Kedarnath
Kedarnath is the highest of the twelve jyotirlings, situated at a height of 3581m, in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It is also one of the Chhota¯ Cha¯r Dha¯m and Panch Kedar. The name derives from Sanskrit words ‘Keda¯r’ which means field, and ‘Na¯th’ meaning lord. According to Ka¯shi Keda¯r Maha¯tmya, this is where the ‘crop of liberat Chhota Char Dham (Chhota means small, char means four, and dham means abode) is the small circuit of four important pilgrimage centres, all located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. They are – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. (Char Dham refers to the four temples of Badrinath in Uttarakhand, Jaggannath Puri in Odisha, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and Dwarka in Gujrat). Panch Kedar are five Lord Shiva temples in Garhwal, Uttarakhand – Kedarnath, Tunganath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar and Kalpeshwar.
Multiple stories regarding the origin of Kedarnath are narrated, the most prominent one being linked to the Mahabharat. As per the legend, after emerging victorious in the battle at Kurukshetra, the Pandavas sought forgiveness for their sins from Lord Shiva, so they went to Kashi (Varanasi). However, Shiva, not willing to give them an audience, took the form of a bull and went at hiding in Garhwal. When the Pandavas came looking for him and Bhima recognized him, Shiva disappeared into the ground to reappear later, in parts, at different places – head and hair at Kalpeshwar, face at Rudranath, hump in Kedarnath, arms in Tungnath, and navel in Madhyamaheshwar.
The Skanda Pura¯n?a states that Kedarnath is the place where Ganga descended onto earth from heaven. Another legend says that Nar and Narayan, incarnations of Lord Vishnu performed great penance at Badrinath to please Shiva and as boon, they asked him to reside at Kedarnath to alleviate the sufferings of devotees. Some other legends and folktales prevail too. This is also the place Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya chose to be known as his last resting place. It was him who revived this temple (and others such as the Char dham) in the 8th eight century.
May to June and September-October are the best months to visit Kedarnath. Nearest airport is Jolly Grant airport which is almost 240km from Kedarnath, nearest railway station is Rishikesh (216km). Taxis and bus services are easily available. Hereon, the mountainous serpentine road, laced with enthralling scenes of nature at its best, leads the devotees via Dev Prayag, Rudra Prayag, Gupt Kashi, Phata, Son Prayag, and Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham. From Gaurikund, it is a steep trek of approximately 16km. Horses and palanquins are available too. Alternatively, helicopter services can be availed at Phata. It takes around seven to ten minutes to cover the distance, and the helicopter lands much near the Kedar temple. Arrangements for overnight stay at Kedarnath can be made, but precautions are necessary.
Gaurikund, 1982m high, is the base camp for Kedarnath. It has hot springs. Legend says this is the place where Gauri, Shiva’s consort also known as Goddess Parvati, undertook penance to win over Shiva and be his partner.
The rugged route and high altitude (low level of oxygen, atmospheric pressure, and temperature) make the trek especially difficult for people with medical issues like asthma, arthritis, blood pressure, etc. Medical posts are instituted every few kilometers. Portable oxygen cylinders are available too. However, all and any discomforts are worth it; the young Mandakini river frolicking deep below in the gorges along the route, the mighty Himalayas in all their grandeur with snow covered peaks visible at some distance, the deep green valleys – they can instill a deep calm and sense of wonder at the same time.
The temple is made of grey stone slabs and is generally considered to be around three thousand years old. Right outside the temple, in front of the doorway, the bull Nandi, carved out of a large black stone is seated. The sanctum is preceded by a large hall where images of the Pandavas, Draupadi, Krishna, and other deities are installed. Unlike the usual round, cylindrical shivaling, here, the sanctum has a triangular, almost pyramidal shivaling.
Mention must be made of the huge rectangular boulder that lies right behind the temple. During the 2013 flash floods which caused huge loss of life and property, this boulder tumbled down the mountain in such position that the immense flow of water did no damage to the temple while the surrounding area was heavily damaged. Gaurikund was devastated to such extent that the government is still restoring it.
The head priest of Kedarnath is appointed from the Veershaiva community in Karnataka. During winters, the deity is moved down to Ukhimath (1311m) which is almost 25km from Kedarnath.
Kedarnath is one of the most significant shrines for the Hindus. The temple opens for the pilgrims when sun enters the zodiac sign Aries i.e. during the months from April to November. The place attracts a large number of spiritual seekers, yogis and mystics. The natural scenic beauty and palpable energy at the shrine makes Kedarnath the most captivating and spellbinding abode of Lord Shiva.