Indian Essays: kedarnath

Short essay on kedarnath temple

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
 
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVO4qqONFs0Nc97SpOQsDLhzmNbwByQWACQigrYZ-1FI6_nS0jEo_47L0dfgW4vhadgUjqSVoCIck0CIwy3eLw9z9JoEm_E_4w6pCWF5rFZtzyIt1JdSQQxgv_UMqANmmNugmruChC58/" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVO4qqONFs0Nc97SpOQsDLhzmNbwByQWACQigrYZ-1FI6_nS0jEo_47L0dfgW4vhadgUjqSVoCIck0CIwy3eLw9z9JoEm_E_4w6pCWF5rFZtzyIt1JdSQQxgv_UMqANmmNugmruChC58/"></a> 
 
One of the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus, Kedarnath Temple Jyotirlinga is located in the picturesque surroundings of Rudra Himalaya Range at a height of 12000 feet on a mountain named Kedar. Near Kedarnath is the source of the river Mandakini that joins Alakananda at Rudraprayag. This place is approximately 150 miles away from Hardwar and 132 miles north of Hrishikesh and is accessible by foot. 
 
The temple at Kedarnath enshrining the Jyotirlingam of Shiva opens only 6 months a year (April-November) when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries and it is closed when the sun enters Scorpio. The priests then go to Ukhimath, where the worship of Kedareshwara is continued during the winter season. 
 
Tradition has it that when undertaking Kedarnath Yatra pilgrims first visit Yamunotri and Gangotri and bring with them the holy waters from the sources of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga and offer abhishekams to Kedareshwara. The traditional pilgrim route is Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devaprayag - Tehri - Dharasu - Yamunotri - Uttar Kashi - Gangotri - Triyugnarayan - Gowrikund and Kedarnath. The alternative route to Kedar from Rishikesh is via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath. 
 
Legend Behind Kedarnath Temple 
 
Legend goes that Nara and Narayana - two incarnations of Vishnu performed severe penance in Badrikashraya of Bharat Khand, in front of a Shivalingam fashioned out of earth. Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in front of them and said that they may ask for a boon. Nar and Narayan requested Shiva to take up a permanent abode as a Jyotirlingam at Kedarnath so that all people who worship Shiva shall be freed from their miseries. 
 
According to yet another popular legend related to Kedar Temple, Goddess Parvati worshipped Kedareshwar to unite with Shiva as Ardhanareeswarar. Besides, the Pandavas are believed to have visited this area several times. Arjuna is believed to have come here to pray to Shiva to obtain the coveted Pasupataastra. The other Pandavas are believed to have come here in search of him, where Draupadi came across the heavenly lotus Kalyana Saugandikam, and requested Bhima to bring here some more of the same. It was during his venturing out to seek these flowers that Bhima met Hanumaan. 
 
Significance of Kedarnath Temple 
 
Located in the lofty Himalayas, Kedarnath Temple is one of the best known Shivasthalams in India and is considered to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of the country. It is believed that by praying to Kedareshwar, one can get all his desires fulfilled. Importance of the shrine can be further understood from the beliefs that Upamanyu prayed to Lord Shiva in this place in Satayuga while in Dwapar, the Pandavas worshipped Lord Shiva here. Even the spiritual leader Adi Sankaracharya is closely associated with Kedarnath. 
 
Structure of Kedarnath Temple 
 
Kedarnath Shrine is scenically placed amidst the lofty, snow - covered mountains and grassy meadows covering the valleys. Immediately behind the temple is the high Keadardome peak, which can be sighted from great distances. It is believed that the temple of Kedarnath was constructed by the Pandavas. At the entrance of the temple is the statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva. Walls inside the temple are exquisitely carved with images. The revered Shiva Lingam housed in the temple is in the unusual pyramidal form. 
 
 </div>

Short essay on kedarnath temple

One of the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus, Kedarnath Temple Jyotirlinga is located in the picturesque surroundings of Rudra Himalaya...

Some Information About Shri Amarnath Yatra

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowJLAAiq5La3lX5xbDhn46SAQ64T5Aa7VcTpALwcyhmPxaJZea6S7diD7KLS13emHzkw0Haih5jycFGqfwos7R0UhDuzTK7a_X5-7AO5KIMSZbHXqM5blkcIaXpr6mFOSRQLfP7WLWDQ/"><img height="229px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowJLAAiq5La3lX5xbDhn46SAQ64T5Aa7VcTpALwcyhmPxaJZea6S7diD7KLS13emHzkw0Haih5jycFGqfwos7R0UhDuzTK7a_X5-7AO5KIMSZbHXqM5blkcIaXpr6mFOSRQLfP7WLWDQ/" style="float: left cursor: pointer; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="320px" /></a> 
 
Behind the discovery of the Holy Shrine lies an interesting story. Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shivji to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala), to which Bhole Shankar replied, “whenever you are born I add more heads to  my bead”. Parvati said, “I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please tell me the reason behind this”. ”Bhole Shankar replied that for this you will have to listen to the Amar Katha“ 
 
“ 
 
With the Amarnath Yatra taking off from Jammu  and proceeding towards the Holy Cave via Baltal route only the next day, the pilgrims embarking on the arduous journey would be allowed to proceed beyond Domel only up to 9 a.m. each day. 
 
Shiv agreed to narrate the detailed story to Maa Parvati. He started for a lonely place where no living being could listen to the immortal secret and ultimately chose Amarnath Cave. In the hush-hush, he left his Nandi (the Bull which He used to ride) at Pahalgam (Bail gaon). At Chandanwari, he released Moon (Chand) from his hairs (Jataon). At the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released the snakes. He decided to leave his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill). At Panjtarni, Shivji left the Five Elements behind (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which give birth to life and of which he is the Lord.  After leaving behind all these, Bhole Shankar entered the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa and took his Samadhi. To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale, he created Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave. After this he started narrating the secret of immortality to Maa Parvati. But as a matter of chance a pair of pigeons overhead the story  and   became immortal. 
 
 
Many pilgrims report seeing the pair of pigeons at the Holy Shrine even today and are amazed as to how these birds survive in such a cold and high altitude area. 
 
Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath Shrine stands at 3,888 m and is 46 Km from Pahalgam and 14 Kms from Baltal. Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to Amarnathji and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Kms from  Srinagar. 
 
Amarnathji is considered to be one of the major Hindu Dhams. The holy cave is the abode of  Lord Shiva. The guardian of the absolute, Lord Shiva, the destroyer, is enshrined in the form of an ice-lingam in this cave. This lingam is formed naturally, which is believed to wax and wane with the moon.</div>

Some Information About Shri Amarnath Yatra

Behind the discovery of the Holy Shrine lies an interesting story. Centuries ago Maa Parvati asked Shivji to let her know why and when he...