Kedarnath Dham: Kedarnath is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state in the northern part of India. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the Sri Kedarnath Temple is famous. Kedarnath Dham located in the Himalayan region remains closed for about 6 months and is opened to devotees in summer. Today, on Friday 2 May 2025, at 7:00 am, the kapatas of Lord Kedarnath Dham have been opened with the law and the common devotees.
On the first day, a large number of devotees gathered to see Baba Kedarnath and Akhand Jyot. The history of this abode of Lord Shiva is associated with Nar-Narayan, Pandavas and Adiguru Shankaracharya, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Let’s know some special things related to Kedarnath Dham…
Lord Shiva was pleased with the devotion of Nar-Narayan.
There are many beliefs in relation to Kedarnath Dham. It is written in the Kotirudra Samhita of Shiv Purana that in ancient times, in Badrivan, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation Nara-Narayan used to build the earthly Shivling and worship it daily. Pleased with the devotion of male-Narayan, Lord Shiva appeared here and asked the male-Narayan to ask for a boon. Then Nar-Narayan asked for a boon that Lord Shiva should always stay here, so that other devotees can easily see Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed Nar-Narayan and said, “I will live here and this area will be known as Kedar.”
Another myth related to Pandavas
According to another legend, after the end of the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas wanted to atone for the sin of killing their Kauravas and other brothers. For which he walked towards the Himalayas in search of Lord Shiva. Seeing the Pandavas coming, Lord Shiva became meditated and sat in Kedarnath. When the Pandavas came to know about this, they also reached the Kedarnath mountain.
Seeing the Pandavas, Lord Shiva took the form of buffalo.
When the Pandavas reached the Kedar mountain, Lord Shiva took the form of a buffalo and went among the animals. The Pandavas planned to see Lord Shiva. Then Bhima took a huge form and spread both his legs on the Kedar mountain. All the animals passed through Bhima’s feet, but when Lord Shiva tried to pass through his feet and passed through his feet, Bhima recognized him.
After recognizing Lord Shiva, Bhima tried to catch the buffalo. Bhima immediately caught the back of the buffalo. Lord Shiva was pleased with the devotion of the Pandavas and gave them darshan and freed them from their sins. It is said that since then Lord Shiva is worshiped here as a back of buffalo. It is believed that the buffalo’s mouth originated in Nepal. Where Lord Shiva is worshiped as Pashupatinath.
Adi Shankaracharya renovated the temple.
Swayambhu Shivling is installed in Kedarnath Dham. It is believed that Swayambhu Shivalinga means one who manifests himself. It is said that the Kedarnath temple was built by the Pandava King Janmejaya and later the Adi Guru Shankaracharya renovated this temple.
