The temple of Kedarnath is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttarakhand, India.
It is one of the Char Dham, a group of four holy pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,583 metres (11,755 feet) above sea level near the Mandakini River in the Garhwal region.
The Kedarnath distance can vary depending on the starting point of your journey. One common starting point is the city of Delhi, which is a major transportation hub in India. The approximate distance from Delhi to Kedarnath is around 400 to 450 kilometres (about 249 to 280 miles) by road.
The Haridwar to Kedarnath distance is approximately 125 kilometres (about 78 miles). However, please note that there are no direct roads to Kedarnath from Haridwar; you will have to travel to a place called Gaurikund, which is the last motorable point, and then proceed to Kedarnath on foot or by other means.
History:
The history of the Kedarnath Temple dates back over a thousand years. According to Hindu mythology, the temple is associated with the Pandavas, the legendary heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata. After the great Kurukshetra War, the Pandavas sought redemption for killing their own kin and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to absolve their sins. However, Lord Shiva was not willing to meet them and took the form of a bull (Nandi) to hide from them. The Pandavas managed to find Lord Shiva, and upon being discovered, he dived into the ground, leaving behind his hump. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the Kedarnath shrine.
The temple is believed to have been originally constructed by the Pandavas and later restructured by Adi Shankaracharya, an influential 8th-century philosopher and theologian, who is credited with establishing several Hindu monastic centres across India. He played a significant role in reviving and consolidating various Hindu practices and temples.
Architectural Design:
The Kedarnath Temple showcases classic North Indian temple architecture. The structure is constructed using large, roughly-hewn stone slabs and timbers, in keeping with the traditional style of the region. The temple's design incorporates a sturdy stone base to withstand harsh mountain weather and seismic activity.
The temple's primary deity is a lingam, a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva, which is enshrined in the main sanctum. The lingam is a naturally-formed rock, and it is not carved artificially like in many other temples.
The exteriors of the temple feature intricate carvings and sculptures, predominantly depicting various mythological figures and motifs. However, over the centuries, the temple has undergone numerous repairs and renovations due to damage caused by natural disasters, including earthquakes and snowstorms.
Despite its remote location and challenging terrain, the Kedarnath Temple attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year, especially during the temple's opening season from late April or early May to Diwali (October/November).
Conclusion:
Pilgrims from all over India and abroad undertake the challenging journey to seek blessings at the Temple of Kedarnath, considering it a spiritually rewarding and life-changing experience. An array of great packages awaits you for the Kedarnath pilgrimage tour. One of them is the Kedarnath from Haridwar deal mostly preferred by people close to Haridwar region in Uttarakhand, India. The natural beauty of the region and the religious significance of the temple make it a revered destination for devotees of Lord Shiva.