Kedarnath
Abode of Lord Shiva

The hot water spring of Gaurikund is one among the holiest sites for Hindus, who come to require a dip in it. it’s believed that taking a dip within the water of the pond will make an individual pure. Surrounded by panoramic views, Gaurikund also is the start line of the famous Kedarnath temple trek. The spring lies at a height of about 6,000 ft within the Garhwal Himalayas. Devotees also visit the Gauri Devi Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati. it’s believed that this was the location where Goddess Parvati had meditated for an extended time to win Lord Shiva as her husband. the world is additionally related to the legend of Lord Ganesha acquiring his elephant head.
Pilgrims trekking to the Kedarnath shrine often take an evening halt at Gaurikund.

One of the char dhams, the Kedarnath Temple welcomes lakhs of devotees per annum . The pilgrims undertake an arduous but devotional journey to succeed in this 3,584-m high shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one among the 12 jyotirlingas (devotional shrines of Lord Shiva) within the country, and is thus considered specially holy. The sanctum sanctorum houses a conical rock formation that’s worshipped as Lord Shiva’s Sadashiva (ever auspicious) form. This 1,000-year-old temple is formed out of giant stone slabs arranged over an oblong platform. There are inscriptions in Pali language on the steps resulting in the sanctum sanctorum. The inner walls have sculptures of varied gods and scenes from Hindu mythology. it’s said that the temple was inbuilt the 8th century by sage Adi Shankaracharya and has undergone several renovations over the years. per annum in November, the idol of Lord Shiva is shifted from the Kedarnath Temple to Ukhimath since the whole temple gets covered in snow during winters. In May, the idol is reinstated in Kedarnath.
There is a stimulating legend behind this religious place. it’s said that Lord Shiva turned himself into a bull to evade the Pandavas once they were trying to find him to hunt atonement for his or her sins after fighting the epic Mahabharata battle. When the Pandavas spotted Lord Shiva, he hid inside the bottom , leaving only the hump visible on the surface of the world .

Lying slightly behind the Kedarnath Temple is that the grave of Adi guru Shankaracharya, the saint who is claimed to possess established the four sacred dhams in India that are a crucial pilgrimage for Hindus. The famous Hindu philosopher had attained nirvana (enlightenment) at a young age of 32. it’s said that Shakaracharya merged with the land itself. Visited by thousands of pilgrims, the Shankaracharya Samadhi is one among the foremost popular tourist attractions in Kedarnath. Legend has it that Shankaracharya came to Kedarnath within the 8th century and built the Kedarnath shrine and established one among his four mathas. A predicament spring believed to possess been created by Shankaracharya is visited by his disciples to urge relief from the acute climate within the area.

This temple is legendary because the site where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. endless flame burning ahead of the temple is claimed to possess been a witness to the present notable wedding. The temple looks tons just like the Kedarnath temple. Its sanctum houses a silver idol of Lord Vishnu, amid idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Badrinarayan, Goddess Sita, Lord Ramachandra and Lord Kubera. The Brahma shila ahead of the temple marks the precise place of the marriage . Three sacred ponds called the Rudra Kund, Vishnu Kund and Brahma Kund also are located within the temple premises. Known for his or her medicinal properties, these ponds source their water from the most Saraswati Kund. it’s believed that the water within the Saraswati Kund springs from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Right outside the Triyuginarayan Temple lies another small shrine dedicated to Panchanama devatas. A 2 km walk from the temple leads you to a cave dedicated to Goddess Gauri. An annual fair is held per annum at the temple during the months of August and September, and may be a vibrant affair.