Pancha
Kedar
According to the legend, the Pandavas sought the blessings
of Lord Shiva to atone their sins after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva
eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form
of a Bull. On being followed, he dived into the ground, leaving behind his hump
on the surface. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol in the
shrine. Garhwal in the state of
Uttaranchal has five Kedar shrines ( Kedarnath, Tunganath, Madamaheshwar,
Rudranath, and Kalpanath) like five prayags or confluences, besides lakes of
divine charm. You may click below to visit the Pancha Kedars.
Navel (nabhi) at Madamaheshwar
Kedarnath – 1st Panch Kedar
Kedarnath, at the head
of the Mandakini River, is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the devout
Hindu. The temple, believed to be
very ancient, has been continually renovated over the
centuries. The lingam at Kedarnath, unlike its
usual form, is pyramidal and is regarded as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Situated
at an altitude of 3,581 mts. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva the protector
and the destroyer. Shiva, is considered the embodiment of all passions-love,
hatred, fear, death and mysticism that are expressed through his various forms.
Situated in the lap of Nar-Narayan Parvat, with the towering Neelkanth peak
(6,597mts.) in the background, Badrinath is one of the most revered Hindu
shrines of India. It has been said that "there were many sacred spots of
pilgrimage in the heaven, earth and the other world but neither is equal to
Badrinath nor shall there be one".
Tungnath - 2nd Panch Kedar
Read Phil’s journey to Tungnath
Set on the crest of a hill at an altitude of 3,886 meters,
Tungnath is the highest temple in India. Legend has it that the arm of Shiva
appeared here. Ravana, of the Ramayana, is said to have performed penance at
this temple to propitiate Shiva. The high altitude
temple is a Seat of Swyambhu Linga or the Lord Shiva Incarnate. The temple, one
of the Panchakedars or one of the five Shiva temples, is situated in Chamoli
district of the Uttarakhand region. The mythology has it that Lord Shiva was
enraged at the act of homicide enacted by the Pandavas by killing their
brethren in the grand battle of Mahabharata. Aware of Shiva's annoyance, the
Pandavas built the temple to please Lord Shiva and for their own salvation.
Others claim that the Adi Shankaracharya during his historic visit to the
region had got it built. They cite the presence of Adi Shankaracharya's image
in the garbha-griha or the sanctum of the temple. However, it also houses
images of the Pandavas. Besides, the ashtadhatu images of Kaal Bhairava and
Veda Vyasa are among the multitude of images there. A dark left-tilting
one-foot high linga is the centre of attraction. The locals describe it as an
arm of Lord Shiva. The arm of Lord Shiva is also associated with a legend.
Built of stone, this temple is a fine model of ancient
architecture. Facing the gate of the temple is Nandi, the Divine Bull and
Shiva's vehicle. There are two smaller temples dedicated to Parvati and Vyas in
a small courtyard. The temple of Tungnath, at a little over 12, 000 feet, is
the highest shrine on the inner Himalayan range. It lies just below the
Chandrashila peak. Some way off the main pilgrim routes, it is less frequented
than Kedarnath or Badrinath, although it forms a part of the Kedar temple
establishment. The priest here is a local man, Brahmin from the village of
Maku; the other Kedar temples have South Indian priests, a tradition begun by
Sankaracharya, the 8th century Hindu reformer and revivalist.
Tungnath’s lonely eminence gives it a magic of its own. To get there (or beyond
it), one passes through some of the most delightful temperate forest in the
Garhwal Himalayas. Pilgrim or trekker, or just plain rambler like myself, one
comes away really like before mankind began to strip it bare.
Rudranath – 3rd Pancha Kedar
The face of Lord Shiva is worshipped at Rudranath temple in a natural rock temple as Neelkantha Mahadeva. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Neelkantha. The temple is situated amid thick forest at a height 2286 mtrs. From Gopeshwar 4 kms drivable road is available upto village Sagar from where 20 kms. trek leads to Rudranath and can be approached from Joshimath as well, by trekking about 45 kms. The temple provides magnificent view of Hathi Parvat , Nandadevi, NandaGhunti, Trishuli and many other.
There are numbers of holy Kunds (Tanks)
near Rudranath temple namely Suryakund, Chandrakund, Tarakund etc. The
Baitarini, the divine river flows pass behind the temple. Anusuya Devi temple
is located on the trek to Rudranath involving an additional trek of 3km. This is the only temple in India where the image of Shiva is
worshipped as a symbol of his face, a sublime, tender aspect of Shiva, unusual,
serene and beautiful indeed to behold.
Devotees come to Rudranath to offer ritual obeisance to
their ancestors, for it is here, at Vaitarani river (the water of salvation),
that the souls of the dead cross when changing world.
Madhyamaheshwar
–4th
Pancha Kedar
The stomach of Shiva is believed to have emerged at
Madmaheshwar. The temple of Madmaheshwar is located at an altitude of 3,289 m.
above sea level, on the slope of a ridge, 25 km northeast of Guptakashi. There
is a motorable road from Guptakashi to Kalimath. The best statue of Har Gauri
in India measuring over a metre high is found in the Kali temple. The trek from
Kalimath to Madmaheshwar is distinguished by wild unparalleled scenic beauty
and engulfed by Chaukhamba, Kedarnath and Neelkanth peaks. Gaundar at the
confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga and Markanga Ganga, is the last settlement
before one reaches Madmaheshwar.
Located at the base of
Chaukhamba peak at an altitude of 3289 m the classic temple architecture
belongs to the North-Indian style. So sanctified is the water here that even a
few drops are considered sufficient for ablution. The natural scenery is
dramatically wild, with deep gorges & valleys, mountain sides flung upwards
towards the skies, the forests where the snow lies thick in winter, only to be
replaced by a carpet of greenery in the summer. Kedarnath & Neelkanth peaks
are visible from here, the entire ring of mountains associated with the life
& times of Shiva. The confluence of Madmaheshwar Ganga just short of the
temple, is one of the prettiest spots in the region.
Kalpeshwar
–5th Pancha Kedar
The hardier tourist may like to trek about 35 km to Kalpeshwar, where the locks (hair) and head, of Lord Shiva are worshipped as JATADHAR.
Located in Urgam Valley at an altitude of 2,134 m. above sea
level, the temple is a further 10 km trek from Rudranath to Helong, the motor
head on Rishikesh-Badrinath route. The small rock temple of Kalpeshwar is where
the Hair appeared. Short of Kalpeshwar is the picturesque valley of
Urgam.
It is a favorite location of meditating sages. Legend has it
that the sage Arghya had performed austerities here and created the nymph,
Urvashi. Rishi Durvasa is also believed to have meditated here under the
wish-fulfilling tree, Kalpavriksha. The sage had given Kunti the boon that she
could invoke any of the forces of nature and they would appear before her and
grant whatever she desired. Known for his quick temper, Rishi Durvasa is often
recalled in context of the incident when, along with several disciples, he
visited Kunti's sons, while they were in exile. He indicated that he and his
disciples expected food. There was not a grain to cook. Lord Krishna who
appeared and miraculously solved the problem answered an anxious Draupadi’s
prayers.
Check out Romolia
Butalia’s
account
After you have sought Shiva's darshan by completing the
Panch Kedar, you must go to
Badrinath and make Vishnu your witness that you have sought Shiva
Here is Badrinath
