SHRI KEDARNATH

[Guest guest]

SHRI KEDARNATH

 

Among the twelve JyotirLingas of Bhagwan Shankara, the one at

Kedarnath is located in the snow-covered area of the Himalayas. This

JyotirLinga can be visited only during six months in a year. From the

month of Vaisakha to Ashwin (Ashwiyaja) is the time when pilgrims can

make the journey to this. The rest of the year it is too cold and the

Himalayas are covered in snow. Therefore, the Kedarnath temple

remains

closed for pilgrims.

 

During the month of Karthik, due to snowfall, Sri Kedareshwar idol is

brought out of the temple after lighting a ghee lamp, "Nanda Deepa".

Then the temple is closed for the winter. From the month of Karthik

to

Chaitra Sri Kedareshwar's abode is shifted to the Urvi Math, which is

in the valley. In the month of Vaishakh, when the temple doors are

opened the lamp "Nanda Deepa" still keeps burning. People come to see

this glorious lamp and the Shiva devotees consider themselves

blessed.

 

Hardwar is considered to be the gateway to heaven, the magic city or

Mayapur. Ahead of Haridwar, there are holy places like Rishikesh,

Devprayag, Sonprayag and Triyugi Narayan, Gaurikund. To Kedarnath one

has to pass through these places. Some part of the journey is

motorable and the rest has to be walked upon. This part of the way

through the Himalaya is very difficult. But devotees go through all

this with dedication and determination. They overcome all the

difficulties with perseverance.

 

To climb the steep path, some use mules, some use Dolis (swing like

carriages) and some others use walking sticks. There are arrangements

for acquiring these here. There are chowltries and resting places in

between for the tired yatris. At Gaurikund, the pilgrims get to have

a

bath in the hot springs there. After this, they take a Darshan of the

head-less Ganesha. It is here in Gaurikund, that Lord Shiva cut off

Ganesha's head with the trident and later replaced with the head of

an

elephant.

 

A little farther from Gaurikund, near the snow-clad mountains, on the

banks of River Mandakini, the Kedarnath temple of the glorious

JyotirLinga of Lord Shankar becomes visible. This is where Lord

Shankar had made His abode. The shivalinga here is self-manifest and

not installed by anyone.

 

Regards

Lakshmi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" on the web.

   

 

    Terms of Service.