Kedar Nath Temple is located in the Himalayas approx 12000ft above sea level near the head of river Mandakini and is flanked by breathtaking snow-capped peaks.
Kedar Nath or Kedar Khand is
named in honour of King Kedar, who ruled the area in the Mahabharata
Era when the Pandavas are
supposed to have pleased Lord Shiva
by doing penance there.
The temple opens
on Akshay Tritiya (April
/ May) and closes on Bhai Duj (October
/ November) due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather during winter.
The head priest (Rawal) of the Kedarnath
temple belongs to the Veerashaiva community from Karnataka. However, unlike in
Badrinath temple, the Rawal of Kedarnath temple does not perform the puja. The
pujas are carried out by Rawal's assistants on his instructions. The Rawal
moves along with the deity to Ukhimath during the winter season.
Kedarnath can be
reached from Hardwar-Rishikesh-Rudraprayag -Guptkashi–Gaurikund &
thereafter a tough & steep trek of approx 14 kms. Helicopter services are
available from Guptkashi.
On this route there are several places of pilgrimage
such as Agastyamuni, Ukhimath, Phauli- Pasalat Devi Maa, Bamsu (Lamgoundi)
Vanasur, Maa Kali at Kalimath,
Trijugi Narayan- where Lord Shiva got married to Parwati, and Kashi Vishwanath at Guptakashi.
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