Kedarnath is the home to the highest Jyotirling of Shiva out of the 12 Jyotirlings of India. The temple is accessible only for few months in the year. For a major part of the year, the temple is covered with heavy snow or recieves immense rainfall that it becomes nearly unsafe to climb the mountain.
Places to visit in Kedarnath – Guide
- Kedarnath Temple: Its the highest Jyotirlig out of the 12 Jyotirlings of Shiva in India. Its a temple made by Pandavas seeking penance from Shiva after the Mahabharata war.
- Bhairavnath Temple: It is located 1 km from the Kedarnath temple. Its a very steep trek which you can either trek or take the Paalki. Also, this place offers a beautiful view of the Kedarnath Shrine and the mountains behind it.
- Sonprayag: Its the place where the rivers Son Ganga and Mandakini meet.
- Gaurikund: It is the point from where the trek to Kedarnath temple starts. The place also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Gauri.
- Gandhi Sarovar: Its the lake which has mythological importance. It is believed that it is the place from where Yudhishtir, the eldest of the Pandavas started his journey towards heaven.
- Bhim Shila: Its a big rock like structure. Its the rock that came down from mountains during the massive floods that hit the place many years back. It is due to this rock that the temple got saved from getting washed away in the floods. It is believed that the rock was sent by the Gods to save the temple when the entire valley got devastated. Pilgrims seek the blessings from this Bhim Shila as it stands as a symbol of faith and spirit of the Kedarnath temple.
