Panch Kedar: Its Significance

Panch Kedar refers to five Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. The five temples are:
Kedarnath - represents the hump of Lord Shiva
Tungnath - represents the arms of Lord Shiva
Madmaheshwar - represents the navel of Lord Shiva
Rudranath - represents the face of Lord Shiva
Kalpeshwar - represents the matted locks of Lord Shiva
Today we will know through this post how they were built, how they are different from other Shiva temples?

Table of Contents

1. Importance of Panch Kedar
2. How were Panch Kedar created?
3. Establishment of Panch Kedar
4. In which order should Panch Kedar Yatra be done?
5. In which month should Panch Kedar Yatra be done?
6. Which is the most difficult route to Panch Kedar?
7. How is Panch Kedar different from other Shiva temples?

Importance of Panch Kedar

Panch Kedar Yatra is an important pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. The five temples included in this yatra are Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpanath. Each temple is associated with a different body part of Lord Shiva, which is said to have appeared at these places while he was hiding from the Pandavas seeking forgiveness for his sins during the Mahabharata war. The significance of the Panch Kedar Yatra lies in its spiritual and mythological importance. These temples are believed to be the places where Lord Shiva's body parts fell and the pilgrimage is seen as a way to seek forgiveness and atone for past sins. The yatra is considered a transformational experience, offering devotees a chance to connect with their spiritual self and seek divine mercy. The journey to these temples is also notable for its natural beauty, where the Himalayas provide a spectacular backdrop for the journey. The journey is considered moderately difficult, with a total distance of about 110 km, including the road journey to Gaurikund. The Panch Kedar Yatra is an important part of Hindu mythology and is closely associated with the legend of the Pandavas and their quest for forgiveness. Thousands of devotees visit this pilgrimage every year, seeking to experience the spiritual and transformative power of the journey.

How were the Panch Kedars created?

The Panch Kedars are created through a legend associated with the Pandavas, the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. According to legend, after the battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for the sins of the war. However, Lord Shiva, deeply hurt by the war, hid in the Garhwal region in the form of a bull to escape them. The Pandavas, led by Bhima, pursued the bull, but it disappeared into the ground. The bull's severed body parts reappeared at five different locations, which became the Panch Kedar temples.

Establishment of the Panch Kedars

Kedarnath Temple:
The hump of the bull, which was Lord Shiva's disguise, appeared here. The temple is built around a cone-shaped Shivlinga, which represents the hump of the bull.
Bhima grabbed the bull's tail and hind legs, but it disappeared into the ground, and reappeared in pieces at different places.

Tungnath Temple:
The arms of the bull appeared here. The temple is built in the same architecture as Kedarnath, with a cone-shaped Shivlinga, representing the arms of the bull.

Rudranath Temple:
The face of the bull was revealed here. The temple is also built in the same architecture as Kedarnath, with a cone-shaped Shivlinga, representing the face of the bull.

Madhyamaheshwar Temple:
The navel of the bull was revealed here. The temple is built in the same architecture as Kedarnath, with a cone-shaped Shivlinga, representing the navel of the bull.

Kalpeshwar Temple:
The hair of the bull appeared here. The temple is built in the same architecture as Kedarnath, with a cone-shaped Shivlinga, representing the hair of the bull.

In what order should one visit the Panch Kedars?

The Panch Kedar Yatra begins at the Kedarnath temple and ends at Kalpeshwar. This order is based on the mythological significance of each temple, with each site dedicated to a specific part of Lord Shiva's body. The order is believed to be: Kedarnath (hump), Tungnath (hands), Rudranath (face), Madhyamaheshwar (navel) and Kalpeshwar (matted hair). This order is also influenced by geographical accessibility and trekking routes, as the temples are located in the Garhwal Himalayas, a gradual climb is required to reach the higher and more inaccessible sites.

In which month should one visit the Panch Kedars?

The best months to visit the Panch Kedars are May, June, September and October. The weather remains pleasant during these periods, making trekking routes easier and the temples open to pilgrims. The summer months (May to June) and early autumn months (September to October) are considered ideal for the Panch Kedar Yatra due to relatively mild temperatures and clear trekking routes.

Which is the toughest route of Panch Kedar?

The most difficult trek in the Panch Kedar Yatra is considered to be the trek to Rudranath Temple. This trek is known for its challenging terrain and requires a lot of physical stamina. This trek involves passing through dense forests, crossing rivers and climbing steep hills, making it a challenging journey even for experienced trekkers.. 

How is it different from other Shiva temples?

The Panch Kedar Yatra is different from other Shiva temples in many ways:
The Panch Kedar temples are associated with a unique legend from the Mahabharata. According to the legend, Lord Shiva took the form of a bull to escape the Pandavas, who were seeking forgiveness from him for their sins. The Pandavas then built temples at the places where Shiva's body parts fell, now known as Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpanath.
Shiva's body parts: Each of the five temples is dedicated to a different part of Lord Shiva's body that fell at these places during his transformation into a bull. These body parts include the hump at Kedarnath, navel and stomach at Madmaheshwar, arms at Tungnath, face at Rudranath and hair at Kalpanath.
Trekking experience: The Panch Kedar Yatra involves a challenging trek through the Himalayas, which is considered a transformational experience for pilgrims. The trek is moderately difficult and requires physical stamina, but it offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
Spiritual significance: The Panch Kedar Yatra is considered a highly spiritual and transformational journey. It is believed that completing the pilgrimage leads to spiritual growth, self-realization, and divine blessings.
Architectural significance: The temples themselves are architecturally significant, with unique features such as the conical Shivalinga at Kedarnath and the intricate stone carvings at Madmaheshwar.