Panch Kedar
Panch Kedar (पंच केदार) is a pilgrimage circuit of five sacred Shiva temples in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
Overview
The Panch Kedar comprises five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar. According to legend, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. Shiva hid as a bull and dove underground, and his body parts appeared at five different locations, forming the Panch Kedar.
History and Legend
The Pandavas, guilt-stricken after the Kurukshetra war, sought Shiva’s darshan. Shiva evaded them by taking the form of a bull. When Bhima tried to catch him, Shiva sank into the ground, leaving his hump at Kedarnath, arms at Tungnath, face at Rudranath, navel at Madhyamaheshwar, and hair at Kalpeshwar. The temples were established at these five locations.
Architecture and Features
Kedarnath is the most famous, situated at 3,583 meters with a stone temple. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 meters. Rudranath features a natural rock-face shrine. Madhyamaheshwar has a Chaturmukha Lingam. Kalpeshwar is a cave temple. The architecture ranges from stone temples to natural rock formations.
Modern Status
The Panch Kedar Yatra is a major pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is accessible by helicopter, while others require trekking. The temples are open from May to November, depending on snowfall. The circuit attracts thousands of devotees annually.
Verification Notes
- Panch Kedar documented as five Shiva temples in Garhwal Himalayas.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).