|
Go
to temples home
Go to Uttarakhand temple
home page
Kedarnath Temple (mandir)
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered and most visited pilgrimage
locations 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 famend Hindu
pilgrimage destination in the high Himalaya Mountains is devoted to Lord Shiva.
The current structure of Kedarnath temple (mandir) is supposed to be more than
1,000 years old. Kedarnath is one the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva.
Finest Time To Visit
The temple (mandir) opens in the first week of May and closes either in the
final week of October or early November. Monsoon months needs to be avoided. The
months of Could-June are the busiest time of the year. Through the closure
interval of the temple, worship of Sri Kedarnath is sustained at Okhimath in
winter by the priest from the Kedarnath Temple (mandir).
Mythology
There are numerous tales related to the manifestation and worship of Kedarnath.
In keeping with one legend, Nar and Narayan, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu did
extreme 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 themself within 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 shatru, they felt guilty
and sought advice from Lord Krishna. He suggested them to go looking lord Shiva
within the Garhwal region. Lord Shiva nevertheless was a Bull to keep away from
detection. Nevertheless, after a long search the Pandavas found him however
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.
Temple (mandir) Architecture
The Kedarnath temple (mandir), situated at a height of 11,750 ft, was recognized
by Sage Adi Shankaracharya near the site of a gaggle of ancient mandir built by
the Pandavas. The unique thing on this temple (mandir) is the enterance gate,
which faces south. It's fairly shocking since every Hindu temple (mandir) must
face east according to the ‘divine’ architectural guidelines. The whole temple
(mandir) is made up of extraordinarily giant, heavy and evenly minimize grey
slabs of stones. The entrance of the temple (mandir) has a conical lingam- the
principle idol, a statue of Nandi - the celestial bull of Shiva, a 'Garbha Griha'
for worship and a Mandap for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors.
The conical lingam is the type of Sadashiv incarnation of Lord Shiva and is
about 9 ft long, three feet vast and four ft high. The temple complex also has
idol and pictures of Goddess Parvati, God Ganesha, Laxmi - Narayana, Lord
Krishna, the Pandavas (together with Draupadi) and Kunti. The statue of Nandi
guards the temple (mandir) doors outside. This protected haven for gods is made
inside an undecorated curved tower with a timber roof and the façade displays
bands of bent adornments and decorated alcoves.
|
