11 Lesser Known but Interesting facts About Kedarnath Temple
The great mountain range of the Himalayas is known for some of the most auspicious and unique religious places of the Sanatan Dharma or Hindu Dharma. One of them is the Kedarnath temple. Tucked away in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas at the height of 11700 feet, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
The place stores a plethora of mysteries and interesting facts. Here are some lesser known but quite Interesting facts About Kedarnath Temple.
It is the main religious place of the ChardhamYatra. Kedarnath is called the Shivlok on earth, i.e., The land of Bhagwan Shiva on the earth. Being part of the most sacred 12 temples of Bhagwan Shiva or Jyotirlingas; it is important and special. The Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra is different from the main Chardham Yatra.
Eternally protected by the Divine!
People believe that the temple of Kedarnath is so sacred that Bhagwan Shiva himself protects the premises. It was evident in the year 2013 when massive floods and landslides happened during the monsoon. There was great destruction happened in the valley, but a gigantic bolder stood behind the temple and the debris and water flow changed the path. It is one of the Unknown facts of the Kedarnath Temple.
Thus, the temple was miraculously saved from the floods.
No head statue of Lord Shiva in Kedarnath
The main idol or ‘Murti’ of Kedarnath is a Shivs idol, but it is without the head. There is a legend associated with the idol. Bhagwan Shiva took the form of a bull when Pandavas were searching for him. While their journey to Uttarakhand, Nakul and Sahdev hit the bull. The head of the bull fell apart and the hind remain in Kedarnath. The knot of the head fell at Kalpeshwar, face at Rudraprayag, and arms in Tungnath.
Therefore, these five places are called PanchKedar or Five Kedars.
Bhairo Nath Ji is consistently on the gatekeeper
BhairoNath or Bhairav is the main protector and gatekeeper of Kedarnath. Bhairav is the RudraAvtar (fearful incarnation) of Bhagavan Shiva. He is called the ‘Kshetrapal” or Guard of the region.
The Bhairav temple is located south of the Kedarnath temple. Every devotee, who visits the Kedarnath temple has to mandatorily visit the Bhairav temple. The Kedarnath Tour is incomplete without that.
An excellent pyramid lingam
Usually, in a Shiva temple, you find an oval-shaped “Shivlinga”. But one of the Interesting facts About Kedarnath Temple is that there is a pyramid-shaped shivlinga here. It is said that Bhagwan Shiva took the form of a bull to hide when Pandavas was searching for him.
When Pandavas found the bull, Bhima grabbed the bull. The head of the bull fall apart and only the hind remained in Kedarnath.
This hind transformed into the triangular, pyramid-shaped Shivlinga,
A sanctuary, however a piece of PanchKedar
Kedarnath temple is the part of the PanchKedar or Five Kedar. When one decides to go on a pilgrimage, he has to follow a particular chronological order to make the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra complete.
First, they have to go to Kedarnath. Then, Tunganath, Rudranath, MadhyaMaheshwar, and then Kalpeshwar. This is the sequence.
Tunganath represents the hands of Bhagwan Shiva. Rudranath represents his face. MadhyaMaheshwar represents his stomach and navel part. Kalpeshwar represents his head.
Two idols of Kedarnath
It is among the Lesser Known Facts about Kedarnath that there are two different idols or “Murti” in the Kedarnath temple. One is called “BhogMurti” and the other is called “Panchmukhi Murti”. The Bhog Murti is worshipped is kept at the priest. The Panchmukhi Murti has five faces- Aghor, Satjyot, Ishaan, Tatpurush, and Vamdev. There is a sheshnaga at the rear of the murti.
The highest of all 12 Jyotirlingas
The Kedarnath temple is located at the height of 3500 meters. It is the highest of 12 Jyotirlingas or the most important 12 temples of Bhagwan Shiva across India. That is the reason, the Kedarnath Tour is considered tough. If you see the construction and architecture of the temple, then it is hard to believe at such an altitude.
Something special about the clerics here!
The head priest of the temple is called Rawal. He belongs to the Veera Shaiva Jangam community of Karnataka State. The head Rawal does not perform the rituals in the temple, though. He designates the task to his colleagues.
There are five priests that get the designation of Head Priest. The responsibility is shifted every year by rotation. The Rawal shifts to Unkimath with the main Murti during the winters. The rituals are performed in the Kannada language. It is one of the Unknown facts of the Kedarnath Temple that There has been no change in the rituals for the last 1000 years.
Triangular Shiva Jyotirlinga
In the core area or Garbhgriha of the Kedarnath temple, the shivlinga is in triangular shaped. This is a unique feature and one of the Lesser Known Facts. The linga is massaged with Ghee.
It is said that Bhagwan Shiva took the form of a bull. Bhima, one of the Pandavas hit the bull. The head of this bull fell apart and the hind remained in Kedarnath.
Festival of DoliYatra
Amongst various religious occasions, a three-day procession called ‘DoliYatra’ is quite popular. It has a spiritual relevance as well. The festival begins with the opening of the Kedarnath temple. The Doli of Lord Shiva is taken from the PanchKedarGaddithalOmkareshwar temple. The main Murti of Kedarnath is shifted to the Unkimath from Kedarnath.
Special worship of BhairavNath is done during the Yatra. The easiest way to attend this splendid festival is by helicopter.You should ask it while booking Kedarnath Tour Package From Mumbai.
A marvelous engineering of Kedarnath Temple!
One of the Interesting facts About Kedarnath Temple is its architecture. Architects and engineers consider it a piece of marvelous engineering. And considering the incredible altitude, the significance of its architecture increases further. The dimensions of the temple are impressive. The temple is located at the height of 11500+ feet and it is thousands of years old. It is built in stone. Giant-sized blocks of stones are raised on a rectangular platform of 6 feet in height.
Stones are arranged using the interlocking technique. It is quite fascinating. The walls are very thick, which makes it a strong structure.
Due to its architecture, the temple stood intact against the tough weather condition for ages.
These are some very amazing facts about kedarnath temple that place it in one of the most respected religious places for the followers of Sanatan Dharma or Hindu Religion.