Kedarnath Temple: History & Significance

Perched at 3,583 metres in the Himalayas, Kedarnath Temple is the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It's also part of the Chota Char Dham circuit, and opens to pilgrims for only a few months each year.

The Pandava Legend

Folk legend holds that after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas sought out Shiva to seek forgiveness for the bloodshed. Shiva evaded them by turning into a bull. When Bhima caught the bull, Shiva sank into the ground and later reappeared in parts at five locations — the origin of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites. It's worth noting that the Mahabharata itself never mentions Kedarnath, which means this story belongs to tradition and devotion rather than documented history.

The Temple's True Age — a Genuinely Open Question

Scholars genuinely disagree on how old the temple actually is, and it's worth stating that honestly:

• Some traditions connect it to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century), who is said to have either attained samadhi or passed away here. A structure said to mark his samadhi still stands at Kedarnath, though traditions differ on where Shankaracharya actually died — some point to Kanchipuram instead.
• The Skanda Purana (roughly 7th-8th century) contains an early reference to "Kedara," where Shiva is said to have released the Ganga.
• By the 12th century, Kedarnath was definitely established as a major pilgrimage centre, as recorded in texts from that period.

There is no scholarly consensus on exactly when the present stone structure was originally built.

The Temple's Structure

The lingam enshrined here is three-sided, with a base circumference of roughly 3.6 metres. The structure has withstood centuries of harsh Himalayan weather, which is itself often cited as evidence of the strength of its original construction.

The Miraculous Survival of 2013

In June 2013, catastrophic flash floods devastated the Kedarnath region, killing hundreds of pilgrims and locals. The temple structure itself, remarkably, sustained no major damage. A large rock, carried down by the flood debris, lodged itself just behind the temple and shielded it from the direct force of the water. Pilgrims now venerate this rock as "Bhim Shila." Later structural assessments by IIT Madras and the Archaeological Survey of India confirmed the temple's stability.

When to Visit

Kedarnath Temple is typically open from April-May to November. It closes for winter due to heavy snowfall, and the deity's utsava murti (festival idol) is carried down to Ukhimath for the six winter months. Reaching the temple requires roughly a 17-kilometre uphill trek, though a helicopter service is also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high up is the Kedarnath temple?

At about 3,583 metres above sea level, making it the highest of the 12 Jyotirlingas.

How old is the Kedarnath temple?

There's no scholarly consensus on its exact age. Some traditions link it to Adi Shankaracharya (8th century), but by the 12th century it was firmly established as a major pilgrimage site.

How did the temple survive the 2013 floods?

A large rock carried down by the flood debris lodged behind the temple and shielded it from the direct force of the water. It's now venerated as "Bhim Shila."

When is Kedarnath temple open each year?

Typically from April-May to November. It closes over winter due to heavy snowfall, and the deity is moved to Ukhimath.

Is Kedarnath part of the Char Dham?

It isn't part of the original, pan-India Char Dham — it belongs to Uttarakhand's Himalayan Chota Char Dham circuit (Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath).