Kedarnath Temple
Who is the Kedarnath Temple dedicated to?
Why is Kedarnath Temple important in Hindu tradition and pilgrimage?
What is unique about the architecture of Kedarnath Temple?
How can visitors reach Kedarnath Temple?
What natural disaster did Kedarnath Temple survive in 2013?
Kedarnath Temple, Hindu temple in India dedicated to the god Shiva and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (sacred shrines of Shiva). Among the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, Kedarnath is traditionally associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century philosopher and theologian who is believed to have revived the temple and established its status as a major tirtha (sacred site). Located in the mountain ranges of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand state, the temple stands at an elevation of about 11,750 feet (about 3,580 meters) beside the Mandakini River, which originates from Chorabari Glacier. The temple is part of the Char Dham (“the four abodes”) pilgrimage (yatra) circuit of Uttarakhand and one of the five temples collectively known as Panch Kedars (panch means “five” and Kedar is one of the names of Shiva). Each year millions of devotees visit Kedarnath. In 2024 the pilgrimage saw a turnout of more than 1.6 million visitors.
Mythology and history
Kedara is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “marshy ground” or “soil mixed with water.” The term reflects the seasonal transformation of the valley, where snowmelt, rainfall, and river water turn the terrain into a marshy landscape. Kedarnath translates to “Lord of the Marshy Ground,” referring both to Shiva and to the high-altitude valley where the temple stands.
Kedarnath’s origins are rooted in such Hindu texts as the epic Mahabharata and the Puranas (sacred literature of Hindu myths and legends) and supported by regional oral traditions. In the Mahabharata, the Mahaprasthanika Parva (“Chapter of the Great Departure”) and the Svargarohanika Parva (“Chapter of the Climb to Heaven”) describe the final journey of the five Pandava princes to Kedarnath before their ascent toward heaven.
According to the Shiva Purana (a text on the legends and worship of Shiva), sages Nara and Narayana, dual incarnations of the god Vishnu, performed penance in the Himalayas. Pleased with their devotion, Shiva appeared before them and, at their request to stay so that devotees could worship him directly, manifested at Kedarnath as a Jyotirlinga. The Shiva Purana also recounts that after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas went searching for Shiva to seek forgiveness for their part in the war. Unwilling to condone them, Shiva disguised himself as a Brahman in Guptakashi (“hidden Kashi”), a town in Uttarakhand. When the Pandavas discovered him, he transformed into a bull and tried to disappear by burrowing into the ground, but he was recognized again. Bhima, the second Pandava prince, caught hold of the disguised god’s tail just as the hump was about to vanish beneath the earth. Shiva relented and instructed the Pandavas to worship the hump, which had remained above ground at the site now known as Kedarnath. The Pandavas are said to have built the temple there to honor Shiva and seek his blessings.
The Panch Kedar refers to five sacred temples in the Himalayas, each associated with a part of Shiva’s body that is believed to have appeared after he tried to evade the Pandavas.
The Skanda Purana (a text on sacred geographies and legends related to Shiva) refers to Kedarnath—under the name Kedareshvara—as a Himalayan site linked to the descent of the sacred Ganga (Ganges River), where waters are said to flow from Shiva’s matted hair. Drinking this sacred water frees one from the bonds of rebirth (samsara) and grants spiritual liberation (moksha). According to the Kedarakhanda, a section of the Skanda Purana, the sage Vyasa instructed the Pandavas to visit Kedarnath to cleanse their sins. In the presence of Shiva and the Ganges, they performed rituals of penance and were purified.
Adi Shankaracharya, the Advaita Vedanta philosopher from Kerala, is traditionally believed to have visited Kedarnath during his travels to consolidate sacred sites associated with Shiva across India. Regarded in many traditions as an incarnation of Shiva, Shankaracharya is credited in local accounts with restoring the temple and integrating it into a pan-Indian Shaiva pilgrimage network. According to tradition, he attained samadhi—a state of deep meditative concentration uniting with the highest reality—near the temple and is believed to have died there.
Significance and rituals
Kedarnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and part of Char Dham of Uttarakhand (four Hindu pilgrimage sites), along with Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath. Each year the temple opens to visitors on the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which usually falls between April and May, and closes before the onset of the harsh winter months, from the occasion of Bhai Dooj, which is celebrated between October and November. The lingam (symbol of Shiva) in the temple, said to have formed naturally (svayambhu), is anointed every day and a rite called arti is performed each evening. During winters, the Shiva murti is moved to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, a town at a lower elevation of about 4,300 feet (1,300 meters) in Rudraprayag district, where worship continues.
Architecture
Some researchers suggest that the temple was buried under snow for nearly 400 years during the Little Ice Age (early 14th century–mid-19th century), which may have helped preserve its structure. Marks on the temple’s granite and gneiss walls have been interpreted in different ways—while some view them as marks left by glacial movement, others identify them as natural patterns in the rock formed by weathering and mineral banding.
The temple is constructed from gray stone slabs with an interlocking design that eliminates the need for mortar. Iron clamps secure the structure, enhancing its durability. The temple is uniquely oriented north-south, unlike most Hindu temples, which face east or west. Built in the Nagara style, it features a conical shikhara (tower) rising above the central shrine, which is called a garbhagriha (“womb house”; Latin: sanctum sanctorum). The garbhagriha houses the lingam worshiped as the Sadashiva, the “ever-auspicious” form of Shiva. The mandapa (“pavilion”) serves as the hall where devotees gather for worship. The temple’s walls feature carvings of deities, mythological scenes, and floral motifs. A statue of Nandi, Shiva’s vahana, or mount, is placed at the entrance.
Accessibility and other attractions
How and when to visit
The journey to Kedarnath requires a 10-mile (16-km) trek from Gaurikund, the last motorable point. People may ride ponies, mules, or horses to reach the temple. Helicopter services operate from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sitapur in Rudraprayag district. May and June are the most favorable months for a visit because of milder weather. There is a risk of landslides during the monsoon season (July to September). The temple closes during winter because of heavy snowfall.
Nearby sites
There are some sacred sites and natural landmarks surrounding Kedarnath:
- Bhairavnath Temple: This temple is dedicated to the guardian deity Bhairava. According to tradition, Bhairava protects Kedarnath during the harsh winter months.
- Triyuginarayan Temple: This is believed to be the site of Shiva and goddess Parvati’s celestial marriage.
- Vasuki Tal: This glacial lake is located 5 miles (8 km) from Kedarnath.
Environmental challenges and initiatives
The town of Kedarnath has faced multiple natural disasters, most notably the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. The temple remained intact, whereas surrounding structures were destroyed. A large boulder known as Bhim Shila (also called Divya Shila) acted as a natural barrier, shielding the temple from the floodwaters. Following the disaster, infrastructure and trekking routes were rebuilt and disaster preparedness measures were enhanced.
- Also called:
- Shri Kedarnath Dham
The song “Namo Namo” (“Hail Hail”) from the Bollywood movie Kedarnath (2018) pays tribute to Shiva and features the Kedarnath Temple, set against the backdrop of the 2013 Uttarakhand floods.
The ecosystem surrounding Kedarnath is affected by climate change, natural disasters, and heavy tourism, prompting sustainability efforts to mitigate environmental impact. Initiatives include waste segregation, a ban on single-use plastics, and solar panel installations. Tree plantation aims to restore vegetation lost to natural disasters and deforestation, and visitors are urged to avoid littering and to use reusable containers. Kedarnath’s geographical location has also made it a focal point for scientific research. Scientists are monitoring the Chorabari Glacier to study its response to climate change and glacial dynamics, and studies on seismic activity aim to improve disaster preparedness.