PANCH KEDAR

Panch Kedar includes all the five Kedars. These shrines has importance place among the Hindus. The famous Panch Kedar’s is situated in Uttakhand state in the kedar valley. Panch kedar are the famous shrines of Lord Shiva. According to an epic after the famous battle of Mahabharata Pandavas want to pay homage to Lord Shiva and wanted to apologize for killing their brothers in battle but Lord Shiva did not wanted to meet and forgive them because they were guilty of Gotra Hatya (killing blood relatives). Lord Shiva came to Kedar Valley and converts him as a Bull. When Pandavas spot this Place Bhima (One of the Pandava) recognizes and chases Shiva as bull and caught the tail. Lord Shiva Spilt himself and these parts of bull divided in five parts of Kedar valley and different parts known as Panch Badri by different name.

Hump as Kedarnath (3564 m)

Arms as Tungnath (3886 m)

Belly as Madhyamaheshwar (3490m)

Face as Rundranth (2286 m)

Hairs as Kalpanath (2134 m)

Kedarnath –Kedarnath is eminent shrines of Hindus and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga standing at the head of the Mandakini River, surrounded by lofty peaks .The Lingam is of natural rock and appears as a hump of a bull. Temple is made up of grey stone with a carving on door of the temple. This shrine has a ‘mandap’ and ‘Garbh grih’ in the center of which conical shape lingam which resembles hump of a bull is worshipped as Lord Shiva. Other diety is ‘Nandi’ a divine bull of lord. There are many idols and small temple in ‘Pradakshina Path’. The image Pandavas is also here in the outer chamber. There are many holy ponds around the temple like Ret Kund, Hans Kund and Udak Kund and Daitya Kund

Tunganath– Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple of India, situated in the altitude of 3,886m. According to epic the ‘Arm of Shiva’ has appeared here. There is a swambhu lingam. The lingam is dark left-tilted lingam which is about one foot high is depict as the arm of Shiva. Other deities are Nandi bull, Kal bhairav, Parvati, Ved vyas. There are also image of Adi Shankrasharya, and Pandavas in the Garbh Grih. A little away from Tungnath Temple is the shrine of Chandrashila or the `moon mountain’. It is believed that ‘Chandra’ worshiped Lord Shiva here. It is also belived that Ravan also performed penance here to propitiate Lord Shiva in this place and the particular peak is known as Ravan parvat.

Rudranath– Situated admist in thick forest in the altitude of 2286mt, the trek is toughest of all Panch Kedar. Here the ‘face of Lord Shiva’ is worshipped.

Here is the oldest stone statue of Lord Shiva, in which he is sitting with a tilt neck. It is said that one can see the changing of expression of the staue of Lord Shiva. Snow covered peaks of Trishul, Nanda Devi, Devasthan, Hathi parvat etc are visible from here.Near the Temple is a stream of sparkling water known as Vaitarini-the ‘Water of Salvation’.

Madhyamaheshwar– The belly of Lord Shiva appeared here. Madhyamaheshwar is located in the base of Chaukhamba peak

At an altitude of 3490mt. It is approachable by trekking route. Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks are visible from here.

Kalpeshwar (Kalpnath)– Kalpeshwar is located in the beautiful Urgam valley. It is a small rock temple entered through cave. In the cave there is a large natural rock ‘lingam’ is describe as hairs of Lord Shiva. Situated at the height of 2134m magnificient temple is approachable by trekking route. It is a favorite place for meditation. It is believed that Rishi Durvasha meditated here under the wish-fulfilling tree ‘Kalpvriksh’.