If you’re planning a religious trip to Uttarakhand and wondering about Jyotirlingas, here’s everything you need to know. Uttarakhand is home to one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in India – the famous Kedarnath Temple.
What is a Jyotirlinga?
Before we talk about Uttarakhand’s Jyotirlinga, let’s understand what a Jyotirlinga actually is. The word “Jyotirlinga” means “pillar of light.” According to Hindu beliefs, these are sacred places where Lord Shiva appeared as a huge column of light. There are only 12 Jyotirlingas in all of India, and each one is considered extremely holy.
The Answer: Only One Jyotirlinga in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand has only ONE Jyotirlinga – Kedarnath Temple
Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is considered paramount among all Jyotirlingas because of its location high in the Himalayas.
Why Kedarnath is Special
Location and Height
Kedarnath is situated at approximately 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level, making it the highest Jyotirlinga among all twelve. The temple sits near the Mandakini River in the beautiful Garhwal Himalayan range.
Religious Importance
Kedarnath is not just a Jyotirlinga. It is also:
- Part of the famous Char Dham Yatra (four holy places in Uttarakhand)
- The first temple of Panch Kedar (five temples dedicated to Lord Shiva)
- One of the most important pilgrimage sites in North India
The Story Behind Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
There are two main stories explaining how Kedarnath became a Jyotirlinga:
Story 1: The Pandavas’ Search for Forgiveness
After the great war of Mahabharata, the five Pandava brothers felt guilty about killing their relatives in the war. They wanted Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. However, Lord Shiva didn’t want to forgive them easily and kept hiding from them.
Finally, Lord Shiva took the form of a bull and tried to escape by going into the ground. When Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers) caught the bull’s tail, Lord Shiva went deeper into the earth. Only his hump remained visible at Kedarnath, while other body parts appeared at different locations.
These five places where Lord Shiva’s body parts appeared are called Panch Kedar:
- Kedarnath – The hump
- Tungnath – The arms
- Rudranath – The face
- Madhyamaheshwar – The belly
- Kalpeshwar – The hair
Story 2: The Prayer of Nara and Narayana
Two great sages, Nara and Narayana, performed deep meditation at Badrinath for many years. When Lord Shiva appeared before them, pleased with their devotion, they asked him to stay there forever. Lord Shiva agreed and established himself as a Jyotirlinga at Kedarnath.
About Kedarnath Temple
Temple History
The current temple structure was built by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya around 1,200 years ago. However, many believe the original temple was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period.
Temple Architecture
The temple is built using large stone slabs on a rectangular base. Inside the main prayer hall, you’ll find:
- Statues of the five Pandava brothers
- Images of Goddess Parvati
- A statue of Nandi (Lord Shiva’s bull)
- Other Hindu gods and goddesses
The main Jyotirlinga inside the temple is shaped like a triangle and is quite unique.
When to Visit Kedarnath
Opening and Closing Dates
The temple is not open throughout the year due to heavy snowfall in winter. Here’s what you need to know:
Opening Time: April or May (usually on Akshaya Tritiya) Closing Time: October or November (usually on Kartik Purnima) Daily Timings: Morning 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Evening 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
During winter months (November to April), the temple remains closed, and the idol is moved to Ukhimath for worship.
Best Time to Visit
The best months to visit Kedarnath are:
- May to June: Pleasant weather, but crowded
- September to October: Clear skies after monsoon, fewer crowds
Avoid visiting during July-August as these are monsoon months with risk of landslides.
How to Reach Kedarnath
By Air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 239 km from the trek starting point. From there, you need to take a taxi or bus to Gaurikund.
By Train
Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest major railway station, about 216 km away. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Gaurikund.
By Road
You can drive or take buses from major cities like:
- Delhi to Gaurikund: About 450 km
- Haridwar to Gaurikund: About 240 km
- Rishikesh to Gaurikund: About 220 km
The Trek
From Gaurikund, you need to trek 16 kilometers to reach Kedarnath Temple. The trek usually takes 6-8 hours depending on your fitness level.
Trek Options:
- Walk on foot (most common)
- Hire a pony (horse)
- Use a palanquin/doli (carried by people)
- Take a helicopter (from Phata, Guptkashi, or Sitapur)
Other Shiva Temples in Uttarakhand
While Uttarakhand has only one Jyotirlinga, the state has many other important Lord Shiva temples:
Panch Kedar Temples
As mentioned earlier, these five temples together form the Panch Kedar circuit:
- Kedarnath (the main Jyotirlinga)
- Tungnath (highest Shiva temple in the world)
- Rudranath
- Madhyamaheshwar
- Kalpeshwar
Other Famous Shiva Temples
- Neelkanth Mahadev Temple near Rishikesh
- Vishwanath Temple in Guptakashi
- Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath
- Tapkeshwar Temple in Dehradun
List of All 12 Jyotirlingas in India
For your reference, here are all twelve Jyotirlingas across India:
- Kedarnath – Uttarakhand (northernmost)
- Somnath – Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna – Andhra Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar – Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar – Madhya Pradesh
- Vaidyanath – Jharkhand
- Bhimashankar – Maharashtra
- Trimbakeshwar – Maharashtra
- Grishneshwar – Maharashtra
- Kashi Vishwanath – Uttar Pradesh
- Nageshwar – Gujarat
- Rameshwaram – Tamil Nadu (southernmost)
Tips for Kedarnath Yatra
What to Carry
- Warm clothes (nights are very cold even in summer)
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Raincoat or umbrella
- Walking stick
- Basic medicines and first aid
- Glucose and energy snacks
- Valid photo ID proof
- Enough cash (ATMs are limited)
Health Precautions
- Start walking slowly to get used to high altitude
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid heavy meals
- Don’t rush – take breaks during the trek
- If you feel breathless or dizzy, rest immediately
Booking and Planning
- Book your accommodation in advance, especially for peak season
- Register online before starting your journey
- Check weather forecast before traveling
- Keep emergency contact numbers handy
Important Things to Remember
- The trek can be challenging for elderly people and kids
- Mobile network is limited on the trek route
- Carry your own medicines as medical facilities are basic
- Respect the religious sentiments of other pilgrims
- Don’t litter – keep the mountains clean
The 2013 Kedarnath Disaster
In June 2013, Kedarnath faced terrible floods that destroyed much of the surrounding area. However, the main temple structure survived with minimal damage. A large rock acted as a shield and protected the temple. This incident made people believe even more strongly in the divine power of this holy place.
Why Visit Kedarnath Jyotirlinga?
Visiting Kedarnath is not just about seeing a temple. It’s a complete spiritual experience that offers:
Spiritual Benefits:
- Blessings of Lord Shiva
- Peace of mind and inner calm
- Cleansing of sins (according to Hindu beliefs)
- Spiritual growth and devotion
Natural Beauty:
- Stunning Himalayan mountain views
- Beautiful valleys and rivers
- Snow-covered peaks
- Fresh mountain air
Personal Growth:
- Testing your physical strength through the trek
- Learning patience and determination
- Connecting with nature
- Meeting fellow devotees from across India
Conclusion
To answer the main question: Uttarakhand has only ONE Jyotirlinga, which is at Kedarnath Temple. This makes Kedarnath extremely special and important for Lord Shiva devotees across India and the world.
The combination of religious importance, natural beauty, and the challenging trek makes Kedarnath Yatra one of the most rewarding pilgrimages you can do. Whether you’re deeply religious or simply love mountains, Kedarnath has something special to offer everyone.
If you’re planning to visit this sacred Jyotirlinga, make sure to prepare well, stay safe, and enjoy the spiritual journey. The blessings you receive and the memories you create will stay with you forever.
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