Panch Kedar – Journey Connecting to the Divine.

 

Panch Kedar the five holy places of western Garhwal Himalayas are renowned as Panch Kedar, which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Panch Kedar is a group of five Shiva Temples. The trek to all these temples takes 15-16 days. These five temples are accessible by only from the nearest road heads but in different directions, lengths and scale of ruggedness, steepness and snow cover. The trek to these temples takes one through some of the most beautiful parts of Garhwal Himalayas. The trek routes located in this region provide a dazzling and enchanting display of the high snow peaks of Nanda Devi (7,817 m or 25,646 ft), Trishul (7,120 m or 23,360 ft) and Chaukhamba (7,138 m or 23,419 ft). This trek brings ones closer to the Divine.

Kedarnath - Madhyamaheshwar - Tungnath - Rudranath & Kalpeshwar

Kedarnath: The shrine of Kedarnath, like Badrinath is held in equally high esteem and is visited by a large number of pilgrims every year. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Legend has it that the Pandavas of the Mahabharat epic underwent severe penance here to atone the killings of their kith and kin in the great battle of Kurukshetra, and established this shrine. The temple was built by Pandavas and revived by AdiSankaracharya and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva. Amidst the dramatic location of the majestic Kedarnath range stands the temple of Shri Kedarnath at an altitude of 3,581 meters above sea - level. Kedarnath temple town is a majestic sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by lofty snow covered peaks.

In side Kedarnath temple the first hall contains statues of the five Pandava brothers, Lord Krishna, Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva and Virabhadra, one of the guards of Shiva. Statue of Draupadi and other deities are also installed in the main hall. A medium-size conical rough stone formation is worshiped in the Garbagruha and considered as Sadashiva form of Lord Shiva. At the entrance is a statue of the Nandi, the divine bull. The walls inside the temple are exquisitely carved with images. Places which can be visited from here are - Bhairav temple, Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya, Gandhi Sarover or Chorabari Tal. Vasuki Tal is 8 km at 14,200 ft. above sea - level, and can be reached after an arduous climb and there is no facility. Due to extreme weather conditions, the Kedarnath temple is usually open only between the end of April to November.

Madhyamaheshwar (11,450 ft.): One of the Panch Kedar, the temple of Madhyamaheshwar is located at an altitude of 11,450 ft. above sea level, on the slope of a ridge, 25 km northeast of Guptkashi. There is a motor able road from Guptkashi to Kalimath. The best statue of Har Gauri in India measuring over a meter high is found in the Kali temple. The trek from Kalimath to Madhyamaheshwar is distinguished by wild unparalleled scenic beauty and engulfed by Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Gaundar at the confluence of Madhyamaheshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the last settlement before one reaches Madhyamaheshwar, the place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of the Nabhi as described in sacred text of Padma Purana.

Tungnath (12,070 ft.): The Bahu (arms) of Lord Shiva came out as per the Kedarnath myth, at Tungnath. He is worshipped here as one of the Panch Kedar. Tungnath Temple at an altitude of 12,070 ft., is the highest Shiva shrine among the Panch Kedar but the easiest to reach from Chopta, the nearest road head.

Rudranath (7,500 ft.): This place has its importance in Kedarnath area and believed to have Mukh (the mouth) of Lord Shiva. The mountain cave of Rudranath was modified into the temple. The trek to Rudranath is sometimes considered as the toughest Panch Kedar temple to reach. A motor road is present up to the village Sagar that is 5 km from Gopeshwar. From village Sagar a 20 km trek takes to Rudranath. The trek winds through tall grass, oak and rhododendron forests. There are numerous sacred water tanks Kund near the temple. These include Surya-kund, Chandra-kund, Tara-kund, Mana-Kund etc. Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti are the famous mountain peaks, which provide the backdrop to the temple. The holy river Vaitarani or Baitarani or Rudraganga flows near the temple, which has a grey stone idol of Rudranath.

Kalpeshwar (7,200 ft.): According to Padma Purana, Kalpeshwar is the Jata (hairs) of Lord Shiva. This is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. At this small stone temple, approached through a cave passage, the matted tress (Jata) of Lord Shiva is worshipped. The Kalpeshwar temple is located in the Urgam valley of the Himalayan mountain range. The Urgam valley is a dense forest area. The valley has apple orchards and terraced fields. Kalpeshwar is 2 km trek from Urgam the nearest road head.