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 Pandavas constructed the first temple (which is now extinct) with 12 Jyothirlingas at the current site, and Adi Sankaracharya rebuilt it to become the current Kedarnath temple. This temple has the Samadhi of Adi Sankaracharya behind it.
Geographic Details
| District | Rudraprayag |
| Area | 3.5 sq km |
| Elevation | 3,583 m (11,755 ft) |
| Latitude | 30.7352° N |
| Longitude | 79.0669° 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
The most convenient route to Panch Kedar is by road. If you’re travelling from Delhi to Panch Kedar, you can take either a taxi or a bus. The nearest roadhead to Kedarnath is Gaurikund, which is well-connected to other parts of Uttarakhand by road. From Gaurikund, one can trek for around 14 km to reach Kedarnath.By Train:
Dehradun and Kathgodam are the two closest railway stations to Panch Kedar, with Dehradun being 229 km away and Kathgodam 336 km away. These stations provide an opportunity for you to take a taxi or board a bus to Panch Kedar.By Air:
The nearest airport to Kedarnath is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 229 km away. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest, being 229 km away, while the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is 446 km away.
The five Panch Kedar are Kalpeshwar, Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Rudranath and Tunganath
Kalpeshwar
Kalpeshwar, the fifth Pancha Kedar, is a small rock temple and a preferred site for sages to meditate. You can find this shrine in Urgam Valley at an altitude of 2134 meters. Here the locks (hair) and head of Lord Shiva are worshipped as Jatadhar.
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’.
Madmaheshwar
Madmaheshwar is the fourth temple of the holy Pancha Kedar. It is situated near the bottom of the Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3289 meters above the sea level, 30 kms northeast of Guptakashi.
Rudranath
Located in a dense forest, Rudranath, the 3rd Pancha Kedar, stands at a height of 2286 m. The shrine is situated 23 kms away from Gopeshwer. This natural rock temple is home to the Mukh of Lord Shiva, referred to as Neelkantha Mahadeva, and is worshipped here.
Tunganath
Tunganath, the second of the Panch Kedar temples, is situated on top of a hill. The highest shrine lies 3 kilometers uphill from Chopta, on the inner Himalayan range. Tunganath can be reached by following a path that passes through alpine meadows and rhododendron patches.
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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.
