Places to Visit in Kedarnath

Nestled amidst the majestic peaks of the Garhwal Himalayas in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India, lies the sacred abode of Lord Shiva – the Kedarnath Temple. Revered as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus, this ancient temple holds not only religious significance but also boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage that attracts devotees and travellers from all corners of the world.

Believed to have been built by the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame, the origins of Kedarnath Temple date back to ancient times. According to Hindu mythology, after the great war of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to absolve themselves of the sins of killing their kin. Though the current structure of the temple is believed to have been constructed in the 8th century by the Adi Shankaracharya, the architectural marvel of Kedarnath Temple stands as a testament to the ingenuity of ancient builders. Perched at an altitude of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, the temple is made of large stone slabs and exudes a rustic charm with its traditional Himalayan architecture.

Every year, thousands of devotees undertake the arduous trek through the rugged terrain of the Himalayas to seek the blessings of Lord Kedar. The pilgrimage to Kedarnath is not merely a physical journey but also a spiritual odyssey, where devotees surrender themselves to the divine presence of Lord Shiva. The chanting of hymns, the sound of bells, and the fragrance of incense fill the air as devotees perform ancient rituals and offer prayers at the temple.