11.Kedarnath Jyothirlinga

KEDARNATH JYOTHIRLINGA

11.Kedarnath Jyothirlingas



11) Kedarnath Jyotirlinga: It is in Uttaranchal. This is the only jyotirlinga which is not opened through out the year. The temple is opened from May to October every year and you have to go by road only.It is 230Km from Rishikesh and 250Km from Dehradun by road and is at an altitude of 3584M. The temple is built by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century AD. Original temple said to be built by Pandavas. Behind the temple there is samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya. The route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar,Rudraprayaga, Ukhimath and Gowrikhund.There is another route via Utter Kasi and gangotri.

Ukhimath is the place where priests offer prayers for six months when the temple is closed during the winter season.

Sthala Purana :In one of Vishnu's incarnations, he revealed himself as the two sages, Nara and Narayana. These two sages prayed for a long time in the hermitage known as vadrikashrama. Near this hermitage there was a peak of the Himalayas named Kedara.

After the two sages had prayed to Shiva for a very long time, Shiva appeared and said, I don't understand why the two of you worshipping me. It is you who should be worshipped. But since you have been praying to me, let me grant you a boon.

Nara and Narayana desred that Shiva should always be present in the form of a linga on the peak Kedara.

Nearest railway station : Rishikesh