the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

Kedarnath is located on a ridge which juts out at right angles from below the 23000 feet high snowy peak of Mahapanth. Kedarnath is located on the Rudra Himalaya range.

The Rudra Himalaya range is also known as the Pancha Parvata; its five peaks are Rudra Himalaya, Vishnupuri, Bhramapuri, Udgari-Kanth and Swargarohini. According to the traditional beliefs pilgrims first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and bring with them the holy waters from the sources of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga and offer abhishekams to Kedareshwara. The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devaprayag - Tehri - Dharasu - Yamunotri - Uttar Kashi - Gangotri - Triyugnarayan - Gowrikund and Kedarnath. Alternatively, the route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath.

Located in the Himalayas at a height of 12000 feet in awe inspiring surroundings, this small shrine is accessible by foot, only 6 months a year. The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva opens only when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season. Legend has it that Parvati worshipped Kedareshwar to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. Kedara Munivar is also said to have established this shrine visited by the Pancha Pandavas.

Legend also has it that Nara and Narayana - two incarnations of Vishnu practised severe penances at Badrikashramam, in front of a Shivalingam fashioned out of earth. When Shiva appeared in front of them, they requested him to take up a permanent abode as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath. The incarnations of Vishnu � Nara and Narayana performed their penance in the Bharata Khanda in the hermitage of Badarikasrama. Siva, being subservient to the devotees came every day to that earthen phallic image. A long time elapsed while these two incarnations of Vishnu, the spiritual sons of Siva, performed the worship of Siva. On one occasion the delighted Siva told them that since he was delighted, they could choose their boons from him. On hearing this Nara and Narayana requested Siva to stay there in his own form and accept the devotion of his devotees. Thus lord Siva himself stayed there in Kedara on the Himavat in the form of Jyotirlinga. He was worshipped by them for helping the world and for appearing in the presence of the devotees. He destroyed their miseries and terrors. Siva himself stayed there in the name of Kedareswara. By his sight and worship he bestows the desires of the devotees. Since the residents of Badarikasrama derive their desires every day by worshipping him, he is called the bestower of the desires of his devotees ever. From that day onwards anyone who worships Kedaresvara with devotion, he will not suffer distress even in dreams. It was he on seeing the Pandavas assumed the form of buffalo, having recourse to his magical skill and began to run away. When the Pandavas caught him he stood with his face bent down. They held his tail & implored him again and again. He remained in that form in the name Bhaktavatsala. His head portion went and remained fixed in the city of Nayapala, famous as Pashupati Nath temple of Kathmandu. The lord stood in that form there. Siva asked Pandavas to worship him in that trunk less form. Worshipped by them, Siva remained there and granted boons. The Pandavas went away with joy after worshipping him. There is a shrine of Kedara; the Indian people directly worship Siva. He who makes a gift of a ring or a bracelet after going there becomes a beloved of Siva. He comes very near in the form of Siva. He is endowed with the form of Siva. On seeing that form of Siva, a person gets rid of his sins. By going to Badri forest he becomes a living liberated soul . On seeing the forms of Nara, Narayana and Kedaresa, undoubtedly he can achieve liberation. The devotees of Kedaresa who die on the way are released from rebirth. Going there, with pleasure, worshiping Kedaresa and drinking the water, a person is released from re-birth. Therefore people in this country should worship with devotion Nara-Narayaneswara and Kedaresa. Although he is the lord of the universe, still he is particularly the lord of Bharata. There is no doubt that Siva Kedara is the bestower of all desires. On hearing this narrative, the sins disappear at once.