Sacred Shrines of Chardham
Kedarnath Temple
Deity
Lord Shiva
Altitude
3,583m
"The Eternal Home of Shiva"
Perched at 3,583 meters and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Kedarnath is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is a place of immense spiritual power where nature and divinity merge into a single entity.
Section 01
Ancient Stone Marvel
The temple is an architectural wonder, built with massive, evenly cut grey stone slabs on a high rectangular platform. The stones are joined using an ancient interlocking method without mortar. The interior features a conical rock formation worshipped as the **Sadashiva** form of Lord Shiva, representing the hump of a bull.
Section 02
Mythological Origins
According to Hindu mythology, the Pandavas built the original temple to appease Lord Shiva. After the Kurukshetra war, they sought Shiva's forgiveness. Shiva, taking the form of a bull, dove into the earth to hide from them, leaving his hump at Kedarnath. The current temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya behind the old Pandava structure.
Section 03
The 2013 Miracle
In June 2013, the temple survived a catastrophic flash flood that destroyed almost everything else in the valley. A massive boulder, now known as the **Bheem Shila**, rolled down and stopped right behind the temple, diverting the raging waters and protecting the shrine from being washed away.
Temple Puja & Aarti Timings
A Spiritual Schedule for Pilgrims
Ritual
Timing
Morning Prayers
4:00 AM
Public Darshan
6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Evening Aarti
6:30 PM
Shayan Aarti
8:30 PM
* Timings are subject to change based on the Temple Committee's seasonal adjustments.