A temple believed to be constructed by Sankaracharya, Kedarnath temple at the Garhwal region of Himalayas gains great religious significance. This might be one among the unique temples that demands a tiring trek to have a darshan of the deity. Winter in this region is so severe that the temple remains closed during those months.
It is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and is closely associated with Pandavas. It is believed that the Pandavas sought redemption from lord Shiva after the Kurukshethra war against their kith and kin. Reluctant to give pardon, Lord Shiva made himself hidden here in Kedarnath in shape of a bull.
The original temple built by the Pandava brothers was a stony edifice and the present temple that has undergone many renovations encompass a hall that has the images of the Pandava brothers, Nandi, Veerabhadra and Lord Krishna. The devotees are permitted to do poojas of their own and it is believed that touching the deity would relieve one from all the sins and fetch them with the much awaited Nirvana.
