Location: Kedarnath Temple is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level. It is nestled in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India.
Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is worshipped in the form of a natural rock known as the “Kedareshwar” lingam.
Legend: According to Hindu mythology, Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered the most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that when the Pandavas were seeking Lord Shiva’s forgiveness after the Kurukshetra War, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull and tried to hide in Kedarnath. When discovered, he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface, which is why the lingam here is in an irregular shape.
Temple Architecture: The temple is built in the traditional North Indian temple style with a stone exterior. It is relatively small in size but is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, including snow-capped peaks and the Mandakini River.
Opening and Closing Dates: Due to the extreme weather conditions in the region, Kedarnath Temple remains open only for a specific period each year. It typically opens around the end of April or early May and closes around Diwali in October or November. These dates may vary depending on weather conditions.
Pilgrimage: Kedarnath is a significant pilgrimage destination for Hindus, and it is part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage circuit in the Himalayas that also includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath.
Accessibility: The temple is not easily accessible by road throughout the year due to heavy snowfall in the region. Pilgrims often have to trek or use ponies and palanquins to reach Kedarnath during the pilgrimage season.
Reconstruction: The temple has witnessed destruction and reconstruction multiple times in history, with the most recent major reconstruction effort following the devastating floods in 2013.
