Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered and most visited pilgrimage places in India. This centre of pilgrimage was established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya in 9th century. Situated at an altitude of 3,580 m (11,750 ft) within the picturesque Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, this renowned Hindu pilgrimage destination in the high Himalaya Mountains is devoted to Lord Shiva. The present structure of Kedarnath temple is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. Kedarnath is one the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva.Location
The Kedarnath Temple is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is very close to the Indo-China border and River Mandakini originates from the Kedarnath Mountains. It can be reached from Rishikesh (234 km) and Dehradun (250 km).Best Time To Visit
The temple opens in the first week of May and closes either in the last week of October or early November. Monsoon months should be avoided. The months of May-June are the busiest time of the year. During the closure period of the temple, worship of Sri Kedarnath is continued at Okhimath in winter by the priest from the Kedarnath Temple.
The temple opens in the first week of May and closes either in the last week of October or early November. Monsoon months should be avoided. The months of May-June are the busiest time of the year. During the closure period of the temple, worship of Sri Kedarnath is continued at Okhimath in winter by the priest from the Kedarnath Temple.
Legends
There are many stories associated with the manifestation and worship of Kedarnath. According to one legend, Nar and Narayan, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu did severe penance at Badrikashram in front of a Shiva lingam to please lord Shiva. So when lord Shiva gave them ‘Darshan’ they requested him to make Kedarnath his permanent abode. Fulfilling their wish he manifested himself in the form of a Jyotirlinga there.The second legend is of the Panch Kedar. When Arjuna and the Pandavas used the ‘Pashupatra’ weapon to kill their kins turned mortal enemies, they felt guilty and sought advice from Lord Krishna.
There are many stories associated with the manifestation and worship of Kedarnath. According to one legend, Nar and Narayan, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu did severe penance at Badrikashram in front of a Shiva lingam to please lord Shiva. So when lord Shiva gave them ‘Darshan’ they requested him to make Kedarnath his permanent abode. Fulfilling their wish he manifested himself in the form of a Jyotirlinga there.The second legend is of the Panch Kedar. When Arjuna and the Pandavas used the ‘Pashupatra’ weapon to kill their kins turned mortal enemies, they felt guilty and sought advice from Lord Krishna.
He suggested them to search lord Shiva in the Garhwal region. Lord Shiva however turned into a Bull to avoid detection. Nevertheless, after a long search the Pandavas found him but Shiva sank into the earth but not before Bhim could grab his (bull’s) hump. Shiva relented and granted them the boon of salvation from their sins. This hump is now hypothetically the Shiva lingam worshipped in the temple.
Read more: http://allinone-india.com/kedarnath-temple/
No comments:
Post a Comment