Kedarnath Temple: Legends, Opening Date 2022 & Fun Facts

Kedarnath Temple has one of the most beautiful and interesting architectures. Take a look!

what is mystery of kedarnath temple
what is mystery of kedarnath temple

One of the most famous and oldest Hindu temples in India is Kedarnath Temple. Located amid the Garhwal Himalayan range, it is a part of Char Dham Yatra (major Hindu Pilgrimages). It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and opens around Akshaya Tritiya. The extreme weather conditions make it difficult for the temple to remain open throughout the year.

Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2022

lord shiva kedarnath temple

The gates or kapat of Shri Kedarnath Temple will open on May 8. Devotees can plan their pilgrimage to Badrinath and Kedarnath in the forthcoming week. You will experience profound beauty in the spiritual environment.

How To Reach Kedarnath Temple?

Can we go to Kedarnath by car? There is no direct way to reach Kedarnath Temple, not by road. People often use a private or public vehicle to reach Sonprayag. From Gauri Kund, only 5km from Sonprayag, you can either trek or use horses, palkis and coolies to reach the temple.

Which is the best time to go to Kedarnath Temple? Since the weather conditions are extreme at Kedarnath, the best time to visit the temple is between May and June. Some even visit between September to October. However, you must stay away from the trek during monsoon season becauseit becomes slippery and dangerous.

Legend Behind Kedarnath Temple

legend of kedarnath temple

There is an interesting tale about Kedarnath in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata. According to popular beliefs, when Pandavas were seeking penance for their sins of killing their blood, they wanted to please Lord Shiva.

However, God had other plans, and disguised as a bull, he appeared on the earth and started to roam around Garhwal Himalayas (hill stations near Delhi). When Pandavas found that the bull was actually Lord Shiva, the Deity disappeared into the ground. Bhima, one of the five brothers, could only get the hold of the hump of the bull.

Hence, Lord Shiva reappeared in the form of the hump in Kedarnath, face in Rudranath, hair in Kalpeshwar, arms in Tungnath and stomach in Madhyamaheshwar. Pandavas built temples in all these five places to repent for their sins.

Interesting Facts About Kedarnath Temple

One Of 12 Jyotirlingas

Is Kedarnath a Jyotirlinga? Kedarnath is not only among the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva, but it is also the highest one. According to many tales, the temple is more than 1,200 years old.

The height of the temple is located about 3,583m high from Rishikesh. On which river Kedarnath temple is situated? The temple is situated on the banks of Mandakini River, a tributary of Ganga, and Saraswati River.

Unique Architecture

location of kedarnath temple

What is the architectural style of Kedarnath Temple? With three different horizontal divisions, the temple boasts a Rekha-Sikhara style of architecture. Most temples in India exist facing either east or west direction. However, the Kedarnath temple has a north-south orientation.

Speaking about the damage during the calamity of 2013, B.R. Mani, Additional Director General at Archaeological Survey Of India, told IANS, “The domes of the temple are interlocked with each other using iron clamps; that is why they are intact. Only loose and cracked stones of the temple have come out.”

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Mystery Of The Temple

What is the mystery of Kedarnath Temple? There are many tales surrounding Kedarnath Temple. When the gates of Kedarnath are closed, the inside premise of the temple is decorated with flowers, and they lit diyas. However, many priests have reported that when they open the gates after six months, they find the premise clean and diyas still burning.

Many religious scholars say that the shrine remained protected during the flood calamity of 2013 because Lord Shiva has blessed it. However, other scientists argue about the thousands of deaths around the temple and many dead bodies found inside the temple.

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What is the secret of Kedarnath temple? Many people believe that a big rock behind the temple was responsible for diverting the floodwater of 2013. They say that it protected the temple from significant damage. Many even suggest the rock was strategically placed by the people who built it. They thought of the future and natural calamities. Therefore, they placed the rock to protect the temple.

Stay tuned with HerZindagi for more such stories.

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