KedarNath-Temple

KEDARNATH Shrine TEMPLE:-
Kedarnath Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to the god Shiva and is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river in Kedarnath,Uttarakhand in India.Due to extreme weather conditions,the temoles is open only between the end of april (Akshaya Tririya)to kartik Purnima every year .During the winters ,the dieties from kedarnath temple are brought to ukhimath and worshipped there for six months.Lord shiva is worshipped as kedarnath,the 'lord of kedar khand',the historical name of region.

According to the hindu epics during the mahabharta war ,the pandavas killed their relatives;in order to absolve themselves of this sin ,the pandavas undertook a pilgrimage.But lord Vishweshwara was away in kailasa in the Himalayas.On learning this ,the Pandavas left kasi.They reached the Himalayas via Haridwar.They saw Lord shiva from a distance.But Lord Shiva left from them.Then Dharamraj Udhistar said"oh.lord,you have hidden yourself from us,because we have sinned .But we will reached to you somehow.Only after we take your Darshan would our sins be wished away.This place,where you have hidden yourself will be known as Guptakashi and become a famous shrine."
From Guptakashi(Rudraprayag),the pandavas went ahead till they reached Gaurikund in the Himalayas valley.They wandered there in search of lord shiva.While doing so nakul and sahadev found a he-buffalo which was unique to look at.Then Bheema went after the Buffalo with his mace.The Buffalo had its face hidden in a crevice-in the earth.Bheema started to pull it by its tail.In this tug-of war ,the face of the buffalo went straight to nepal,leaving its hind part in kedar.The face of the buffalo is Doleshwar Mahadev located in Siptol,Bhaktpur Nepal.

On this hind part of Mahesha,a Jyotirlinga appeared and Lord Sankara appeared from this light.By getting a Darshan of Lord Shiva ,the pandavas were absolved of their sins.The lord told the pandavas,"from now on ,I will remain here as a triangular shaped JyotirLinga.By taking Darshan of kedarnath ,devotees would attain piety".The triangular shaped rock is worshipped in Garbhagriha of the temple.Surrounding Kedarnath,there are many symbols of the Pandavas.Raja Pandu died at Pandukeshwar.The tribals here perform a dance called"Pandav Nritya".The mountain top where the Pandavas went to Swarga,is known as "Swargarohini",which is located off Badrinath.When Darmaraja was leaving for Swarga,one of his fingers fellon the earth.At that place,Dharmraj installed a shiva Linga,which is the size of the thumb.The gain Mahisharupa,Shankra and Bheema fought with maces.Bheema was stuck with remorse.He started to massage lord shiva's body with ghee.In memory of this event ,even today ,this triangular shiva JyotirLinga is massaged with ghee.Water and Bel leaves are used for worship.
When Nara-Narayan went to Badrika village and started the worship of Parthiva,Shiva appeared before them.Nara-Narayan wished that for the welfare of the humanity,Shiva should remain there in his original form .Granting their wish,in the snow-clad Himalayas,In a place called Kedar,mahesha himself stayed there as a jyoti.Here,He is known as Kedareshwara.
Opening Date of Kedarnath Temple 2014:
Every year the opening date of kedarnath temple is decided on the Maha ShivRatri festival, by the local priest of Ukhimath. Maha ShivRatri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. This year ShivRatri was celebrated on 27 February. in this day a group of local priest decided to reveal the date for opening kedarnath temple door according to their Panchang (Hindu Calendar).
according to local priest Panchang calculation and their consent with Badrianth-Kedarnath Temple Committee, it is officially announced the opening date of kedarnath temple is 4th may 2014.closing date of kedarnath temple is also decided on the same day. Kedarnath shrine will be closed on the day of Bhaiya Duj Festvial (The day after Deepawali festival). This year Bhaiya Duj is celebrating on 25th October 2014. hence Kedarnath temple will closed on 25th October 2014.
This year, its not seems enthusiastic in locals areas as of the last year thousand of pilgrims and local people were lost their lives and worth in Devastation. may God rest in peace all soul. from Gaurikund To kedarnath,the necessary facilities are partially restored.although roads and Trek is not in a well condition in the valley .

Posted in: badrinath temple,chardham,gow to reach kedarnath,history of kedarnath temple,kedarnath shrine,kedarnath temple