Panch Kedar: Unraveling the Sacred Saga of Five Revered Shiva Temples

 Panch Kedar: Unraveling the Sacred Saga of Five Revered Shiva Temples

PANCH KEDAR HISTORY: 

    The history of Panch Kedar is linked to the heroes of Kurukshetra War, Pandavas. We all know that Pandavas fight with their cousins and kins to uphold Dharma. They want to get liberated from the sins that they did in the war by killing their cousins that is Fratricide and Brahmins, Brahmanhatya. After handing over the reins of their kingdom, they left in search of Lord Shiva so that they can get liberated from their sins.

Kedarnath Temple, Where Pandavas attained their Salvation

     Pandavas went to Varanasi as it is Mahadev's favourite city and it is known for Shiva temples. But Mahadev was very saddened due to deaths and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war and he wanted to avoid them. That's why he became insensitive to Pandavas Prayers. Further it is mentioned in the legends that to avoid Pandavas Lord Shiva took form of a bull and hide in the Garhwal region. When Pandavas did not find Lord Shiva in Varanasi, they went to Garhawal region to find Shiva. Bhima was observing a herd of bulls grazing in Guptakashi, he identified one of the bull as Shiva and went near him.

 

    When Lord Shiva tried to disappeared in the ground, Bhima hold him by his tail that's why Shiva reappear in five different places and those places are known as Panch Kedar. When Lord Shiva in the form of bull tried to disappeared in the ground, his Hump raised in Kedarnath, Arms in Tunganath, Nabhi in Madhyamaheswar, the Face appeared in Rudranath and Hairs in Kalpeshwar.

    The Pandavas built temples in all five places and after that they meditated in Kedarnath for salvation and performed Yagna and then through the heavenly path called Mahapanth, they attained Salvation.

Panch Kedar Temples in Present time

    Panch kedar temples were built Himalayan temple architecture and Kedarnath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheswar have similar designs. 

Aerial view of Kedarnath, Most important temple of Panch Kedar

    Except Kedarnath and Tungnath, the Priests and Pundits of all three temples are from South India. Jangamas from Chitrakal in Mysore are the chief priests at the Madhyamaheswar Temple. Dasnami Gosains are the chief priests in Rudranath and Kalpeshwar temples. 

    The Purohits of Kedarnath are ancients Brahmins from the region of Himalaya, who were given worship rights by King Janmejaya, grandson of Pandavas. After Pandavas attained salvation from Kedarnath temple. 

Kedarnath Temple

    Tungnath temple is the highest Lord Shiva temple in the world at an altitude of 3680m or 12070ft. Kedarnath is the most important temple which is also a part of Chota Char Dham. Other three temples of Chota Char Dham temples are Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

       

Highest temple of Lord Shiva in the world Tunganath

        Panch Kedar is open from April to October in which best time to visit is April, May , September and October. Only Kalpeshwar Mahadev temple is open throughout the year among Panch Kedar temples. 

    Kedarnath is almost 240 km from Rudraprayag. Till Rudraprayag anybody can get a bus or partial Bus and partial Train. After reaching Gaurikund which is almost 230 km from Rudraprayag, a 14km trek will lead you to Lord Shiva. The Visuals of Kedarnath for first time visitors is better than heaven.

    I will Post about each temple of Panch Kedar, Chota Char Dham in different blogs to get more clarity and route from Delhi to particular temple will be given in upcoming blogs. Please do Share my Blog and if you like it you can leave a comment.