Panch Kedar Travel Guide

Panch Kedar refers to the five temples of Lord Shiva popularly known as Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar. Panch Kedar is one the most difficult pilgrimages in India as routes are difficult to trek with few lodges and eating places. Panch Kedar Trekking

Legend and Mythology of Panch Kedar

The five Kedar lies in the valleys between the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. The term Kedar itself means a natural rock formation or a glacial moraine. According to legend, himalayas Kedarnath, the chief seat of the Panch Kedar, come into being during the period when the five Pandava brothers were asked to seek Shiva's blessings, purging them off sin of fratricide, or killing their cousin brothers in the terrifying bettle of Kurukshetra.

Shiva disguised himself as a bull and started to plunge underground when he was spotted by Pandavas. No wonder the natural rock formation that is worshipped here resembles the rump of bull. The other four places where Shiva is worshipped take their appearance from different part of his body - the navel at Madmaheshwar, the arm at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the matted hair at Kalpeshwar.

When to Visit Panch Kedar

Due to snowfall and harsh winter, Panch Kedar temples are closed during winter except Kalpeshwar. The temples are open from April to November. However, trained trekkers can go during winters but they have to be well equipped with food and trekking gears.

List of Panch Kedar Temples

Kalpeshwar

Kalpeshwar

Kalpeshwar (2134 m) - situated in the beautiful valley of Urgam, here Shiva is worshipped in his matted hair form (Jata). A favorite spots for sages who come here to meditate, following the precedent of... read more »

Rudranath

Rudranath

Rudranath (2286 m) - Rudranath is where the face of Shiva (Mukh) is said to have appeared. Here there is a natural rock temple in which the Shiva Mukha is worshipped. Devotees come to Rudranath... read more »

Tungnath

Tungnath

Tungnath (3810 m) - Tungnath is the place where the arm (Bahu) of Shiva appeared.. The sanctity of the region of Tungath is considered unsurpassed. The peak of Tungnath is the source of three springs... read more »

Madhyamaheshwar

Madhyamaheshwar

Madhmaheshwar (3289 m) - Shiva is worshipped at Madhyamaheshwar in the form of navel - shaped lingum. Located at base of Chaukhamba peak, at an altitude of 3,289 mts, the classic temple architecture belongs to... read more »

Kedarnath

Kedarnath

The holiest of Shiva's shrines is likened to gold among base metals so that every pilgrim finds peace here, and it is said that devotees who die here become one with Shiva himself. The temple... read more »