Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath Temple is nestled close to Mandakini River
in a town of Kedarnath. It is a revered
Hindu temple and is one of the main attractions of Chota Chardham Yatra. For
ardent Shiva devotees, it is the most important and esteemed Shiva temples in
Uttarakhand. This Shiva abode is positioned at an altitude of 3586 meter above
sea level and is fixed over the hillocks of mighty Himalaya. As per the
legends, the original temple was constructed by the five Pandavas of
Mahabharata. The temple gets opened only during summer and winter season and
remains closed during autumn and spring seasons. During the winter season, the
statues and idols are carried out to Ukimath because the path towards the main
temple complex becomes totally blocked by snow and fog.
MahaShivratri festival is
celebrated on the 6th night of the dark Phalgun- Feb or March every year.
Devotees observe fast on this night and do not eat anything till night and
offer fruits, flowers and Bel leaves on Shiva Linga. The Festival-
Mahashivaratri marks the night when Lord Shiva performed the 'Tandava'. People
believe that on this holy day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Maa. Devotees
visit this temple especially on some auspicious occasions to seek fulfilment of
the following- Salvation; Wealth and Relief from diseases.
