Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

 

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located in the Sahyadri Hills of Maharashtra, India. It holds immense spiritual significance and is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Here's an overview of the temple:

Access and Location - Nearest City: Pune (about 110 km away).

Key Features and Attractions

1. Jyotirlinga: The sacred Jyotirlinga enshrined in the temple is the main attraction for devotees.
2. Mokshakund Tirtha: A nearby holy water source where devotees perform rituals.
3. Hanuman Lake: A scenic spot connected to legends of Hanuman’s association with Lord Shiva.

Legends

1. The Legend of Tripurasura and Lord Shiva
• Tripurasura, a powerful demon, performed intense penance and was granted a boon by Lord Brahma. With this boon, he built three impregnable cities known as Tripura and began wreaking havoc across the universe.
• The gods pleaded with Lord Shiva to intervene. Shiva assumed a colossal form and destroyed the three cities with a single fiery arrow, a moment called Tripura Samhara. After this battle, Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested as the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga at this site.
• The sweat from Shiva during the fierce battle is said to have formed the Bhima River, which flows through the region.
2. The Story of Kamalaja
• Goddess Parvati is believed to have meditated here in the form of Kamalaja (one born from a lotus) to support Shiva in his battle against Tripurasura. She is worshipped alongside the Jyotirlinga as an embodiment of divine strength.
3. The Pandavas and Bhimashankar
• According to another legend, the Pandavas from the Mahabharata visited Bhimashankar during their exile. Bhima, the mighty Pandava, performed rituals to worship Lord Shiva here, and the place is said to derive its name from him.

Spiritual Beliefs

• Worshiping at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga is believed to cleanse sins, grant liberation (moksha), and bestow prosperity and peace.
• It is said that rituals performed here with devotion amplify their spiritual benefits due to the Jyotirlinga's divine potency.

Temple Architecture

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple exhibits traditional Nagara architectural style, which is common in many ancient temples of India. The design of the temple is intricately detailed, combining both aesthetic beauty and spiritual significance.

1. Main Sanctum (Garbha Griha):
• The central shrine houses the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, which is the focus of worship. The sanctum is a small, dark chamber, typical of Jyotirlinga temples, where the divine presence of Shiva is most intensely felt.
• The Jyotirlinga is not only a symbol of Lord Shiva but is also believed to be an embodiment of divine light, or "Jyoti," representing the eternal and formless aspect of the deity.
2. Shikhara (Temple Tower):
• The temple has a distinct shikhara, a tall, pyramidal structure above the sanctum, common in Nagara-style temples. This is crowned with a kalasha (a sacred water pitcher), symbolizing divinity and prosperity.
• The shikhara is adorned with various sculptures and carvings of Hindu deities and mythological figures, which are key elements in the temple’s overall spiritual ambiance.
3. Mandapa (Hall):
• The temple features a mandapa (a large hall) where devotees gather to offer prayers. It is supported by beautifully carved pillars, depicting images of deities, animals, and celestial figures.
• The mandapa is where the Shiva Puja and Aartis are performed.
4. Outer Walls and Carvings:
• The outer walls of the temple are intricately carved with depictions of various Hindu gods and goddesses, such as Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya, and scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• These carvings illustrate stories from Hindu mythology and are symbolic of the divine presence and protection over the temple.
5. Other Structures:
• The temple complex also includes a water tank (known as Hanuman Lake) and other smaller shrines dedicated to various deities such as Ganesha and Parvati.
• A large tree (often associated with the spiritual presence of the deity) and pillars with engraved designs are prominent in the surrounding area.

History and Origin of Bhimashankar Temple

The exact historical origins of the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple are unclear, but it is believed to have been a place of worship for several centuries, with a strong association to Lord Shiva and his battle against the demon Tripurasura. Some key historical aspects include:

1. Ancient Significance:
• The temple has been a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus since antiquity. References to the temple appear in ancient texts and inscriptions, which confirm its long-standing significance.
• Shiv Mahapurana, one of the major Hindu sacred texts, mentions the Bhimashankar temple in relation to the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, making it one of the most important places of worship for Shiva devotees.
2. Reconstruction and Restoration:
• The original temple was likely destroyed or neglected over time, possibly during the medieval period when invasions affected many Hindu temples. However, the temple was restored and rebuilt, especially during the reign of the Maratha Empire, which had a strong devotion to Lord Shiva.
• King Shivaji Maharaj and other Maratha rulers were instrumental in the preservation and restoration of many temples, including Bhimashankar, during the 17th century.
3. Modern Development:
• In the 19th and 20th centuries, the temple underwent further restoration, with the addition of structures and improvements to make it accessible to a growing number of devotees.
• Today, the temple is a well-maintained, active place of pilgrimage and one of the most visited Jyotirlingas in India.

Connection to Sacred Texts

The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple is intricately linked to several sacred Hindu texts, most notably the Shiv Mahapurana and the Skanda Purana. These texts provide the theological and mythological foundations for the reverence of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

1. Shiv Mahapurana:
• The Shiv Mahapurana mentions the twelve Jyotirlingas, including Bhimashankar, and emphasizes the importance of these holy sites in purifying the soul and granting spiritual liberation (moksha).
• The text narrates the legend of Lord Shiva’s battle with Tripurasura and the subsequent manifestation of the Jyotirlinga at Bhimashankar, solidifying the temple's place as a sacred site.
2. Skanda Purana:
• The Skanda Purana, another important text in Hinduism, mentions Bhimashankar as one of the sacred places where Shiva is worshipped in his Jyotirlinga form.
• The Skanda Purana details the significance of visiting these sacred places and the benefits of performing religious rituals there, such as abhishekam, pradakshina, and mantra chanting.
3. Other Texts:
• The Padma Purana and the Varaha Purana also highlight the glory of Bhimashankar as a place of divine light, where Lord Shiva's spiritual power radiates in its purest form.
• The Mahabharata indirectly connects to the site through the Pandava brothers, who are said to have worshipped here during their exile.
4. Mantras and Hymns:
• Bhimashankar Stotra: A hymn dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Bhimashankar Stotra is often recited by devotees while visiting the temple. It praises Shiva’s qualities and invokes his blessings.
• Shiva Mantras: The chanting of Om Namah Shivaya and other Shiva-centric mantras is a significant part of the worship at Bhimashankar, as prescribed in the sacred texts.

Significance in the Spiritual Landscape

Bhimashankar holds a central position in the spiritual geography of Hinduism due to its association with the Jyotirlingas—the twelve sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, each representing a different divine manifestation of the deity. The rituals and worship at Bhimashankar are considered a direct means to connect with Lord Shiva's formless and infinite nature.

The temple also plays a vital role in the Shiva-centric spiritual practices, as it is believed that visiting all twelve Jyotirlingas (including Bhimashankar) ensures liberation and purification from sins.

Sacred Rituals at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple

The sacred rituals performed at Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga are designed to invoke the divine blessings of Lord Shiva, purify the soul, and grant spiritual advancement. The temple is known for its daily and special rituals, which attract devotees seeking peace, prosperity, and liberation.

Daily Rituals

1. Abhishekam (Sacred Bath):
• The central ritual performed at Bhimashankar is the Abhishekam (holy bathing) of the Jyotirlinga. Devotees bring offerings of water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, and other sacred liquids to bathe the Shiva Lingam. This is believed to purify the devotee’s mind and body, and enhance the divine blessings of Shiva.
• During the Abhishekam, priests chant Vedic hymns like the Rudra Suktam and the Shiva Ashtakshara Mantra ("Om Namah Shivaya"), invoking Lord Shiva's grace.
2. Shodashopachara Puja (16-Step Worship):
• This is a systematic worship that includes 16 steps, such as offering flowers, incense, water, and the lighting of lamps. The 16 offerings are made to ensure that every aspect of the divine is honored during the worship.
• The 16 steps symbolize a comprehensive devotion to Lord Shiva, ensuring that devotees offer their respect in all forms, from physical to mental and spiritual.
3. Pradakshina (Circumambulation):
• Devotees perform Pradakshina, or circumambulation, around the sanctum while chanting mantras like Om Namah Shivaya. This act is considered to be spiritually significant, as walking around the temple symbolizes a roundabout journey towards spiritual enlightenment.
• The path of Pradakshina is considered sacred, and devotees believe that by completing the round, they are drawing closer to divine energy.
4. Aarti:
• Morning and evening aartis are held at the temple, involving the singing of devotional songs and the waving of oil lamps (diyas) in front of the idol. The Shiva Aarti and Bhimashankar Aarti are especially popular.
• Aartis are performed by priests with offerings of flowers, incense, and Naivedya (food offerings) to Lord Shiva. Devotees participate by singing along or silently offering their prayers.
5. Rudrabhisheka:
• An elaborate form of worship in which the priest chants the Rudra Suktam and Chamakam while performing the Abhishekam. This is done to please Lord Shiva and seek his blessings for good health, prosperity, and spiritual growth.
• It is considered highly auspicious and is performed on special occasions like Mahashivaratri, Shravan Mondays, and Kartik Poornima.
6. Annadanam (Food Offering):
• The temple is known for providing free meals to pilgrims, especially during major festivals. Offering food to devotees is considered a sacred ritual, as feeding others is believed to generate good karma and spiritual merit.
• The practice of Annadanam is rooted in the principle of Seva (selfless service) and is integral to the temple’s community activities.

Festivals and Their Rituals

1. Mahashivaratri:
• This is the grandest celebration at Bhimashankar. Devotees observe a day-long fast and perform night-long vigils with prayers and bhajans.
• Special Abhishekams are conducted, and the temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers.
2. Shravan Maas:
• The month of Shravan (July-August) is considered sacred for Shiva worship. Each Monday of Shravan witnesses thousands of devotees offering water, milk, and flowers to the Jyotirlinga.
3. Kartik Poornima:
• Celebrated in November, this festival marks the appearance of divine light. Lamps are lit around the temple and river to honor Shiva as the source of cosmic energy.

Significance of the Bhima River

The Bhima River holds special spiritual significance in the Bhimashankar region, as it is believed to be formed from the sweat of Lord Shiva after his battle with the demon Tripurasura.

Legends of the Bhima River

• Origin from Shiva’s Sweat:
• The Bhima River is traditionally said to have originated from Lord Shiva’s sweat after he defeated the demon Tripurasura. This river is considered sacred, and its water is believed to have purifying qualities. Pilgrims often take a dip in the river or offer water to the Shiva Lingam during rituals to cleanse themselves of sins.
• Bhimashankar is named after this river, which is central to the temple’s legend and its connection to the divine.
• Sacred Importance:
• The river is a symbol of Lord Shiva’s energy and divine power. It is believed that the waters of the Bhima River help in spiritual cleansing, and many pilgrims bathe in it before entering the temple to purify themselves.
• The river is a source of sustenance for the surrounding areas, as it nourishes the land and is considered a lifeline for the local communities.

The Bhima River and Pilgrimage Rituals

• Pilgrims visiting the Bhimashankar Temple often perform rituals near the river. A common ritual is to offer water from the Bhima River during the Abhishekam to Lord Shiva.
• The river is also considered a sacred body of water during the Shravan month and other festivals, as it is believed to have healing properties. Devotees often take a purifying bath in the river as a part of their pilgrimage.

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple

 

Baidyanath holds significance in both spiritual and historical contexts in Hinduism. It refers to one of the revered forms of Lord Shiva, particularly in the context of the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, which is considered one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in India. Here are some key aspects:

Baidyanath Jyotirlinga:

• Location: The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, and is also known as the Baba Baidyanath Dham.
• Pilgrimage: This temple is a major site for Hindu devotees, especially during the holy month of Shravana, when devotees carry holy water from the Ganges to offer it at the temple.

Medicinal and Ayurvedic Association:

• The term "Baidyanath" is often associated with Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine.

Symbolism:

• Baidyanath represents Lord Shiva's role as a healer and the destroyer of suffering, both physical and spiritual.

Architectural Highlights:

• Temple Structure:
• The temple is built in a traditional North Indian architectural style with a central shikhara (spire) towering above the sanctum.
• The main temple is surrounded by 21 smaller temples, dedicated to various other deities, creating a sacred cluster.
• Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha):
• The sanctum houses the Shiva Linga, which is irregular and cylindrical in shape.
• The linga is adorned with flowers, bel leaves, and offerings from devotees.
• Entry and Ambience: The temple's inner and outer premises are bustling with pilgrims, especially during the month of Shravana (July–August).

The Legend of Baidyanath:

Connection to Ravana:

1. Ravana's Devotion:
• The legend begins with the demon king Ravana, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.
• To gain invincibility and Shiva's blessings, Ravana performed intense penance, offering his ten heads one by one to Lord Shiva.
2. Shiva as Baidyanath:
• Impressed by Ravana's devotion, Shiva appeared and healed his wounds by placing the heads back, earning the title Baidyanath (Vaidya = Physician, Nath = Lord).
3. The Lingam Installation:
• As a boon, Shiva gave Ravana a Shiva Linga to take to Lanka. However, Ravana was warned that he must not place the linga on the ground, or it would become immovable.
• On his way, Ravana was tricked by Lord Vishnu. A local deity, in the guise of a cowherd boy, placed the linga on the ground at Deoghar, where it became fixed forever.

Spiritual Significance:

• The story symbolizes Lord Shiva's compassion and willingness to bless even those who tread unconventional paths to seek his grace.

Rituals and Worship:

• Shravana Mela:
• The most prominent festival is observed in the month of Shravana (July–August), attracting millions of pilgrims.
• Devotees carry water from the holy Ganga (at Sultanganj) in earthen pots and travel barefoot for over 100 kilometers to offer it to the deity.
• Daily Worship:
• Traditional worship includes abhisheka (ritual bathing) of the Shiva Linga with water, milk, honey, and curd, followed by the offering of bel leaves, a favorite of Shiva.

Cultural and Religious Importance:

1. Jyotirlinga Status:
• The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga is considered a key site among the twelve Jyotirlingas, representing Lord Shiva as the epitome of healing and transformation.
2. Spiritual Healing:
• It is believed that praying at this temple can cure physical ailments and bring mental peace, reinforcing Shiva's role as the "Supreme Physician."

Festivals and Rituals at Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple

The Baidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple in Deoghar is a hub of vibrant festivities and deeply rooted rituals that attract millions of devotees annually. Below is a detailed look at the festivals and rituals celebrated here:

Major Festivals:

1. Shravana Mela:

• Timing: The most significant event, held during the Hindu month of Shravana (July–August).
• Key Activities:
• Devotees, called Kanwariyas, fetch holy water from the Ganga at Sultanganj, located about 105 km from the temple.
• They carry the water in earthen or metal pots and walk barefoot to Deoghar, chanting "Bol Bam" throughout their journey.
• The water is offered to Lord Baidyanath during a special Abhisheka ritual.
• Scale: Millions of pilgrims visit during this period, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in India.
• Symbolism: The festival signifies devotion, austerity, and the fulfillment of wishes.

2. Maha Shivaratri:

• Timing: Celebrated in February or March on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna month.
• Key Activities:
• Devotees fast throughout the day and perform night-long prayers and bhajans in honor of Lord Shiva.
• The linga is bathed with holy water, milk, honey, curd, and clarified butter (ghee).
• Significance: Marks the day when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava and also the union of Shiva and Parvati.

3. Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra):

• Associated with the legend of Ravana and his devotion to Lord Shiva.
• Special prayers are offered to commemorate Ravana’s worship and his offering of ten heads to Lord Shiva.

4. Diwali:

• Timing: October–November.
• Devotees light lamps around the temple premises and perform special evening aartis.

Daily Rituals:

1. Morning Rituals:
• Mangala Aarti: Early morning prayers performed to awaken the deity.
• Abhisheka: The linga is bathed with water, milk, honey, curd, and ghee, followed by offerings of bel leaves, which are considered sacred to Lord Shiva.
2. Midday Puja:
• Offerings of fruits, sweets, and other items are made.
• Devotees chant mantras like Om Namah Shivaya and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
3. Evening Aarti:
• The temple resonates with the sound of conches, bells, and devotional songs during the evening aarti.
• The deity is adorned with flowers and sandalwood paste.
4. Special Abhisheka:
• Devotees can participate in personalized rituals by booking a special puja.
• Items like panchamrita (mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) are used for the ritual.

Ritual Practices Unique to Baidyanath Temple:

1. Bel Patra Offering:
• Only three-leaf bel patras are used for worship, and they must not have any cracks or holes, as they symbolize purity.
2. Kanwar Yatra:
• Unique to this temple, the Kanwariyas carry water in pots tied on a bamboo stick (Kanwar) and pour it over the linga.
3. Devotees’ Role:
• Devotees are allowed to touch the Shiva Linga while offering prayers, which is uncommon in most other Jyotirlinga temples.

Other Celebrations:

1. Panchakshari Yagna:
• Conducted to invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings using the sacred mantra Om Namah Shivaya.
• Includes homam (fire rituals), group chanting, and devotional singing.
2. Navaratri:
• Observed twice a year (Chaitra and Sharadiya Navaratri) with special prayers for Goddess Durga alongside Lord Shiva.

Temple Entry and Timing:

1. Temple Timings:
• Opens early in the morning (around 4:00 AM) and remains open until late in the evening (9:00 PM).
• Best time to visit is early morning for the Mangala Aarti or late evening for the Shayana Aarti.
2. Entry Process:
• Footwear must be removed before entering the temple premises.
• Join the queue system to maintain order and respect for the sanctity of the temple.
• VIP passes or special puja bookings are available for quicker access during peak times.

Kedarnath Temple

 

Kedarnath Temple (temple of the God of the field) is a Hindu temple, one of the twelve jyotirlinga of Shiva. The temple is located on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river, in the state of Uttarakhand, India. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only between the months of April (Akshaya Tritiya) and November (Kartik Purnima, the autumn full moon). During the winters, the vigraha (deity) of the temple is carried down to Ukhimath to be worshipped for the next six months. Kedarnath is seen as a homogeneous form of Shiva, the 'Lord of Kedarkhand', the historical name of the region.

The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a 17 kilometres (11 mile) uphill trek from Gaurikund. Pony, mule and manchan service is available to reach the temple. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by the Pandavas, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. The Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The temple is one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas and is the first of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites. This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is one of the 275 paadal petra sthalams expounded in the Tevaram, a sacred Tamil Shaivite text written during the 6th and 7th centuries by 63 saints called Nayanars. This temple is sung of by Thirugnanasambandar, Appar, Sundarar and Sekkizhar in their Tevaram texts.

Kedarnath was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage, but the temple structure did not suffer any major damage, apart from a few cracks on one side of the four walls which was caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains. A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier, protecting the temple from the flood. The surrounding premises and other buildings in the market area were heavily damaged.

History and legends of origin

At a height of 3,583 m (11,755 ft), 223 km (139 miles) from Rishikesh, on the shores of Mandakini river, a tributary of Ganga, is a stone edifice of unknown date. It is not certain who built the original Kedarnath temple and when. The name "Kedarnath" means "the lord of the field": it derives from the Sanskrit words kedara ("field") and natha ("lord"). The text Kashi Kedara Mahatmya states that it is so called because "the crop of liberation" grows here.

A folk legend about Kedarnath relates to the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The Pandavas wanted to atone for the sins committed during the Kurukshetra war. Thus, they handed over the reins of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of the Shiva and to seek his blessings. But, Shiva wanted to avoid them and assumed the form of a bull (Nandi). Bhima, the second of the five Pandava brothers, then saw the bull grazing near Guptakashi ("hidden Kashi" — the name derived from the hiding act of Shiva). Bhima immediately recognized the bull to be Shiva. Bhima caught hold of the bull by its tail and hind legs. But the bull-formed Shiva disappeared into the ground to later reappear in parts, with the hump raising in Kedarnath, the arms appearing in Tungnath, the face showing up at Rudranath, the nabhi (navel) and stomach surfacing in Madhyamaheshwar and the hair appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas pleased with this reappearance in five different forms, built temples at the five places for venerating and worshipping Shiva. These five places are collectively known as Panch Kedar.

A variant of the tale credits Bhima for not only catching the bull but also stopping it from disappearing. Consequently, the bull was torn asunder into five parts and appeared at five locations in the Kedar Khand of Garhwal region of the Himalayas. After building the Panch Kedar Temples, the Pandavas meditated at Kedarnath for salvation, performed yagna (fire sacrifice) and then through the heavenly path called the Mahapanth (also called Swargarohini), attained heaven or salvation. The Panch Kedar Temples are constructed in the North-Indian Himalayan Temple architecture with the Kedarnath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples looking similar.

After completing the pilgrimage of Shiva's darshan at the Panch Kedar Temples, it is an unwritten religious rite to visit Vishnu at the Badrinath Temple, as a final affirmatory proof by the devotee that he has sought blessings of Shiva.

The Mahabharata, which gives the account of the Pandavas and the Kurukshetra War, does not mention any place called Kedarnath. One of the earliest references to Kedarnath occurs in the Skanda Purana (c. 7th-8th century), which contains a story describing the origin of the Ganges river. The text names Kedara (Kedarnath) as the place where Shiva released the holy water from his matted hair.

According to the hagiographies based on Madhava's Sankshepa-shankara-vijaya, the 8th century philosopher Adi Shankara died at the mountains near Kedarnath; although other hagiographies, based on Anandagiri's Prachina-Shankara-Vijaya, state that he died at Kanchipuram. The ruins of a monument marking the purported death place of Shankara are located at Kedarnath. Kedarnath was definitely a prominent pilgrimage centre by the 12th century, when it is mentioned in Kritya-kalpataru written by the Gahadavala minister Bhatta Lakshmidhara. Adi Shankara was believed to have revived this temple, along with Badrinath and other temples of Uttarakhand; he is believed to have attained Mahasamadhi at Kedarnath.

Kedarnath Teerth Purohits are the ancient Brahmins of this region, their ancestors (Rishi-Muni) have been worshiping the lingam since the time of Nara-Narayana and Daksh Prajapati. King Janmejay, grandson of the Pandavas, gave them the right of worshiping this temple and donate the whole Kedar region, and they have been worshiping pilgrims ever since.

According to a tradition recorded by the English mountaineer Eric Shipton (1926), "many hundreds of years ago" one priest used to hold services at both the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, travelling between the two places daily.

Deities and architecture

The presiding image of Kedarnath in the form of lingam is more triangular in shape with a pedestal 3.6 m (12 ft) in circumference and 3.6 m (12 ft) in height. There is a small pillared hall in front of the temple, that has images of Parvati and of the five Pandava princes. There are four temples around Kedarnath itself, namely- Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar which form the Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites. The first hall inside Kedarnath Temple contains statues of the five Pandava brothers, Krishna, Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva and Virabhadra, one of the guards of Shiva. Statues of Draupadi and other deities are also installed in the main hall. An unusual feature of the temple is the head of a man carved in the triangular stone lingam. Such a head is seen carved in another temple nearby constructed on the site where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati was held. Behind the temple is the samādhi mandir of Adi Sankara.

Rituals

The head priest (Raval) of the Kedarnath temple belongs to the Veerashaiva community from Karnataka. However, unlike in Badrinath temple, the Raval of Kedarnath temple does not perform the pujas. The pujas are carried out by Raval's assistants on his instructions. The Raval moves with the deity to Ukhimath during the winter season. There are five main priests for the temple, and they become head priests for one year by rotation. The present (2013) Raval of Kedarnath temple is Shri Vageesha Lingacharya from Davanagere district, Karnataka. Surrounding Kedarnath, there are many symbols of the Pandavas. Raja Pandu died at Pandukeshwar. The tribals here perform a dance called "Pandav Lila". The mountain top where the Pandavas went to Swarga, is known as "Swargarohini", which is located off Badrinath. When Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was leaving for the heaven, one of his fingers fell on the earth. At that place, Yudhishtira installed a Shiva Linga, which is the size of the thumb. To gain Mashisharupa, Lord Shiva and Bheema fought with maces. Bheema was struck with remorse. He started to massage Shiva's body with ghee. In memory of this event, even today, this triangular Shiva lingam is massaged with ghee.

Administration

The temple was included in the Uttar Pradesh State Government Act No. 30/1948 as Act no. 16,1939, which came to be known as Shri Badarinath and Shri Kedarnath Mandir Act. The committee nominated by the state government administers both temples. The act was modified in 2002 by the Uttarakhand State Government, which provisioned adding additional committee members including government officials and a vice-chairman. There are a total of seventeen members in the board; three selected by the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, one member each selected by the District Councils of Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi districts, and ten members nominated by the Government of Uttarakhand. On the religious side, there is a Rawal (chief priest) and three other priests: Naib Rawal, Acharya/Dharmadhikari and Vedpathi. The administrative structure of the temple consists of a chief executive officer who executes the orders from the state government. A deputy chief executive officer, two OSDs, an executive officer, an account officer, a temple officer, and a publicity officer assist the chief executive officer.

More information on Kedarnath Temple, visit official website - https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/destination/kedarnath