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The Kedarnath Temple is a Hindu shrine located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and is one of the most revered places of worship in India.
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas,” which are the holiest shrines in Hinduism. On the occasion of Maha Shivratri let’s take a quick visit to Kedarnath Temple.
Here are some lesser-known facts about the Kedarnath Temple
Age: The temple is said to be over 1000 years old and was built by Pandavas during the Hindu epic period of Mahabharata.
Location: The temple is situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Himalayas.
Architectural Style: The temple is built in the traditional North Indian style of architecture and is made of massive stone slabs. It has a conical roof that is topped with a gold-plated pinnacle.
Hiking Trail: To reach the temple, one has to undertake a challenging 14 km trek from Gaurikund. The trail passes through beautiful valleys and steep inclines, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Char Dham Yatra: The Kedarnath Temple is one of the four shrines that form the Char Dham Yatra, which is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage journeys in Hinduism. The other three shrines are Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
Floods of 2013: In June 2013, heavy rainfall caused flash floods in the region, resulting in the destruction of much of the temple and the surrounding area. The temple was later restored to its former glory, and the trek to the temple was also improved.
Temple Timings: The temple remains open from April to November and is closed for the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall in the region.
Puja Timings: The temple performs five pujas (offerings) each day, with the first puja starting at 5:00 am and the last puja at 9:00 pm.
Legend: There is a popular legend associated with the temple that says that Lord Shiva, upon being pursued by the Pandavas, took refuge in the form of a bull at Kedarnath. The Pandavas finally caught up with him and managed to capture him by grabbing his hump, which turned into stone. This stone is now worshipped at the temple as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Mandakini River: The temple is situated on the banks of the Mandakini River, which is considered to be sacred in Hinduism. Pilgrims often take a dip in the river before visiting the temple.
Wildlife: The region surrounding the Kedarnath Temple is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Himalayan black bears, musk deer, and snow leopards.
Seismic Activity: The Kedarnath Temple is located in a seismically active region and has been affected by earthquakes in the past. Despite this, the temple has remained standing for over a thousand years and is considered to be a testament to the strength of traditional Indian architecture.
In conclusion, the Kedarnath Temple is a magnificent shrine that is steeped in history and legend. It is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims and trekkers, who come from all over the world to pay homage to Lord Shiva and to witness the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Extra InfoThis year in 2023, Kedarnath Temple will be open on 26 April 2023.
The Shrine will close on 14 Nov 2023 on the eve of Bhaiya Dooj.
If you are planning to pay the visit to Kedarnath Temple this year you can login to the government website https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/
The opening and closing dates of Kedatnath Temple will be officially announced on 18 Feb 2023 (Maha Shivratri Day)
If you need any kind of help you can call on the Pilgrims Help Line Number : +91-7302257115
Please note, piligrims who want to visit Badarinath & Kedarnath shrines need to be complete the online or offline formalities before starting yatra.
If you are planning to visit by your own vehicle then the online registration is must for your vehicle as well.
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