Panch Kedar also refered to as a Panch Kedara in Sanskrit is a group of five Mahadev Temples in the Garhwal Himalayas region of Uttarakhand, India. As per the holy scriptures, it is believed that all these temples were built by the Pandavas the heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata.
The pilgrimage follows a fixed hierarchical order involving five sacred temples. These include Kedarnath Temple situated at an elevation of 3,583 m (11,755 ft); Tungnath Temple the highest of the group and well known as the heighest Shiva temple, at 3,680 m (12,070 ft); Rudranath Temple at 3,559 m (11,677 ft); Madhyamaheshwar Temple standing at 3,490 m (11,450 ft); and Kalpeshwar Temple the lowest in altitude at 2,200 m (7,200 ft).
Among these, Kedarnath holds primary importance and forms a key part of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit of the Garhwal Himalayas. The remaining three shrines in this circuit are Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. In addition, Kedarnath is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Understand
[edit]The Legend of Panch Kedar
Panch Kedar has an interesting legend. When the Pandavs went to the Himalayas, Shiv avoided them because they had killed so many people in the war. To avoid them He ran in the form of a Bull, and Bhim chased him. On being followed, the colossal Bull dived into the ground to resurface at other places. He left his hump at Kedarnath. But when he resurfaced, it seems that he had assumed human form and emerged at different areas in these mountains. His face resurfaced at Rudranath. His Arms resurfaced at Tungnath. His navel emerged at Madha Maheshwar. His hair emerged at Kalpeshwar.
These temples of Panchkedar have been and are seats of Tapasyas for sages from time immemorial. It is believed that even today the area abounds with siddhas and sadhaks.
Which part of Shiva is worshipped at which temple?
Hump at Kedarnath: one of the 12 Jyotirlings.
Arms at Tunganath: Highest temple in the region.
Face at Rudranath: Natural Rock Temple. From Gopeshwar drive 4 km to Sagar. Trek 20 km to Rudranath.
Mid-body (naval) at Madhyamaheshwar: 25 km northeast of Guptakashi. From Guptakashi drive to Kalimath and then trek to Madhyamaheshwar.
Hair at Kalpeshwar: Between Rudranath and Helong, a motor head on Badrinath route.
Prepare
[edit]Get in
[edit]Go
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- Day 1
From Delhi drive to 1 Kalimath. Offer prayers to invoke the blessings of Shakti at Kalimath before proceeding.
- Day 2
After Puja at Kalimath drive 70 km to 2 Gaurikund via 3 Guptakashi. Visit Guptakashi temples when passing through the town.. From Gaurikund trek 14 km to 1 Kedarnath. This is 1st Panchkedar.
- Day 3
From Kedarnath return to Kalimath.
- Day 4
From Kalimath trek 16 km to 4 Gaundar.
- Day 5
From Gaundher trek 10 km to 2 Madhyamaheshwar. This is 2nd Panchkedar.
- Day 6
From Madhyamaheshwar return to Gaundher.
- Day 7
From Gaundher trek 12 km to Kalimat. From Kalimath bus to 5 Ukhimath.
- Day 8
From Ukhimath take a bus to 6 Chopta 43 km away. Trek 4 km to 3 Tunganath. This is 3rd Panchkedar. Return to Chopta.
- Day 9
From Chopta drive 30 km to 7 Sagar and then trek 10 km to Panargupha.
- Day 10
From Panargupha trek 12 km to 4 Rudranath. This is 4th Panchkedar.
- Day 11
From Rudranath trek 18 km to Dumuk.
- Day 12
From Dumuk trek 14 km to 5 Kalpeshwar. This is 5th Panchkedar.
- Day 13
From Kalpeshwar trek 9 km to 8 Helang. Catch a bus to Badrinath.
- Day 14
Rest at Badrinath
- Day 15
From Badrinath return to Delhi.