Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, is one of Lord Shiva’s most sacred pilgrimages. Kedarnath is the most important of the Panch Kedar and one of Uttarakhand’s Char Dhams. Kedarnath is one of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlingas and is located at an elevation of 3586 metres in the lap of the majestic mountain peaks and near the head of the Mandakini River. Lord Shiva, the destroyer and protector, is also known as Kedar, which means powerful in Sanskrit. The beautiful ambiance surrounding the temple appears to be quite peace on heaven, making it a beautiful place to meditate. The main draw here is the Shiva Temple, a popular Hindu shrine and pilgrimage that draws devotees from all over the world. Natural beauty and religious zeal help to broaden the scope of travel and tourism in this region.
As Legend Says – History
Kedarnath literally means Lord of field, and many strong legends are associated with the temple. With faith in Lord Shiva people believe in all the legends and with each legend the spiritual clarification of the devotees become more strong and deep. According to legend, Nara and Narayana, two incarnations of Vishnu, performed severe penance in front of an earthen Shivalingam in Badrikashram, Bharat Khand. Lord Shiva appeared in front of them, pleased with their devotion, and invited them to request a boon. Nar and Narayan requested that Shiva take up permanent residence as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath, thereby relieving the suffering of all those who worship Shiva. Lord Shiva agreed, and it is said that Lord Shiva’s presence can still be felt in Kedarnath’s air today.
The second legend says that during the time when the five Pandavas brothers were asked to seek Shiva’s forgiveness for killing their cousins, the location was created. Lord Shiva, unwilling to give the Pandavas Darshans, sent himself to Kashi in the form of a bull to live incognito in Guptkashi, where he was eventually discovered by the Pandavas and finally forgave them and ushered with his blessings. Another popular legend associated with Kedar Temple is that Goddess Parvati worshipped Kedareshwar in order to become Ardhanarishvara, the union of Shiva and Parvati.
Sonprayag
Sonprayag is a small hamlet in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. It has an elevation of 1829 metres. On the way to Kedarnath Dham, pilgrims stop at Sonprayag. Sonprayag sits at the confluence of two sacred rivers, the Vasuki and the Mandakini. Bathing in the river is widely believed to wash away one’s sins. Sonprayag is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to snow-capped peaks. This tranquil setting is enhanced by snow-capped peaks and flowing rivers. Triyuginarayan, said to be the marriage site of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is about 10 kilometres from Sonprayag.
Gaurikund
The Kedarnath Yatra begins at the Gauri Kund, located at a height of 6500 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, where the road ends and the 16-kilometer trek to the Kedarnath Temple begins. The hot water springs at Gauri Kund are revered as one of the holiest Hindu sites. The most breathtaking view is from the Gauri Kund, which is located on the Mandakini River’s bank. According to legend, the Gauri Kund is also associated with Lord Ganesh and how he got his elephant head.
While taking a bath, Goddess Parvati fashioned Lord Ganesh from her soap lather and placed Lord Ganesh as a guard at the Kund’s entrance, warning him not to let anyone enter while she was meditating. When Lord Ganesh refused to enter of Lord Shiva himself unknowing to the fact he is her husband, infuriated Shiva and he chopped off Ganesh’s head. After Parvati insisted that the child be brought back to life, Lord Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on Ganesha’s body. The Gauri Kund, also known as Parvati Sarovar, is a sight to behold, surrounded by lush green forest, flowing Ganga, and the Gauri temple.
Vasuki Tal
Vasuki Tal, also known as Vasuki Lake, is a beautiful lake located in the beautiful hills of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 4135 metres. It is also popular among Uttarakhand Treks. Vasuki Tal is surrounded by high mountains and provides a breathtaking view of several Himalayan peaks. In ancient times, Lord Vishnu is said to have bathed in this lake. The sight of Vasuki Tal’s crystal clear water flowing through the lake revealing the rock stacks within is breathtaking. This lovely lake provides a beautiful view of the nearby Chaukhamba peaks.
Surrounded by a variety of colourful flowers, including the Brahma Kamal gives a new enhancement to the Tal. During the winter, the lake is completely frozen. It is quite large, and the trek is difficult and the trek begins about 8 kilometres from Kedarnath. The ascent from Kedarnath to Vasuki Tal is gradual along a narrow path. To reach the lake, travellers must first traverse the Chaturangi and Vasuki glacier. These glaciers are riddled with ravines, which require a high level of fitness to cross.
Adi Shankaracharya Samadhia
The grave of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the saint credited with founding India’s four sacred Dhams, which are important Hindu pilgrimages, is located slightly behind the Kedarnath Temple. At the age of 32, the famous Hindu philosopher attained enlightenment. According to legend, Shankaracharya became one with the land. Thousands of pilgrims visit the Shankaracharya Samadhi, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kedarnath. Shankaracharya is said to have visited Kedarnath in the eighth century and built one of his four mathas there. The disciples of Shankaracharya visit a hot water spring that is thought to have been created by him to provide relief from the area’s extreme climatic conditions.