Panch Kedar

Panch Kedar

Panch Kedar are five Shrine of Lord Shiva where Lord Shiva is worshipped in different forms these five temples are located in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.These five temples, which are together referred to as " Panch Kedar " are: Kedarnath,Madhmaheshwar,Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.

The myth behind formation of Panch Kedar is that after the war of Mahabharta, Pandava felt guilty about killing their blood relatives and  they were advised by Lord Krishna to worship Lord Shiva as he was the only one to help them getting relieve from their sins,but Lord Shiva  was  so disheartened  with them due to the heavy bloodshed caused in the war, and was escaping from Pandavas by taking form of a bull, But Bhima (one of the Pandavas) identified him and caught him by his hump, but the bull ( Lord Shiva) disappeared and dispersed his body in 5 parts it is believed that wherever these part fell is the place where panch Kedar is situated,where the arms emerge at Tungnath, the face appears in Rudranath, the hump rises in Kedarnath, the stomach and nabhi (navel) emerge in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair appears in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavas, pleased with this reappearance of Lord Shiva in five different forms, built temples at the five places for and worshipping Lord Shiva. Panch Kedar opens for a period of 6 months.The best time to experience Panch Kedar is in the months of May, June, September and October. Except Kalpeshwar, accessibility to the other four temples is restricted due to heavy snowfall (during November to April).

Kedarnath-  located at a height of 3584m.

Tungnath- lies at the height of 3680m.

Rudranath- situated at the height of 2286m.

Madhmaheshwar-it is situated at the height of 3289m.

Kalpeshwar- located at a height of 2200m.