High in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, on the banks of the Mandakini river, stands Kedarnath, one of the most revered of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is also part of the Chota Char Dham circuit, making it one of the rare shrines to hold both distinctions.
FACT: THE BOULDER THAT SAVED THE TEMPLE
In the devastating Uttarakhand floods that struck this region in recent years, walls of water and debris tore through the Kedarnath valley, destroying almost everything around the temple. Yet the ancient temple itself remained standing. Devotees and geologists alike point to a massive boulder that got lodged just behind the temple, splitting the flood waters and debris around it and sparing the main structure. Pilgrims still visit this rock today, calling it the Bhim Shila, the rock of Bhima.
हिमालये तु केदारं घुश्मेशं च शिवालये
Transliteration: Himalaye tu Kedaram, Ghushmesham cha Shivalaye
Meaning: In the Himalayas resides Kedarnath, and at Shivalaya resides Ghushmeshwar (Grishneshwar).
Source: Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, from the Shiva Purana tradition
The Story of Kedarnath
MYTH: THE BULL THAT WOULD NOT BE CAUGHT
After the great war of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas were troubled by the sin of killing their own kinsmen on the battlefield. Seeking forgiveness, they went in search of Lord Shiva. But Shiva, wishing to test their resolve, avoided them by taking the form of a bull and hiding among the herds near this region. When Bhima recognised the bull among the others, Shiva tried to vanish into the earth.
Bhima managed to hold onto the hump of the bull before it fully disappeared. This hump remained at Kedarnath, while the other parts of the divine bull are said to have appeared at four other shrines in the region, together forming the Panch Kedar, the five Kedars.
A Resting Place for a Great Philosopher
Just behind the Kedarnath temple lies a small memorial known as the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi. Tradition holds that after spreading his teachings across India and organising the Char Dham and the Jyotirlingas, Adi Shankaracharya came to Kedarnath in his final days and attained his Samadhi, his final union with the divine, at this very spot.
FACT: A TEMPLE THAT OPENS FOR ONLY HALF THE YEAR
Because of extreme snowfall, Kedarnath temple is open to pilgrims for only about six months a year, from Akshaya Tritiya in April or May until Bhai Dooj in October or November. During winter, the deity's ceremonial image is carried down to Ukhimath, where worship continues until the temple reopens.
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Transliteration: Om Namah Shivaya
Meaning: Salutations to Shiva. This is the Panchakshara Mantra, the five-syllabled mantra of Lord Shiva (Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Ya), chanted by pilgrims at every Jyotirlinga as a simple, complete offering of devotion.
Source: Panchakshara Mantra, found in the Sri Rudram of the Yajurveda and repeated throughout the Shiva Purana
How to Reach Kedarnath
- The temple is reached by a trek of about 16 to 18 kilometres from Gaurikund.
- Pony, palanquin and porter services are available along the entire route.
- Helicopter services operate from Phata, Sersi and Guptkashi for those who cannot undertake the trek on foot.
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Detail |
Information |
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Location |
Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand |
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Altitude |
About 3,583 metres above sea level |
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River |
Mandakini |
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Open Season |
Akshaya Tritiya (April or May) to Bhai Dooj (October or November) |
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Trek Distance |
16 to 18 km from Gaurikund |
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Best Time to Visit |
May, June, and September (avoid peak monsoon) |
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Wheelchair Access |
Not available on the trek route; helicopter or palanquin recommended for elderly pilgrims |
Estimated Cost for a 2-Night Stay (Per Person)
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Expense |
Approximate Cost |
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Guesthouse or dharamshala at Gaurikund or Sonprayag |
Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,200 per night |
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Pony or palanquin one way |
Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 6,000 |
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Helicopter ticket one way (per person) |
Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 8,000, subject to change |
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Meals along the route |
Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per day |
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Porter for luggage |
Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,500 per trip |
What Else Can You See Nearby
- Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi - just behind the main temple.
- Bhairav Nath Temple - guardian deity of Kedarnath, a short walk from the main shrine.
- Vasuki Tal - a high-altitude lake with a further trek for the more adventurous.
- Gaurikund - the base point with hot water springs dedicated to Goddess Parvati.
TIP FOR SENIOR PILGRIMS
The altitude and cold can be demanding even in summer. A medical check-up before the journey is strongly recommended. Helicopter darshan is the safer and more comfortable option for elderly pilgrims, and advance booking is essential.
CLOSING MYTH: THE BULL THAT BECAME A MOUNTAIN
Devotees believe the very shape of the hill behind the Kedarnath temple resembles the hump of Shiva's divine bull form. Even today, pilgrims say a prayer here not just to Shiva, but in gratitude to Bhima, whose grip on the vanishing bull gave the world this sacred shrine.