Important facts about Kedarnath Temple

The Kedarnath Temple, located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here are some interesting facts about the temple:

The exact date of the temple's construction is uncertain, but it is believed to be over a thousand years old. Some historical records suggest that it was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.

Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are shrines where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a sacred lingam of light. These Jyotirlingas are considered to be very holy and auspicious for Hindu devotees.

The temple is built in the traditional Himalayan style of architecture, with stone walls and a pyramid-shaped roof made of slabs. The temple's interior houses the main sanctum sanctorum, or garbha griha, where the lingam is placed.

Despite being located in a region prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and landslides, the Kedarnath Temple has survived many such calamities over the centuries, including the devastating floods of 2013.

To reach the temple, pilgrims have to undertake a trek of about 14 kilometers from Gaurikund, the base camp. The trek is considered to be a part of the pilgrimage experience and is undertaken by thousands of devotees every year.

The temple is open to devotees only for six months in a year, from April to November, due to the extreme weather conditions during the winter months. The opening and closing dates are determined according to the Hindu calendar.

According to Hindu mythology, Kedarnath is the place where Lord Shiva granted salvation to the Pandavas, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata, after the Kurukshetra war. It is also believed to be the spot where Lord Shiva temporarily took refuge to avoid the wrath of the Pandavas.

After the 2013 floods, the temple complex and its surroundings underwent extensive renovation and restoration work to ensure the safety of the structure and accommodate the influx of pilgrims.