Kedārnāth (Chota Char Dhām)

Śiva · Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand

Kedārnāth is the third shrine of the circuit and the only one dedicated to Śiva; it is also a Jyotirliṅga (see that section). The trek from Gaurikund is the most strenuous part of the Chota Char Dhām, and helicopter tickets are booked well ahead in peak season.

The valley suffered a devastating flood in 2013. The temple itself survived, and a large rock that lodged behind it, believed by many to have shielded it, is now worshipped as Bhīma Śilā. Pilgrims should travel early in the day and keep an extra day in hand for weather.

Tradition says that Śiva, hiding from the Pāṇḍavas as a bull, left his hump here, while his arms appeared at Tuṅganāth, his face at Rudranāth, his navel at Madhyamaheśvar and his hair at Kalpeśvar. Together these make the Pañca Kedār, which some pilgrims visit after the main circuit.

Uttarakhand · Jyotirliṅga · Trek from Gaurikund · Winter seat: Ukhīmaṭh

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