Jan 24, 2016 — NEW YORK (SUN) — Excerpts from a pilgrimage guide from the 1970s.
CHAPTER IV
KEDARNATH
THE ABODE OF LORD SHIVA
This famous holy town of Lord Shiva has been situated at a height of 3583 M. above sea-level on a marshy plain, on the slope of Himalayas. This is the place where Lord Shiva's Lingam has been installed in the beautiful temple where the perpetual snow clad exists on the Himalayas and down to the flower-decked Madakini Valley. The story runs that Kedarnath was constructed by Pandavas to atone for their commitment of their sins after the great war of Mahabharat.
On the top of the hill, Bhairava's temple is seen to the south of Kedarnath. The inside walls of Kedarnath temple have been excellently carved with images, the significance of which has been realized by all visitors.
It has a Mandap and Garbh Griha. In the centre of Garbh-Griha there is a rock, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. There is a very large nandi visible in the Mandap. Pradakshins path is worshipped as Lord Shiva and there are many idols and small temples on the outer of this place. The Shiva Pinda is one of the twelve Jyotirlings of Shiva. In the temple morning puja is called Nirwan Darshan and evening puja is called Shingar Darshan. The morning pujas are Shubh Prabhat, Balbhog, Mahabhisek, Rudrabhisek, Ashotar, and Shiva Puja. Evening pujas are Shiva Ashtotar, Shiva Sahasranam, Shiva Namavalik, Shiva Mahiman Stotra and Ekanta Seva.
The opening date of the Temple usually falls during the last week of April and temple closes on the day after Diwali festival. Some pandas of Kedarnath are scholars of Sanskrit, and they live in the villages around Gupta Kashi and Ukhimath. Around the Kedarnath, Hans Kund, Udak Kund, and Ret Kund are most important and have their religious significance. All is bright and beautiful at Kedarnath and with the surrounding areas, Gandhi Sarovar (3/4 Km.), Basuki Lake (5 Km.), Bhaironath Temple (1.5 Km.), and Samadhi of Adiguru Shankaracharya are visible.
It is no wonder that Adiguru Shankaracharya chose to enshrine Lord Shiva in this land, where the unholy become holy and the holy become holier. The Temple of Kedarnath can first be seen 1/2 Km. from Garur Chatti and set in an area of rich grassy land with towering white mountains, mantled with snow in the background. The temple is magnificent in its style and architecture but no historical records found relating to its origin or construction.
PANCH (FIVE) KEDAR
The parts of Shiva's body - hump, arms, face, navel and hair appeared at Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar and Kalpeshwar. These five places are known as Panch Kedar.
1. KEDARNATH:
It is said that Lord Shiva fled here from Banaras to escape the Pandavas and being defeated by them assumed the form of a bull. Lord Shiva gave them darshan and Pandavas worshipped the hump of Lord Shiva at Kedarnath.
2. TUNGNATH:
This famous temple is situated at a height of 3680 M. above sea-level and from here pilgrims can view the peaks of Panch Chuli, Nanda Devi, Dunagiri, Nilkanth, Kedarnath and Bandar Poonch. This place is 30 Km. from Ukhimath and 5 Km. from Chopta.
3. RUDRANATH:
Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Neel Kanth and it is a 20 Km. trek from Gopeshwar. Vaitarini water stream is flowing here.
4. MADMAHESHWAR:
A temple of Lord Shiva is located at great height, which is 30 Km. from Gupta Kashi. It is said that navel of Lord Shiva re-appeared here after disappearing from Kedarnath.
5. KALPESHWAR:
This place is 14 Km. from Joshimath and 9 Km. only by the crossing of Alaknanda at Helang. There is a small rock temple of Lord Shiva and the entrance to this temple is through a cave.
