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Jyotirlinga · Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Temple

The highest of the twelve Jyotirlingas (~3,583 m) and part of both the Char Dham and Panch Kedar circuits.

Primary deity
Shiva (Jyotirlinga)
Location
Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
Category
Jyotirlinga
Coordinates
30.735, 79.067
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History

An ancient stone temple in the Garhwal Himalayas near the Mandakini river, traditionally associated with the Pandavas and revived by Adi Shankaracharya.

Architecture

Massive grey-stone masonry built to withstand Himalayan conditions, without mortar in its core structure.

Legend & tradition

Linked to the legend of the Pandavas seeking Shiva, who took the form of a bull and dived into the ground, leaving his hump at Kedarnath.

Festivals

Maha ShivaratriOpening (Akshaya Tritiya) and closing (Bhai Dooj) ceremonies

Darshan & timings

Open only for roughly six months a year (around late April/May to November); closed in winter. Confirm the yatra dates each season.

How to reach

Nearest railway station: Rishikesh. Nearest airport: Dehradun. The final ~16-18 km from Gaurikund is on foot, by pony, palki, or helicopter.

Sources

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