Today’s article is based on the Kedarnath temple. In this article, we will give you information related to the history of the Kedarnath temple and other important things. Whenever the name of pilgrimage places of India is taken, the name of Kedarnath Dham is mainly taken in it.
Kedarnath temple is a symbol of mythological eternal civilization and culture and the site holds great importance in Hinduism. The faith of Hindus is attached to the Kedarnath temple. In this article, you will get to know the history of the Kedarnath temple and other things related to it.
Where is Kedarnath Temple?
Kedarnath temple is popular in Hindu Religion and this temple is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state of India. Kedarnath Temple is included in the 12 Jyotirlinga located in the lap of the Himalaya Mountains. This temple has been constructed in the Katyuri style and its builder is the Pandava dynasty Janmejaya. The Kedarnath temple was built in the Dwapar Era. The Swayambhu Shivling situated in this temple is very popular and Ancient.
Facts about this Temple
Talking about the history of the Kedarnath temple, this temple is very ancient, and According to scholars and sages, this temple was built in the 80th century during the Dwapar Era.
There are mountains of snow around this temple. Kedarnath temple is mainly considered to be the main abode of the confluence of five rivers. These rivers are Mandakini, Madhuganga, Kshirganga, Saraswati, and Swarna Gauri.
There are beliefs that Brahmins worship this self-born Shivling from the time of Guru Shankaracharya.
In front of the Kedarnath temple, there is a Dharamsala for the priests of the temple and for the hosts and pilgrims. There is a building around the temple for the chief priest of the temple.
Construction and Architecture of Kedarnath Dham
In the main part of the temple, there is a mandapa and circumambulation path around the way. Nandi is enshrined in the form of a bull vehicle on the exterior of the temple. Shri Kedareshwar Swayambhu Jyotirlinga is situated in the central part of the temple, on the front part of which is the image of Lord Ganesha and the yantra of Mother Parvati. On the upper part of the Jyotirlinga, a natural crystal garland is enshrined. There are four big pillars around Shri Kedarnath Jyotirlinga and these four pillars are considered to be the basis of the four Vedas.
The roof of the temple rests on these huge four pillars. There is a monolithic lamp in the western part of the Jyotirlinga and the light of its light has been maintaining the faith of the temple for thousand years. The temple’s priests have been maintaining the light of this monolithic lamp for years so that the light of this monolithic lamp always maintains its light in the part of the temple and in the entire Kedarnath Dham. Beautiful and attractive flower motifs have been engraved by handicrafts on the walls of the temple.
The mythological story of Kedarnath Temple
It is said that the historical basis for the establishment of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga was formed when one day the incarnations of Lord Vishnu and Great Ascetic Nar and Narayan were meditating on the Kedar Shringa of the Himalayas. Lord Shankar was pleased with his penance and appeared to him and as a result of his prayer, blessed him that he would always reside here in the form of Jyotirlinga.
Pandav Story
On the exterior of the Kedarnath temple, Nandi Bull is situated as the vehicle. The basis for the establishment of the temple was formed when the Pandavas wanted to go to Lord Shankar for victory and freedom from the sin of killing their brother during the war of Mahabharata in Dwapar Yuga. As a result, he wanted to go to Lord Shankar and get his blessings, but Lord Shankar was angry with him.
Pandavas reached Kashi to see Lord Shankar but Lord Shankar did not give them darshan there. After this, the Pandavas decided to go to the Himalayas and reached the Himalayas, but Lord Shankar did not want to give darshan to the Pandavas, So Lord Shankar disappeared from there and resided in Kedar. Pandavas also reached Kedar looking for Lord Shankar in solidarity and diligently to get the blessings of Lord Shankar.
Lord Shankar had taken the form of a bull after reaching Kedar. A lot of bulls were present on Kedar. The Pandavas had some doubt, that’s why Bhima assumed his huge form and placed his feet on two mountains, being frightened by this form of Bhima, the bull started running from under Bhima’s foot through both the feet, but a bull was not ready to go under Bhima’s feet.
Bhima started dominating the bull by force, but the bull slowly disappeared and started joining the land. But Bhima caught the part of the triangular back of the bull. Lord Shankar was pleased with this determination and solidarity of the Pandavas and immediately appeared to them. Lord Shankar blessed him with the boon of freedom from sins. Since then Lord Shankar is worshiped in the form of a Nandi bull.
Why Kedarnath is called Panch Kedar?
It is believed that when Lord Shankar Nandi appeared in the form of a bull. The upper part of his torso appeared in Kathmandu, and now the famous temple of Pashupatinath is established there. The arms of Lord Shiva appeared in Tungnath. the face of Lord Shiva in Rudranath, the navel in Madamdeshwar, and the hair of Lord Shankar in Kalpeshwar. As a result of these characteristics, Shri Kedarnath is also called Panchkedar.