Located in the Himalayas, Kedarnath, at the head of the Mandakini River, is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus. Together with Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, it forms the Char Dham (Four Holy Shrines). Situated at a height of 11,749 ft in the Uttarkashi region near the Indo-Chinese border, massive Himalayan peaks surround it. The ancient and most revered Kedarnath Temple in attracts devout pilgrims in search of enlightenment. Of the 200 shrines in the district, Kedarnath is the most important and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva and according to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty for having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of Nandi (Divine Bull). On being followed, he dove into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his head and locks at Kalpeshwar and together with Kedarnath are called Panch Kedar.
Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the idol is in the form of a pyramidal lingam. The original temple here is believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The present Temple however was built in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya and stands adjacent to the site of the one built by the Pandavas. The statue of Nandi stands at the entrance of the Temple.
The hallowed place where the great saint Shankaracharya sought union with the Paramatman (Supreme Soul), the final resting place, the Samadhi of Adi Sankaracharya is consecrated at the back of the Temple.
The Bhairav Nath Temple is located to the south of the Kedarnath Temple. This Temple is dedicated to Bhairav Nath, the principal deity who guards the Temple in winter when it's closed due to extreme cold weather.
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