indian cities as well. With Char Dham Helicopter Service, which offers helicopter excursions to the dham beginning in Dehradun, the journey has now been made much easier.
Badrinath
Badrinath, also called the Abode Of Lord Vishnu, is situated in Himalayas on the banks of the Alaknanda river in Chamoli District. The town lies between the Nar and Narayana mountain ranges and in the shadow of Nilkantha Peak.
Gangotri
Gangotri (The Eternal Gift Of Bhagirath’s Penance) is the shrine situated amidst charming surroundings, along the right bank of Bhagirathi is 100 km from Uttarkashi in Uttarkashi District. The ritual duties are supervised by the Semwal family of pujaris (priest).
Kedarnath
Kedarnath (The Celestial Jyotirlingam) is the ancient and magnificent temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range in Rudraprayag District of the northern state of Uttarakhand.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri, also called the “Sacred Jewel Of The Himalayas”, is situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarkashi District at the source of the Yamuna river.
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Puja Songs
The Puja songs of Uttarakhand, India, are a significant component of its cultural history. These songs, which are performed in adoration of the gods and goddesses, are a crucial component of the numerous religious and cultural celebrations held in the area. Traditional instruments like the dhol, damau, and hurka are used to accompany the lyrics of these songs, which are typically written in the regional Kumaoni or Garhwali dialects.
Pawada
The Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India, is well known for its pawada style of folk song. In the same category as the folk ballads, Khuded and Laman, which portray a woman’s loneliness while her husband is in war, is Pawada. Love, care, fear, and pride are all expressed in abundance in these songs. These songs provide the woman with the inner strength to deal with daily struggles when she is by herself and without her husband. The Hills people are extremely brave and committed to serving their Nation, it should be noted. They have repeatedly shown their courage during war and warfare.
Maangal
During auspicious events like marriages, childbirth, and other religious and social festivals, the folk music genre known as “Maangal” is traditionally performed in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The songs are said to bring luck and fortune because the word “Maangal” is an auspicious or blessing. Traditional instruments like the dhol, damau, and hurka are used to accompany the lyrics of Maangal songs, which are typically written in the regional Kumaoni or Garhwali dialects.
Laman
Traditional folk music known as laman originates from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. A single artist or a small group of musicians will typically perform this unusual style of music, which combines singing and playing an instrument. Laman songs frequently have deep and depressing tunes and are sung in the regional Garhwali language. The anguish and suffering of the common people and their struggles with poverty, love, and loss are frequently reflected in the lyrics of the Laman songs.
