12 JYOTIRLINGA - SHRI KEDARNATH JYOTIRLINGA

 

Among the twelve JyotirLingas in Bhagwan Shankara, those in Kedarnath are located in the snow-covered Himalayas. This JyotirLinga is only accessible six months out of the year, from Vaisakha to Ashwin (Ashwiyaja). The end of the year is bitterly cold, and the Himalayas are blanketed with snow.

Therefore, the Karnath temple is always closed to pilgrims. In the month of Karthik, due to the snowfall, the statue of Sri Kedareshwar is removed from the temple after the battle with the ghee (buffer oil lamp), "Nandadeep". After that, the temple is sold for the winter.

From the month of Karthik to Chaitra the settlement of Sri Kedareshwar is transferred to Urvi Math, located in the valley. In the month of valshakh, when the doors of the temple are opened, the lamp "Inanda Deepa" is still burning. People came to see this glorious and devotional lamp in Shiva and felt blessed.

Haridwar or Hardwar is considered a gateway to heaven, a magical city or Mayapur. Before Haridwar, there are sanctuaries such as Rishikesh, Devprayag, the son of the prayer and Triyugi Narayan, Gaurikund. To get to Karnath one has to go through these places. One part of the journey travels by car and the other part of the car leaves. 

This section of the Himalayan route is very difficult and dangerous. But the devotees do all of this with dedication and determination. They overcome all obstacles patiently. To climb a mountain, some use mules, some use Dolis (Swing like carriers), and some use walking sticks.

There are plans to get this here. There are dining and relaxation areas between tired yatris. After arriving in Gaurikund, weary travelers take a bath at places not far away. After this, they took the headless Darshan of Ganesha.

It was here in Gaurikund, where Shiva removed Ganesh's head with his trident and later an elephant's head. Not far from Gaurikund, near the snow-capped mountains "" - - on the banks of the Mandakini River, the gk temple. JyotirLinga of King Shankar appears. This is Kailash, where Lori Shankar originally lived.

But there is no Template image here. There is a high triangular mound. It is said that this is the back part of Mahisha (buffalo). There are different powers associated with this strange idea: During the war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, their relatives and friends were killed, In order to free themselves from this sin, Pandavas went on a sacred journey.

But King Vishweshwara was not in Kailasa in the Himalayas. Upon reading this, the Pandavas, left Kashi. They reached the Himalayan mountains by Haridwar. They saw King Shankar in the distance. But King Shankara hid from them. Then Dharmaraj said, "Oh, Lord, you have hidden from our eyes because we have sinned.

However, we point you to another meeting. After we have taken your Darshan where our sins will be washed away. This place, where you hid, will be known as Guptakashi and become a famous temple. ”The Pandavas traveled from Guptakashi (Rudraprayag) to Gaurikund in the Himalayan regions.

They traveled about in search of King Shankara. While doing so, Nakul and Sahadev came upon a buffalo. It was different to look at. Dharmaraje commented, "It really was King Shankar took this form.

He is testing us. "Then! Beema followed the buffalo with his mound. The buffalo was clever and Bheema could not catch him. But Beema managed to hit the buffalo with his fist.

Beema started pulling at his tail. In this tug-of-war, the buffalo's face faces Nepal, leaving behind Kedar. The face of the buffalo is known as Pashupatinath in Nepal. In the back part of Mahesha, the famous JyotiLinga appeared. Lord Shankara emerged from this great light.

He appeared before the punks. By getting Darshan. of Lord Shankar, the Pandavas forgave their sins. The Lord told the Pandavas, "From now on, I will sit here as a triangular JyotirLinga.

By taking the Darshan of Kedarnath, the donors would gain money, "Near Kedardham, there are many symbols of Pandavas Raja Pandu who died here, when he tried to fall in love with Madri.

Tribes here perform a dance called "Pandav Nritya". The top of the mountain where the Pandavas went to Swarga, is known as the "Swargarohini". As Darmaraja walked to Swarga, one of his fingers fell or fell. In that area, Dharmaraj has installed Shiva Linga, which is equivalent to Thumb.

‘Winning Mahisharupa, Shankara and Beema fought the maces. Beema was overcome with remorse. He started rubbing King Shankara's body with Ghee. To commemorate the event, even today, the triangular Shiva 'JyotirLinga is massaged by Ghee.

Shankara is worshiped here in this way. here. Bel water and water are used for worship. When Nar-Narayan went to the village of Badrika and began to serve Partihiva, Shiva appeared before them. A few days later, the happy Shiva gave them some gifts.

Nar-Narayan wished that for the welfare of humanity, Shiva should remain there in his original form. Giving their wish, in the snow-covered Himalayas, to a place called Kedar, Mahesha himself said and lived there as Jyoti. Here, He is known as kedareshwara.

By visiting kedareshwar, sorrows do not come even in dreams. By worshiping Shambala (Kadareshwar) Pandavas removed all their grief. Badri-Keshwar's Darshan opens one of the material bonds. Near the great temple of Kedarnath, there are many sacred sites.

In the background, there is the Samadhi of Shankaracharya. Growing up, there is a dangerous rock called Bariguptan (Bhairav   Udan). One has to go through terrible, life-threatening situations. But what you get is not Morityu (Death) but Moksha (Salvation). On each side of the temple, there are eight holy places. In short, to say that in order to visit Kedarnath Jyotirlinga, one has to go the treacherous path.

But when people are determined and dedicated, they do not tire out. Everyone keeps singing - Jay Kedarnath! Jay Kedarnath !!