| Temple Highlights:
The present temple built by Adi Shankaracharya is next to the site of an earlier temple that legend says was built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. The samadhi (final resting place) of Adi Shankaracharya is located behind the main shrine. The temple is made out of gigantic, evenly cut grey slabs of stone, and the inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of several deities and mythological scenes. Just outside the temple stands a large statue of Nandi Bull as a guard.
Inside, a conical rock formation is worshipped as the Shiva lingam. Legend has it that that the Pandavas wanted to pay homage to Lord Shiva during their pilgrimage to the Himalayas. Shiva, however, evaded them and took the disguise of a bull. The Pandavas realized this and held the bull from behind. During the struggle, different parts of Lord Shiva's body fell over various places in the Kedar valley and the hump is said to have fallen at Kedarnath.
Around Kedarnath:
Gaurikund is the base of the strenuous 14 km trek uphill to the shrine of Kedarnath. The tiny village has a temple dedicated to Gauri and a few hot springs. Ukhimath is 60 Km away from the main shrine and is the winter home of Lord Kedarnath. Vasuki Tal 6 Km away, is a scenic lake against the backdrop of the majestic snow-clad Chaukhamba peaks; since the climb is tough, it's advisable to go along with a guide. Gandhi Sarovar is a lake 3 km from the shrine where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed. Gupt Kashi 50 km away has the famous temples of Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanathji.
For a lovely outdoor excursion visit Deoria Tal (68 km away). You will have to take a bus to Sari, the terminus of the Chopta-Ukhimath route. The lake is a 2 km walk from here. For a short one-day trek, you can head up the path from behind the Kedarnath temple toward Mount Bharatekuntha.
Tourism Info:
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam
102 Indraprakash Bldg,
Barakhamba Road
New Delhi
Tel: 23350481
GMVN Dehradun
74/1, Rajpur Road,
Dehradun -248001.
Tel: 135-2740896, 2746817, 2749308, 2748478
GMVN Rishikesh
Shail Vihar, Haridwar By Pass Road,
Rishikesh - 249201.
Tel: 91-135-2431793, 2431783
Tourist Office Gopeshwar
Tel: (01372-86)52468
Kedarnath is revered as one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations in India. Situated at an altitude of 3,584 m, the holy town of Kedarnath overlooks the Kedar Massif, a stunning mountain formation with several glaciers, including the source of the Mandakini River. The shrine of Kedarnath is reached by a 14 km trek uphill from Gaurikund. It houses one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingam,
in which Lord Shiva is manifest. Built more than thousand years ago,
this temple can be visited only during some months of the year. Winters
are excessively cold and the shrine opens when the snows have melted in
April or May. Besides being an important pilgrim centre, Kedarnath
offers the traveller stunning vistas of lofty snow peaks, rivers and
the green meadows. |
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