Kedarnath Dham Yatra By Helicopter From September to October 2023
The Himalayas are geographically divided into five khands, each of which contains a well-known Shiva temple.
Sri Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal Khand, Kathmandu 2. Sri Jagannatha (Jageshwar) Temple at Kumanchal Khand 3. Sri Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand, Garhwal Khand 4. Himachal Pradesh’s Jalandhar Khand – Sri Baijanath Temple 5. Sri Amarnath Temple, Jammu & Kashmir, Kashmir Khand
The Kedarnath temple is located in the Rudraprayag district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 3,500 metres (11,753 feet). The five Ganges, including Kshira Ganga (Vasuki Ganga), Madhu Ganga / Madhavi Ganga, Saraswathi Ganga, Mandakini, and Swarga Dari / Swargarohini, surround the temple, which is situated at the base of Mahalaya Parvata.
Kedarnath’s Temple
Kedarnath’s significance,The name Kedarnath is derived from the Sanskrit words kedar, meaning “field,” and nath, meaning “the Lord.” According to the Kashi Kedar Mahatmya, this is the location where the crop of emancipation flourishes, thus the name Kedarnath. According to Krishna-janma Khanda chapter 17 of the Brahmavaivarta Purana, the name Kedar also refers to the famous Satya-yuga monarch Kedar, who abdicated his throne and performed tapasya in this Himalayan region.
Lord Shiva agreed to reside here at the request of Nara and Narayana for the advantage of their devotees, according to local mythology. Five thousand years ago, the Pandavas constructed the Kedarnath temple. Later, Adiguru Sri Shankaracharya restored it.
The Kedarnath Jyotirlinga manifestation.
Lord Vishnu once performed penance at Badrikashrama, according to Chapter 19 of the Kotirudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana. Lord Vishnu assumed the identities of Nara and Narayana. Each prayed to the mud-constructed Shiva Linga.
After being satisfied with their penance, Lord Shiva greeted them with the words, “I am happy by your tapasya.” Request a blessing, please.
Upon hearing Lord Shiva’s words, Nara and Narayana replied, “O Lord, if you are pleased with us, please remain here in your manifest form for the sake of your devotees.”
Lord Shiva acquiesced to their request and remained in this location as a linga known as Kedareshwara. The devatas and sages began to venerate him from that point on.
The Mahabharata describes the emergence of the Kedarnath Shiva-linga.
Sage Veda Vyasa commanded the Pandavas, after the Kurushetra War, to travel to the Himalayas to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings in order to atone for the transgression of killing their own relatives.
Since he was angered by the Pandavas’ assassination of their relatives, Lord Shiva refused to pay them a visit. Thus, Lord Shiva concealed there in Gupt Kashi. When the Pandavas learned of this, however, Lord Shiva proceeded to Kedarnath and adopted the appearance of a bull, disguising himself among the grazing bulls there.
When the Pandavas arrived at Kedarnath to look for Lord Shiva, they discovered a large number of cattle grazing nearby. Yudhishthira instructed Bhima to stand with his legs apart and instructed Arjuna to yoke the bulls under Bhima in order to see Lord Shiva in the guise of a bull. Arjuna yoked each bull separately; however, one bull refused to pass beneath Bhima. This caused Maharaja Yudhisthira, who ordered Bhima to capture the bull, to be viewed with suspicion.
When Lord Shiva realised that Bhima had recognised him in disguise, he asked Bhumi Devi to open a door for him. Bhima immediately grabbed Lord Shiva’s tail and dragged him away from the area as he fled. As a result, Lord Shiva was unable to fully pass. The entirety of his body, from the crest to the tail, was abandoned in Kedarnath. The visage was observed in Pashupatinath.
Lord Shiva appeared before the Pandavas to award them darshan after being pleased by their resolve. Moreover, he absolved them of their sins and provided them with instructions on how to venerate the self-manifested (svayambhu) Kedar Shila, which took the form of a bull’s hump. This Kedar Shila is venerated as the Jytirlinga from that point forward.
At various locations in the Garhwal Khand of the Himalayas, which are collectively known as the Pancha Kedar and include Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar, the bull’s body parts also manifested as Shiva-lingas.
According to the Padma Purana, anyone who visits Lord Kedarnath and touches the Shiva Linga when the Sun and Jupiter are in Kumbha Rashi will attain moksha swiftly.
According to the 38th chapter of the Mahabharata’s Shanti Parva, anyone who contemplates Lord Kedarnath as they are dying enters Shiva-loka.
According to the 83rd chapter of the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata, a person who bathes in the Kedar Kunda is cleansed of all transgressions. On the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, anyone who sees Kedar will gain entry into Elysium.
In Kedarnath, there are numerous sacred sites and tirtha. Udak Kund is one of the holiest tirthas; by imbibing its water, a person can atone for all of his past transgressions and, after death, enter Shiva-loka.
The construction of Kedarnath Temple
The Kedarnath temple has a beautiful and distinctive design that reflects the traditional architecture of the Garwal Mandal, with the imposing Mahalaya Parvat serving as a magnificent backdrop. The temple was constructed with such precision that it remained undamaged despite being completely buried in snow for more than three hundred years. Temple was the only structure to remain unmoved during the 2013 great deluge, surviving the devastation without a scratch.
The gilded kalasha and 10-foot-tall wooden superstructure crown the 66-foot-tall Kedarnath temple. At the garbha-griha of the temple, it is customary to venerate a large Kedar-shila. The parikrama route circumnavigates the shikva-linga. Silver nakasha work adorns the walls of the garbha-interior griha. The antechamber is ornate. Prior to the garbha-griha is a small mantapa, which is followed by the main hall, which has pillars in the centre and is where Nandi can see Lord Kedarnath. In addition to Lord Shiva and Parvati, the mantapa features depictions of the Pancha Pandavas, Lord Krishna, Lakshmi Narayana, Nandi, and Virabhadra.
The stately entrance to the Kedarnath Temple is made of stone and adorned with ornamentation. Moreover, it is painted in vibrant traditional hues. On either side of the entrance, Shringi and Bhurngi are clad as Dwarapalakas. Outside the main entrance, a massive Nandi stands guard and observes Lord Kedareshwara. A parikrama marg is also located outside the temple.
Even though it is believed that the Pandavas were the original builders of the temple, the Archaeological Survey of India reports that the structure has undergone at least three significant renovations in recent years:
According to a Guptbrahmi inscription found outside the rear of the Ishan Temple, the initial renovation of the temple occurred during the Gupta period. The inscription indicates that a temple existed at this site prior to the year 12 AD.
During the second renovation of the temple in the 12th century A.D., all aspects of the structure were restored, except for the peak. This is evident from a few pillars, other temple characteristics, and the Deities installed in the pillared hall.
The third renovation occurred near the close of the 18th century. During this period, the front main hall and the temple’s apex were constructed. Archaeologist claims that this action was taken by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
Priests at the Temple of Kedarnath
Rawal is the name of Sri Kedarnath’s principal archaka, and he is a member of the South Indian shringeri sect. The students of their own generation, their own generation, their own generation, their own generation, their own generation, their own generation, their own generation, their own generation The Rawal instructs his disciples to venerate Lord Kedarnath as opposed to the Shiva-linga. Ukhimath serves as the mutt’s headquarters. The Rawal venerate the Pancha Kedar Temples as well as the remaining eleven temples.
Temple of Kedarnath Visiting Times
The temple’s hours may vary based on the time of year and special occasions. Consult the temple’s administrators for specific schedules.
Arati occurs at 7:30 p.m.
As part of the shringara puja at 5:00 p.m., silver kavacha, silver cobra, trishul, damaru, and bhrungaraja flowers are used to adorn the Kedar Shila.
The Kedarnath Temple holds festivities.
An annual festival is conducted in Kedarnath on the occasion of Annakoot. Rice is prepared and offered to Lord Shiva as part of the ceremonies. The rice is used to cover the entirety of the Shiva linga, and is then distributed as prasadam. It is believed that this occurrence has occurred since the beginning of time. During the festival, additional offerings of Bilvapatra and brahma kamala are made to Lord Kedarnath. Besides Kedarnath, this festival is also celebrated at the Bholeshwar Mahadev Temple in Ukhimath and the Vishwanath Temple in Guptakashi.
The opening and concluding ceremonies of the Kedarnath Temple are breathtaking to witness. When the temple reopens after a six-month closure, devotees can view the akhanda jyoti, which remains perpetually lit during that time.
The Kedar Shila is covered in rudraksha and vibhuti during the period when the temples are closed, but the majority of it disappears and is only partially discovered when the temples are reopened. As prasadam, the remaining rudraksha and vibhuti are distributed to the devotees.
Optimal weather for a trip to Kedarnath
In the temple’s location, extreme weather occurs throughout the year. From October to April, the temple is closed, and the weather is so severe that it is nearly impossible to visit the shrine during this time.
The weather is most auspicious between September 15 and October 15 in Kedarnath. Secondly, the months of May through June are also favourable for visiting Kedarnath for darshan.
Carry sufficient winter clothing, particularly thermal pants, on your excursion to Kedarnath, as nighttime temperatures can fall below 0 degrees Celsius. Always bring a pair of shoes and an umbrella to protect against snow and precipitation.
Char Dham Yatra: Getting to Kedarnath
The best method to visit Kedarnath Temple is by participating in one of the scheduled group tours. Tirtha Yatra offers at least ten excursions to Kedarnath and Badrinath during the second week of May, June, September, and October. Dial (98447) 00850 to book a reservation.
On the motorable route leading to Kedarnath, only Sonprayag can be found. From Sonprayag to Gauri Kunda, one can take a jeep, then trek, take a helicopter, ride a mule, or take a doli to reach Kedarnath.
There are frequent vehicle connections between Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Sonprayag. Pauri, Tehri, Gupt Kashi, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Srinagar are among the many intersections between which local buses and jeeps provide access to Sonprayag.
By Air
Kedarnath is located 238 kilometres from the closest airport, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to all major airports in India. From Jolly Grant Airport, local taxis can transport you to Sonprayag.
Via rail
Both Rishikesh and Haridwar have superb rail connections and are home to the nearest train stations. From the train station, it is possible to take a local vehicle to Sonprayag.
By Helicopter
As an alternative to hiking, you could ride a helicopter to Kedarnath. There are helipads in between Gupt Kashi and Phata.
Trekking
Through the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary, it is approximately 19 kilometres from Gauri Kunda to Kedarnath. The trek is enhanced by tranquil scenery, waterfalls, views of Mahalaya Parvata, and an abundance of flora and fauna.
Beyond Rambada, the terrain becomes more difficult after the initial eight kilometres of the voyage. The distance can be traversed on foot in six to eight hours. The iron railings along the sides of the 8- to 10-foot-wide hiking trail provide safety.
Kedarnath provides accommodations and medical services.
During the trek to Kedarnath, there are sufficient tea and snack kiosks for pilgrims to rest and unwind. Along the route, there are also medical shelters.
Kedarnath can comfortably house up to 2,000 pilgrims. At Kedarnath, GMVN maintains both a guesthouse and dormitories. There are also small bhavans available for pilgrims to stay in. Pilgrims can also reside in fibre shelters. Numerous small restaurants offer simple fare.
Hare Krishna Golden Temple, also known as Swayambhu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetram, a 1000-year-old temple in Hyderabad and a member of the ISKCON Bangalore temple group, organises wonderful yatras to this punya kshetra. The Akshaya Patra Foundation, HKMCF, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir — the tallest temple in the world, located in Vrindavan, etc., are some of our affiliated organisations.