Kedarnath Jyotirlinga

Shree Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayan range at an altitude of 3,583 metres (11,755 feet) above sea level, is the fifth among the twelve Jyotirlingas and the highest among them. Located near the source of the sacred Mandakini River in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, it is simultaneously part of the Char Dham Yatra and the first of the Panch Kedar shrines — making it one of the most spiritually and physically challenging pilgrimages in Hinduism.

The name Kedarnath comes from Sanskrit: Kedara (field/meadow) + Nath (Lord) — "Lord of the Field." The Kashi Kedara Mahatmya scripture explains it thus: "the crop of liberation grows here."

The mythology of Kedarnath is deeply rooted in the Mahabharata. After the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas were tormented by guilt for killing their kin, including teachers and relatives. Seeking absolution, they were advised to find Lord Shiva. Shiva, however, was deeply displeased with the Pandavas for their deceit and moral compromises during the war, and kept evading them. He took the form of a bull (Nandi) and hid among cattle herds near the Himalayas.

The second Pandava Bhima eventually spotted the bull and, suspicious, tried to catch it. The bull dived into the earth. Bhima caught its hump — and Lord Shiva appeared, his body scattered across five locations: the hump at Kedarnath (the Jyotirlinga), the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair and head at Kalpeshwar. These five are the sacred Panch Kedars. Touched by the Pandavas' devotion despite his anger, Shiva promised to remain at Kedarnath permanently.

The present temple is credited to Adi Shankaracharya, who revived and consecrated the shrine in the 8th century CE on his journey through the Himalayas. The original temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas. Shankaracharya is said to have attained Mahasamadhi (final liberation) at Kedarnath — his memorial (Samadhi shrine) stands behind the main temple.

On 16–17 June 2013, catastrophic flash floods devastated the Kedarnath valley, killing thousands and washing away the entire town around the temple. Yet the Kedarnath temple itself survived. A massive boulder, carried by the floodwaters, lodged itself directly behind the temple, dividing the flow around both sides and protecting the structure completely. Devotees across India saw this as divine protection — the Lord Himself shielding His house. The rock is still there today, revered as a sacred object.

Kedarnath is not accessible by road. All pilgrims must complete a 16 km trek from Gaurikund, or take a helicopter. Yatra registration is mandatory — register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before travelling.

Unlike other Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath is only open for 6 months per year due to extreme Himalayan weather. The opening and closing dates are announced annually by the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Board.

Accommodation at Kedarnath itself is limited — basic GMVN tents and small lodges. Most pilgrims stay at base camps below and trek up for darshan. Here is the layered accommodation plan from Kedarnath down to the valley:

The following guidelines ensure a respectful and smooth experience for all devotees and visitors.