Tag: #kedarnathtemple

Make a visit to “land of gods” UTTRAKHAND

“WHERE SHIVA EXISTS IN EVERY STONE , IS UTTRAKHAND “

And this statement gives the justification of why Uttarakhand is know as “the land of gods “. Uttarakhand was formed on 9th November 2000 as the 27th State of India, when it was carved out of northern Uttar Pradesh. Located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it is largely a hilly State, having international boundaries with China (Tibet) in the north and Nepal in the east. On its north-west lies Himachal Pradesh, while on the south is Uttar Pradesh. It is rich in natural resources especially water and forests with many glaciers, rivers, dense forests and snow-clad mountain peaks. Char-dhams, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the mighty mountains.

LET ME GIVE YOU A BRIEF ABOUT THE MAJOR TEMPLES FOR WHICH UTTARAKHAND IS FAMOUS FOR :

  1. PANCH BADRI ( 5 BADRI )

a. BARDINATH : Badrinath is the northern Dham of the four sacred Dhams  called Char Dham. Though the Badrinath temple is believed to date to the Vedic period, the current structure was built in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya. The other three dhams are Rameswaram in the south, Dwarka in the west and Jagannath Puri in the east; all of these four temples are dedicated to god Vishnu. Adi Shankara’s basic intention was to unite the country under the banner of Hinduism. The temple, which had been subjected to damage due to snow avalanches and landslides, several times in the past, was last restored in the 19th century. Badrinath is also part of Chota Char Dham, four sacred temples in Uttarakhand. The others include the Shiva temple of Kedarnath and the sources of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna.

b. AADI BADRI : In ancient times, when approach to the main shrine of Badrinath was closed due to weather conditions, pilgrims worshipped Vishnu at this temple. Adi Badri, also known as Helisera according to revenue records, is a tiny temple complex enclosed within a space of 14 meters (46 ft.) X 30 meters (98 ft.). The height of the temples vary from 2–6 meters (6.6–19.7 ft.).

c. BHAVISHAY BADRI: According to the legend of Bhavishya Badri (literally “Badri of the future”), when evil transcends the world, the mountains of Nara and Narayana would block up the route to Badrinath and the sacred shrine would become inaccessible. The present world will be destroyed and a new one established. Then, Badrinath will appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here, instead of the Badrinath shrine.

d. DHAYAN BADRI : The legend of Dhyan Badri (meditating Badri) is linked to the Urvashi, son of King Puranjaya of the Pandavas lineage who meditated in the Urgam region and established the temple for Vishnu. The image of Vishnu is four-armed, made of black stone and in a meditative posture.

e. YOGADHYAN BADRI : Yogadhyan Badri, also called Yoga Badri, is located at Pandukeshwar at the elevation of 1,829 meters , close to Govind Ghat and is as ancient as the main Badrinath shrine . Legend has it that King Pandu, father of the five Pandavas – heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata, meditated here to god Vishnu to cleanse him of the sin of killing of two mating deer, who were ascetics in their previous lives. The Pandavas were also born here and Pandu died and attained salvation here. Pandu is believed to have installed the bronze image of Vishnu in the Yogadhyan Badri shrine. The image is in a meditative posture and thus the image is called Yoga-Dhyan (meditative) Badri. The idol is life size and has been carved from Shaligram stone. According to legend, the Pandavas, after defeating and killing their cousins Kauravas in the Mahabharata war, came here to repent.

2. PANCH KEDAR ( 5 KEDAR )

A folk legend about Panch Kedar relates to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Pandavas defeated and slayed their cousins — the Kauravas in the epic Kurukshetra war. They wished to atone for the sins of committing fratricide and Brahmanahatya (killing of Brahmins — the priest class) during the war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of lord Shiva and to seek his blessings. First, they went to the holy city of Varanasi (Kashi), believed to be Shiva’s favorite city and known for its Shiva temple. But, Shiva wanted to avoid them as he was deeply incensed by the death and dishonesty at the Kurukshetra war and was, therefore, insensitive to Pandavas’ prayers. Therefore, he assumed the form of a bull (Nandi) and hid in the Garhwal region.

Not finding Shiva in Varanasi, the Pandavas went to Garhwal Himalayas. Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, then standing astride two mountains started to look for Shiva. He saw a bull grazing near Guptakashi (“hidden Kashi” — the name derived from the hiding act of Shiva). Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tungnath, the face showing up at Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar and the hair appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas pleased with this reappearance in five different forms, built temples at the five places for venerating and worshipping Shiva. 

3. PANCH PRAYAG( FIVE PRAYAG )

  1. VISHNU PRAYAG : The Alaknanda River, which originates from Satopanth glacier is joined by the Dhauli Ganga River near Joshimath . Alaknanda flows in front of the Badrinath temple, one of the most revered Hindu shrines. Dhauli Ganga originates from the Niti Pass, after traveling a distance of 25 km (15.5 mi) from its source to the Vishnu Prayag 

2. NAND PRAYAG :Nand Prayag is the second Prayag in the cascade sequence of the confluences where the Nandakini River joins the main Alaknanda River. According to one tale, a noble King Nanda performed Yagnya (fire-sacrifice) and sought blessings of God. Hence, the confluence is named after him.

3. KARNA PRAYAG : KARN Prayag is the location where Alaknanda River is joined by the Pindar River that originates from the Pindar glacier, below the Nanda Devi Mountain range. The epic Mahabharata legend narrates that Karna did penance here and earned the protective gear of Kavacha (armour) and Kundala (ear rings) from his father, the Sun god, which gave him indestructible powers. The name of the confluence is thus derived from the name of Karna.

4. RUDRA PRAYAG : At Rudra Prayag the Alaknanda meets the Mandakini River. The confluence is named after god Shiva, who is also known as Rudra. According to a widely narrated legend, Shiva performed the Tandava here, Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Shiva also played his favourite musical instrument the Rudra veena here. By playing the Veena, he enticed god Vishnu to his presence and converted him to water.

5. DEV PRAYAG : Dev Prayag is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi – the chief stream of the Ganges and the Alaknanda. It is the first prayag on the way to Badrinath. Beyond this confluence, the river is known as Ganges. The holiness of this place is considered equal to the famous Triveni sangam confluence at Allahabad where the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers merge.

A part from temples , there are many other famous place to pay a visit for . some of them are , Dehradun , Nainital , Mussoorie , Rishikesh, Haridwar , Almora , Kausani , Pithoragarh , Chopta , Ranikhet , valley of flowers , etc. One in his life time should make a visit to this state , to see nature from you soul , from your eyes . It is a heaven on earth .

FACTS ABOUT THE HEAVEN OF INDIA – KEDARNATH

Kedarnath is one of the most significant holy places in the Hindu Religion. Above the sea level beside the river Mandakini Kedarnath is located at an altitude of 3583mt near the Chorabari Glacier in Uttarakhand.

Kedarnath is counted in one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India and has its importance from the time of the epic Mahabharat. Kedarnath is one of the major sites in Indian’s Chota Char Dham pilgrimage in northern Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

It not only holds the significant role in Hindu Religion, but it is also connected to the mythologies too. To know more keep on reading.

FACT 1- THE CREATION

Ancestors says that when Nar and Narayana the two avatars of Lord Vishnu present a sever act of austerity in the Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand, which led them to worship the Shiva lingam which appeared out of the earth ravishingly. Nar and Narayana then requested the Lord Shiva to live in here forever so that people who wish to worship Lord Shiva won’t be bind their self in hardship in the life anymore.

FACT 2- LEGENDS OF CREATION

In the way back in the time of Mahabharat, when the five sons of Pandu, Padavas went to seek blessing from Lord Shiva to get free from the sin of killing their cousin brother Kauravas. Lord Shiva impersonate himself as hump buffalo and kept hidden in Kashi. The Pandavas finally managed to determine the Lord Shiva who was hiding below the ground and Lord Shiva got impressed by them.

FACT 3- THE PROTECTION

The interesting fact about Kedarnath is with in very short distance Bhairav Nath Mandir is located which is guardian of Kedarnathji. During closing time of the Kedarnath, the Bhairav Nath guards the temple. There it is ceremonial to visit is before and after the closing of Kedarnath.

FACT 4- ABOUT

The Kedarnath temple is around 1000 years old temple. Himalayas around it is a heavenly treat for those who visit the temple. During the year 2013 Uttarakhand was hit by flood in which the whole town got destroyed but the temple was harmed less. A giant rock behind the temple helped it to protect from the flood, as this led to the diversion of flood coming toward the temple.

FACT 5- INSIDE THE TEMPLE

Kedarnath temple head priest is of Veerashaiva community also known as Raval. Although the rituals and puja are not done by the Raval, but they carry out the instruction to the priest perform the puja.

Shrine of Lord Shiva

The Lord Shiva shrine of Kedarnath is of extreme importance to Hindus. Kedarnath temple is situated in the laps of the Himalayas and is said to have gained prominence after the Mahabharata tale depicted how the Pandavas urged Lord Shiva to forgive their bad Karma.

The temple is said to have been built or resurrected by the great religious Guru Adi Shankaracharya to its present form.

The Kedarnath Mandir (Temple) that nestles at the foothills of the Himalayas is one of the holiest sites of Hinduism. A shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Destroyer of Evil, the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas across India, one of the Char (4) Dhams (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri), and one of the 5 Kedars. 

Given the treacherous weather in the region, this temple opens to devotees only between the months of April to November each year. It is said that this temple was constructed by a king from the Pandava lineage. His name was Janmajeya. The Shiva Linga here is very ancient. 

The temple’s architecture style is said to be the same as most ancient temples of its period – the ashlar style of construction – wherein stone slabs are interlocked into each other without the use of mortar or cement. Each year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims flock to the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. 

History of the temple:

The shrine finds a mention in the Mahabharata but the temple one sees today is said to have been built under the orders of the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th Century. Some also claim that it was built by Raja Bhoj of Malwa region in the 2nd Century. After the April-November season of darshan, before harsh winter temperatures set in, the murti (vigraha) of the deity is carried to Ukimath for the next 6 months. The Rawals (the priests of Karanataka-origin) travel along with the deity and carry out worship there.

The Mahabharat connection: 


It is said that after the Mahabharata war ended, the Pandavas were full of remorse at having lost thousands to the violence.  They handed over the kingdom’s reins to grandson Parikshit and started for Varanasi to seek Lord Shiva’s pardon.

Not interested in meeting them, Shivji leaves Varanasi/Benaras/Kashi and heads for the Himalayas in the form of a Bull (Nandi, the Bull). He reappears in Guptakashi as the bull and the Pandavas reach there. 

Shiva escapes again and this time reappears as the bull in five different parts of India as 5 different parts of the bull’s body: the face at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, navel and stomach at Madhyamaheshwar, the locks at Kalpeshwar and the hump at Kedarnath. The powerful Pandava – Bhima – is said to have grabbed the bull’s tail, forcing him to appear before them and forgive them. The Pandava brothers then built the first temple at Kedarnath. 

These 5 places where the bull had appeared in parts after diving underground are known as the Panch (5) Kedar.

Situated in a region of Glacial activity, the temple is said to have been under snow for 400 years. The signs of glacial assault are still there on the walls, say geologists. The temple was miraculously saved by a BhimShila (massive boulder) that rolled down the mountains during the horrific cloudburst and natural calamity in June 2013. It is said Baba Bhairo Nath saves the temple.

Nara – Narayana connection:

Nara and Narayana – two incarnations of Vishnu performed severe penance in Badrikashrayain devotion to Lord Shiva Bhole Shankar himself appeared in front of them. When the Lord granted them a boon, Nar and Narayan requested Shiva to take up a permanent abode at the place to benefit the devotees. Therefore, it is believed that Lord Shiva assumed the form as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath so that all people who worship Shiva shall be freed from their miseries.