Lord
Shiva manifested in the form of Jyotirlingam or the cosmic light.
Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This ancient and
magnificient temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range. This
temple, over a thousand years old is built of massive stone slabs
over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large
gray steps leading to the holy sanctums we find inscriptions in
Pali on the steps. The present temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The
inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of
various deities and scenes from mythology. Outside the temple
door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. A conical
rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in
his Sadashiva form. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has
been continually renovated over the centuries. It is situated
at an altitude of 3,581 mt. it is a 14 km trek from gaurikund.
At the approach of winters in the month of November, the holy
statue of Lord Shiva, is car carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand)
to Ukhimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week
of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown
open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy
pilgrimage. The shrine closes on the first day of Kartik (Oct-Nov)
and reopens in Vaishakh (Apr-May) every year. During its closure
the shrine is submerged in snow and worship is performed at Ukhimath.
The
shrine of Kedarnath is very scenically placed, and is surrounded
by lofty, snow - covered mountains, and grassy meadows covering
the valleys. Immediately behind the temple, is the high Keadardome
peak, which can be sighted from great distances. The sight of
the temple and the peak with its perpetual snows is simply an
enthralling.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the devout Hindu.
It is set amidst the stunning mountainscape of the Garhwal Himalayas
at the head of the Mandakini River. Kedar is another name of lord
Shiva, the protector & the destroyer. Shiva is considered
the embodiment of all passions - love, hatred, fear, death &
mysticism which are expressed through his various forms. Kedarnath
temple will reopen for common people at 5 A.M. on 30th April 2001.
|