History:

is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini River, it is one of the holiest Hindu sites. It is one of the four sites of the sacred Chota Char Dham pilgrimage, located at an altitude of 3,584 meters (11,755 ft). The temple was believed to have been built by Pandavas in the memory of Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to have been constructed by Adi Sankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu scholars of all time, in the 8th century. The temple is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountains and is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus, especially during Shivratri. The temple is believed to protect people from all misfortunes and usher them toward good luck. It is one of the best temple in Uttarakhand which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Kedarnath Temple is one of the most renowned Hindu temples located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It is one of the four major holy sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. 2. Kedarnath Temple is located in the majestic Kedarnath mountain range, and is perched atop a hill at a height of 3,583 meters above sea level. It is believed to have been established by the Pandavas, a legendary Indian royal family. 3. Devotees visit this temple to seek blessings and inner peace. The temple is surrounded by snow capped mountains and is a delight for any devotee. 4. The pilgrimage starts from Jaunpur in the foothills of the majestic Kedarnath mountains and the total trek is of over 18 km. 5. The temple is open only for six months in a year from April to November and usually experiences heavy snowfall during the other months. 6. The architecture of the temple is unique and is a mixture of both North and South India styles. It has a double-tiered roof, and the massive doors at the entrance have carvings of Lord Ganesha and other gods and goddesses. 7. Inside the temple, one can find the idols of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and the Pandavas. There are also several Shiva Lingas inside the temple. 8. Kedarnath Temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. This Jyotirlinga is believed to be created by the Gods to give shelter to devotees from the harshness of nature. 9. The temple is steeped in a rich history and legend. According to mythology, the Pandavas were said to have pleased Lord Shiva with their devotion and penitence in the Kedarnath valley and Lord Shiva eventually granted them mukti or liberation. 10. Kedarnath temple is one of the important sites of pilgrimage and is held in high reverence by devotees all over the world. Here are some facts about the Uttarakhand temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Uttarakhand

Worship Method:

The Kedarnath temple is known for its unique worship style. Devotees start their journey to the Kedarnath temple with a holy bath in the Tungabhadra or Mandakini rivers nearby after which they enter the temple for morning Arti or "puja". During "puja" flowers, incense sticks, fruits, milk, curd, ghee, honey, clarified butter and other sacred items are offered. Special prayers and offerings are also offered during festivities and fairs. In the inner sanctum of the shrine, priests conduct a special puja dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that during puja, Lord Kedarnath himself descends to accept the offerings of his devotees. After puja, devotees perform a sacred ritual in which they rub vibhuti (sacred ash) on their foreheads to seek blessings. The puja ends with the singing of bhajans and aarti. Devotees offer special prayers to Lord Shiva at the main Kedarnath temple and also at many local temples around the area. After the puja, devotees are allowed to linger inside the temple for darshan of Lord Kedarnath, chanting mantras and offering bells to the Lord. Devotees must be careful to not forget to bow down to the idol of Lord Shiva before taking their leave. This most visited temple in Uttarakhand

Opening Timing:

Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand is open from 5:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on all days of the week. top temples in Uttarakhand

How to reach:

The Kedarnath Temple is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand in India. It is one of the holiest temples in the Hindu religion and is a revered pilgrimage site. The nearest railway station to reach Kedarnath Temple is in Rishikesh which is about 225 kms away. One can take a bus or taxi from Rishikesh to reach the temple. The nearest airport is located in Dehradun which is about 250 kms away. One can take a bus or taxi from the airport to reach the temple. Alternatively, one can also hire a helicopter from Dehradun or any other nearby cities to reach the temple. One can also opt to trek to reach the temple. The trek starts from Gauri-Kund and takes around 5-7 days to reach the temple. famous temples in Uttarakhand