The Himalayan Abode of Lord Shiva
Uttarakhand | Altitude: 3,583 meters (11,755 ft)
Altitude
3,583 m
Trek
16 km from Gaurikund
Open
May - October
Darshan
4 AM - 9 PM
Kedarnath is the most challenging and spiritually significant Jyotirlinga pilgrimage. After the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva's forgiveness for killing their cousins and guru. Shiva, unwilling to meet them, hid in the Himalayas as a bull.
When found, Shiva dove into the earth. Bhima grabbed the bull's hump, which remained at Kedarnath while other body parts appeared elsewhere - face at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, navel at Madhyamaheshwar, and hair at Kalpeshwar. Together these form the Panch Kedar.
The current temple structure dates to the 8th century, restored by Adi Shankaracharya. Behind the temple is his samadhi (final resting place). The temple miraculously survived the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods when a large boulder diverted flood waters around it.
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (250 km). Taxi to Gaurikund (8-10 hours) or helicopter from Phata/Guptkashi.
Rishikesh/Haridwar stations. Then bus/taxi via Rudraprayag to Gaurikund (200 km, 8 hrs).
Delhi-Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Gaurikund. GMOU buses and shared taxis available. Book in advance during season.
Hump of Shiva (this temple)
Arms - Highest Shiva temple (3,680m)
Face - Most difficult trek
Navel - Beautiful meadows
Hair/Jata - Only open year-round
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