Kedarnath Temple holds an essential significance for Hindus. It is also stature as one of Char Dham Yatra’s four pillars. For Hindus, it is a place to clean your sins and achieve a position in heaven. Kedarnath Temple is also called Shiv-Lok on earth.
Due to intense weather conditions, the Kedarnath temple takes a six-month winter smash that starts from the Diwali time pageant of Bhai Dooj and is reopened to devotees after the Akshaya Tritiya competition in late April or early May.
List of Interesting Facts about Kedarnath Temple
#1 The Birth of Kedarnath
According to popular belief, Nar and Narayana – two forms of Lord Vishnu undertook an intense penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand, where they venerated a Shivalingam that had gracefully emerged from the Earth. This pleased Lord Shiva, who then materialized before Nar and Narayana and offered them a boon.
In response, they requested Lord Shiva to eternally reside as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath. This was done so that the people who come to pray to Lord Shiva at this site could break free from the shackles of their troubles and afflictions in life. For further exploration, please visit “https://hozonefly.com/”.
#2. The Founding Legends of Kedarnath
The history of Kedarnath traces its origins to the Mahabharata. It narrates that the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to absolve themselves from the guilt of killing their kinsmen. Lord Shiva, in the guise of a humped buffalo, concealed himself in Guptkashi, previously known as Kashi.
The Pandavas ultimately located Lord Shiva, who was hidden beneath the ground with his hump poking out. This deeply impressed Lord Shiva. A different legend tied to the Kedar temple suggests that Goddess Parvati revered Kedareshwar to fuse with Shiva as Ardhanareshwar.
#3. The Origin of Kedarnath Temple’s Name
An intriguing aspect of Kedarnath is how its name was derived. A legend from antiquity narrates that to shield themselves from demons, the deities invoked Lord Shiva.
The Lord manifested as a bull and declared to the ‘Kodarum’ (whom to slash and whom to rip apart). Using his horns and hooves, Lord Shiva vanquished the demons, casting them into the Mandakini River. Hence, the name Kedarnath is derived from ‘Kodarum.’
#4 The Custodian of Kedarnath
An obscure fact about Kedarnath is the Bhairo Nath Temple’s role, which is located in close proximity to the Kedarnath Temple. It is believed that Bhaironathji safeguards the Kedarnath Temple by warding off evil during the temple’s closure.
Therefore, the Bhiaronath Temple is ceremoniously visited during the commencement and conclusion of the Kedarnath Temple’s operations.
#5. The Importance of Kedarnath Jyotirlingam
The Lingam at Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. It is believed to have bestowed its blessings upon the Himalayas, imbuing them with the divinity of Lord Shiva.
This tradition began when Nar and Narayana, two manifestations of Lord Vishnu, after performing an austerity, convinced Lord Shiva to reside as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath. Thus, devotees who come to seek Shiva’s blessings here also strive for liberation.
#6. The Temple of Kedarnath
The Kedarnath Temple, with its age being over a millennium, continues to bless the Himalayas and the numerous visitors each year.
Notably, during the disastrous 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, the entire town of Kedarnath was devastated, but the temple remained relatively unscathed. This was attributed to a large rock behind the temple that redirected the enormous floodwater away from the shrine.
#7. Inside Kedarnath Temple
The Veerashaiva community of Karnataka, also known as Raval, provides the chief priest of the Kedarnath Temple. However, the Raval does not perform the rituals in the temple directly.
Instead, these rituals are conducted under the Raval’s direction by other priests. During the winter months, the Raval relocates with the deity to Ukimath.
#8. The Pandavas’ Persuasion
The Pandavas sought to absolve themselves from the sin of fratricide and embarked on a journey to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. Lord Shiva, who was indifferent to the Pandavas, relocated to Kedar, disguised himself as a bull, and hid among other animals in the Himalayas.
Nonetheless, Bheema was able to identify Lord Shiva through his hump. Employing his immense strength, Bheema cleaved two mountains apart, where Lord Shiva, who was submerged under the ground, had his hump on the surface. Bheema grasped it, and that’s how Lord Shiva bestowed his blessings upon them.
#9. Protected and Indestructible Kedarnath Temple
In the 2013 devastating cloudburst, a big calamity struck Uttarakhand. While the state’s mountainous place suffered catastrophic landslides and floods, the temple becomes stored even regardless of a massive boulder coming down the mountain.
Strangely, as it got here down the hill, the giant free, rolling boulder stopped short a few meters far from the temple and shielded it from any destruction even in that calamity. Footage screen that a big rock in the back of the temple diverted the vast floods of water coming toward the shrine.
#10. Protected By Baba Bhairon Nath
Lord Bhairon Nath Ji, whose temple lies nearby in this Himalayan vicinity, guards the Kedarnath temple. Bhairon Nath is also referred to as the “Kshetrapal,” the fiery avatar of Lord Shiva that is related to devastation and destruction.
Locals say it’s far from Bhairon Nath Ji who drives away evil spirits and maintains the temple lose from any damage. The Bhairon Baba Mandir, it’s far placed to the south of Kedarnath Temple, and people who visit Kedarnath Temple also are required to go to the Bhairon Baba Ka Mandir.
#11. Something special about the priest!
Another exciting fact that you ought to recollect at the same time as journeying Kedarnath is that the rituals are achieved with the aid of a particular community’s participants. The temple’s head priest, referred to as a Rawal, belongs to the Veera Shaiva Jangam network of Karnataka.
Here is the exciting part, although. The head priest or the Rawal, does not carry out the rituals in the temple. He delegates this duty to his assistants. In the winter season, the Rawal shifts his base to Ukhimath alongside the main deity.
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#12. Kedarnath Temple Is The Highest Of All 12 Jyotirlingas
The Kedarnath Temple, status at an outstanding top of just about 3583m, is the best of all Jyotirlingas in India. The production of the temple seems even greater implausible when we take into account its unbelievable top.
13. It Is Not A Temple, But A Portion Of Panch Kedar
As a matter of fact, the Kedarnath Temple is part of the Panch Kedar. It refers to the five holy locations committed to Lord Shiva, all of that is placed in the Garhwal Himalayas. Not merely that, those figuring out to go on a pilgrimage to Panch Kedar should accomplish that in a strict chronological order.
Being devotees who embark on a Chota Char Dham of Himalayas pilgrimage is anticipated to go to Kedarnath first, followed by Tungnath, then Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar, and sooner or later Kalpeshwar.
14. Very Peculiar Pilgrim
You would be the coronary heart of it and notice it too while touring Kedarnath Temple. First-time devotees are always surprised at the sight of a lingam that is pyramid-fashioned. But then, isn’t the entirety of this temple tremendous?
The tale of the way this lingam came to gather its gift form is also a charming one. Running far away from them, he reached Kedarnath, where he disguised himself in the shape of a bull.
Can Be Reached Through Various Ways
The town of Kedarnath is well linked to the relaxation of Uttarakhand’s cities and towns via Air, train, and avenue.
By Air:
The Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to Kedarnath, positioned at almost 238 km. This airport operates daily flights to Delhi. From Jolly Grant Airport, you could lease taxis and personal motors to attain Gaurikund, which is the bottom for the trek to Kedarnath Temple.
By Rail:
Haridwar and Rishikesh Railway Stations are the closest railway station to Kedarnath. There are trains to be had to all of the predominant towns in India. From Haridwar and Rishikesh Railway Station, you could lease taxis and personal motors to take you to Gaurikund.
By Road:
To attain Kedarnath Temple, you’ll first have to reach Gaurikund, the base from where the trek to the temple starts. Roads adequately connect Gaurikund to the entire cities and towns of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath Temple is situated on NH 109. Buses, taxis, and personal cars are to be had to Gaurikund from several cities, including Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Chamoli Uttarkashi.
Conclusion:
Kedarnath Temple is a delight to head. This temple is a minimum one thousand years vintage temple that has blessed the Himalayas and the individuals who go to it every 12 months. It has confronted disastrous calamities in the past; however, the Kedarnath temple has not misplaced its value. So without any worries, you can plan a trip with Tusk Travel to enjoy the Darshan of Lord Shiva and the temple.
Also, check more articles on Uttarakhand:
- Essential Guide to Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand
- Kedarnath Temple’s Opening Date for the Public in 2022 is 6 May
- Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Badrinath
- 10 Best Tourist Places to See in May in Uttarakhand
- Uttarakhand 10 Famous Places to See in June
- Famous Religious Places and Temples in Uttarakhand
- Badrinath Opens for Devotees for Char Dham Yatra on 8 May 2022
- New Ropeway Launched at the Surkanda Devi Temple in Uttarakhand
