10 Fascinating Facts about Kedarnath
Welcome to the holy land of Kedarnath. A destination that is blessed with natural beauty. It also holds immense spiritual significance for millions of devotees. Nestled amidst the majestic Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath is one of the holiest places in India and a key pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. As part of the Holy Chardham Yatra, Kedarnath attracts tourists from across the world who come here seeking solace and enlightenment. In this blog post, we bring you 10 fascinating facts about Kedarnath that will leave you spellbound! So sit back, relax, and get ready to embark on an incredible journey through time and spirituality.
But you will feel like visiting this Temple during your Chardham Yatra when you will read more interesting facts about Kedarnath Temple.
Legends about the creation of Kedarnath Temple
Legends abound about the creation of Kedarnath Temple, one of the holiest shrines in India. According to Hindu mythology, devotees believe that Lord Shiva himself chose this spot to establish his abode and bless devotees with his divine presence.
One legend has it that after the great Mahabharata war, the Pandavas wanted to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva for their sins committed during the battle. However, they were unable to find him anywhere until finally Bhima identified him disguised as a bull grazing in a nearby field. The Pandavas recognized Lord Shiva and tried to capture him, but he disappeared into the ground leaving behind only his hump.
Another legend suggests that Kedarnath was originally built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE. He re-established many ancient temples across India and revived Hinduism during his time. It is said that he rediscovered Kedarnath temple buried under snow and restored its glory.
Irrespective of which legend you choose to believe in, there’s no denying that Kedarnath occupies an important place in Indian spirituality and history alike!
Bhairo Nath is the protector deity of Kedarnath
Bhairo Nath is known as the protector deity of Kedarnath. According to legend, he was a demon who attacked Lord Shiva in the form of a buffalo. However, Bhairo Nath realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness from Lord Shiva.
In return, Lord Shiva granted him the title of “Kshetra Palaka,” which means protector of the holy land. Therefore, Bhairo Nath is worshipped by devotees as a guardian of Kedarnath Temple.
Every year during the winter season when the temple closes due to heavy snowfall, Bhairo Nath’s idol is taken to Ukhimath village where it stays until May when Kedarnath reopens again for pilgrims.
Devotees believe that worshipping Bhairo Nath before visiting Kedarnath assures their safety during their journey and stay at this sacred site.
The significance of Bhairo Nath can also be seen through several rituals performed at Kedarnath Temple such as offering flowers and coconuts to his idol inside the temple premises.
Bhairo Nath has been an integral part of Kedarnath’s history and continues to hold immense importance among its devotees even today.
The Highest of all the Shiv temples in India
Kedarnath Temple is the highest of all the Shiv temples in India, located at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level. Situated on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river, this temple is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
The temple has a unique architecture that reflects its significance and grandeur. The massive stone walls adorned with intricate carvings stand tall amidst snow-capped peaks. The stunning views from here are awe-inspiring and breathtaking.
People believe that Lord Shiva himself established Kedarnath Temple, which makes it an essential place of worship for devotees worldwide. The temple’s sanctity lies in its location as well as its history and cultural significance.
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Visitors to Kedarnath not only seek blessings but also come to admire nature’s beauty and experience spiritual enlightenment. Many trekking enthusiasts love visiting this serene spot due to its extraordinary geographical setting.
Kedarnath Temple’s distinction as the highest Shiv temple in India adds another layer of wonderment to this already remarkable place of worship. It stands proud among other significant religious destinations globally and continues to attract visitors worldwide who wish to pay homage or witness its divine aura firsthand.
Major place of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand, commonly referred to as Devbhumi (Land of Gods), is a state in northern India that is home to some of the holiest Hindu temples and shrines. Among these sacred places, Kedarnath stands out as one of the major destinations for pilgrimage.
Located at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level, Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that visiting this temple washes away all sins and brings salvation or moksha from the cycle of birth and death.
Every year thousands of devotees visit Kedarnath during the Char Dham Yatra which also includes Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath. The yatra starts in April-May and ends in November with the closing ceremony known as “Kapat Bandhana”.
The journey to reach Kedarnath involves trekking through scenic mountainscapes surrounded by snow-capped peaks, crossing rivers like Mandakini and encountering serene valleys filled with wildflowers. Despite its challenging terrain, pilgrims flock to this site each year seeking divine blessings.
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In addition to its spiritual significance, Kedarnath also holds historical importance as it was believed to have been built by Adi Shankaracharya during his lifetime in the eighth century CE.
Kedarnath remains a major place of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand attracting visitors from around the world who seek spiritual enlightenment amidst stunning natural beauty.
The Main pujari is not North Indian, but belongs to Karnataka
One of the most interesting facts about Kedarnath Temple is that its main pujari or priest is not from North India, but actually hails from Karnataka. This fact goes to show how diverse and inclusive Hinduism can be as a religion.
The current head priest of Kedarnath Temple is Shri Vageesh Lingachar. He has been serving as the temple’s chief priest since 2012 and has gained much respect for his devotion and service.
Although it may seem surprising at first glance, it’s important to note that Hinduism does not discriminate based on geographic location or caste. Anyone who shows dedication and knowledge in their spiritual practices can become a priest, regardless of where they come from.
In fact, many temples across India have priests who hail from different parts of the country. This diversity only adds to the richness and complexity of Hindu culture.
It’s fascinating to think that despite being located in one of the most remote regions in India, Kedarnath Temple continues to attract people from all over the world, including priests like Shri Vageesh Linga char who bring their unique backgrounds and traditions with them.
Buried under snow for 4 centuries
Kedarnath Temple is located in the Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand and it has witnessed several natural calamities in its long history. One such event happened around four centuries ago when Kedarnath Temple was buried under snow for almost 400 years.
It is said that during this time, devotees were unable to visit the temple as it was inaccessible due to heavy snowfall. The temple was rediscovered only in the early 20th century by a team of explorers who cleared the snow and found the temple intact.
The discovery of Kedarnath Temple after being buried under snow for so many years generated excitement among people from all over India, especially among Hindu devotees who considered it a miracle.
Despite facing numerous obstacles like extreme weather conditions and landslides, people still continue to visit this holy shrine today with great devotion. It serves as an inspiration for millions of pilgrims who take on difficult journeys just to seek blessings from Lord Shiva at Kedarnath Temple.
Origin of Kedarnath
The origin of Kedarnath is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and legends. According to one such legend, the Pandavas came here after the battle of Mahabharata seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings and redemption for their sins. However, Lord Shiva did not want to meet them as they had killed their own kin in the war. So, he took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a bull.
When the Pandavas found him, they tried to capture him by holding onto his tail. However, Lord Shiva escaped into the ground leaving behind his hump at Kedarnath. The temple was built over this hump and it became a major place of worship for Hindus.
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Another legend suggests that Adi Shankaracharya visited this place during his travels across India and re-established its significance as a pilgrimage site for devotees.
The geological history of Kedarnath also adds to its mysterious charm – it was formed due to tectonic movements resulting from collisions between two ancient continents – Gondwana and Laurasia – millions of years ago.
The origin story of Kedarnath Temple blends history with mythology making it an awe-inspiring destination for all visitors who seek spiritual solace amidst scenic beauty.
The Construction of Kedarnath Temple
The construction of Kedarnath Temple is a fascinating story that dates back to the 8th century. According to legend, the temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the early years of his spiritual journey. He discovered the site where Lord Shiva had manifested himself as a jyotirlinga and decided to build a temple there.
The original structure was made of stone and wood, but over time it fell into disrepair due to its location in an area prone to extreme weather conditions. In the 17th century, Raja Bhoj Pal rebuilt the temple using marble and granite.
The current structure stands on a raised platform supported by massive stone slabs. The walls are adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The roof is made of copper sheets and crowned with a towering spire that dominates the landscape.
Despite being subjected to numerous natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides, floods etc., Kedarnath Temple has stood tall for centuries thanks to its solid foundation and sturdy construction techniques employed by ancient architects who designed it keeping in mind factors like topography, climate & availability of resources such as stones & woods.
The Unique lingam in Kedarnath Temple
One of the most interesting features of the Kedarnath Temple is its unique lingam. Devotees believe Lord Shiva himself worship himself here.Unlike other lingams that are made of stone or metal, people believe it to be a natural rock formation in the shape of a lingam.
The lingam at Kedarnath Temple stands at an impressive height of around 3.6 meters and has a circumference of 5.7 meters. It represents the formless nature of Lord Shiva and his infinite power.
Legend has it that when Pandavas were seeking forgiveness from Lord Shiva after their battle with Kauravas, they could not find him anywhere except for in Guptkashi where he was disguised as a bull. However, upon being identified by Bhima, who lifted up the bull before attacking it; Lord Shiva took refuge in an underground cave below Guptkashi where he transformed himself into a naturally formed rock shaped like a phallus or ‘linga’, which can now be seen at Kedarnath.
It’s interesting to note that despite being buried under snow for nearly four centuries between AD 850-1540 (approx.), this unique lingam remained intact and undamaged.
Visitors from all over India come here every year just to get a glimpse and seek blessings from this unique form of Lord Shiva’s representation. The serene surroundings coupled with such fascinating legends make visiting Kedarnath temple even more special!
Idols in Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is not only known for its unique lingam but also for the idols that adorn it. The main idol of Kedarnath is a conical stone which represents Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form. This idol stands at a height of around 3 feet and is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, making it an important pilgrimage site.
Apart from this, there are other idols as well such as Uma Devi, Ganesha, and Nandi which are inside the temple complex. These idols add to the spiritual ambiance of the place and make it even more divine.
The walls of Kedarnath Temple are adorned with various sculptures depicting different mythological stories associated with Lord Shiva. These intricate carvings showcase skilled craftsmanship and have stood the test of time for centuries.
Many devotees visit Kedarnath every year not just to offer their prayers but also to witness these beautiful idols up close. Devotees believe that praying before these sacred idols can bring blessings and fulfillment in life.
Kedarnath Temple houses some magnificent idols that add to its grandeur and significance as a major pilgrimage site in India.
Conclusion
Kedarnath Temple is not just a religious site but also a significant part of Indian history and culture. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in India and attracts thousands of devotees each year. The temple has undergone several renovations over the years, but it still stands tall as a symbol of devotion and faith.
From being buried under snow for centuries to being protected by Bhairo Nath, there are many fascinating facts associated with Kedarnath Temple that make it stand out from other temples in India. Its significance as one of the Chardham destinations makes it an essential part of any spiritual journey in Uttarakhand.
As we end this article, we hope that we have been able to provide you with some interesting insights into Kedarnath Temple. We encourage our readers to visit this holy shrine at least once in their lifetime to experience its unparalleled beauty and spirituality firsthand.
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