Kedārnāth

Kedārnāth, at approximately 3,583 metres in the Garhwāl Himalayas, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Śiva, the highest of them, and the first of the Pañc Kedār pilgrimage sites.

Significance

Kedārnāth is the principal Jyotirlinga of the Himalayan region and is believed to be the place where the hump of Śiva’s bull form emerged from the earth. The temple is one of the four sites of the Chota Char Dhām pilgrimage in the Uttarakhand Himālayas and holds immense sanctity in Śaiva tradition.

History

According to the Mahābhārata, the Pāṇḍavas sought Śiva’s forgiveness after the Kurukṣetra war, and Śiva evaded them by taking the form of a bull and diving into the earth. The temple is traditionally attributed to Ādi Śaṅkarācārya, though it may predate his period. The temple was severely damaged in the 2013 floods but the main structure survived.

Key features

The temple is constructed of massive stone slabs without the use of mortar. The inner sanctum houses the conical Śivaliṅga. The surrounding peaks include Kedārnāth Peak (6,940 m) and the Chorabāri Glacier. The Vāsukitalā and Gaurikund are associated sites.

Modern status

Kedārnāth is an isolated settlement in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, accessible only during the summer months (typically April–November, with the deity moved to Ukhimath for the winter). The temple is managed by the Kedarnath Badrinath Temple Trust. Extensive reconstruction has been undertaken after the 2013 floods.

Verification notes

Status verified against Mahābhārata references, Śaiva Purāṇas, and Uttarakhand government records. Post-flood reconstruction is documented by the state disaster management authority.

• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).