Kedarnath

One  of  the  twelve  Joytilingas,  Kedarnath   temple  is  situated at a   height of 3583  mtrs surrounded  by   lofty   snow  laden  peaks  and large   glacier in the backdrop    which  is   the  source     of Mandakini river  and its tributaries. It is believed that Pandavas after killing   their  kith  and  kin  in    the    battle   Mahabharata followed  Shiva in order to be blessed and absolved  them from sin.  But  unwilling Shiva  fled  to    Uttrakhand   and   lived incognito  at  Guptakashi .  On   being traced  at   Guptakashi by  the  Pandavas, Shiva   took  shape  of a  Bull   but   Bhima recognized    him  and  bend  down  to catch him.   Shiva  dived    into   the    earth    and    his    back    portion     (the hump) remained  in  the    hands of  Bhima.     Pleased        with      determination of    Pandavas,       Shiva  exonerated  them from the sin. It is also said that  Shiva’s   head      appeared    at     Pashupatinath temple at Kathmandu and other  parts     ( arms, face,naval and hair) appeared  at Tungnath, Rudranath, Madmaheshwar           and Kalpeshwar   respectively.    Last        four  with Kedarnath are called Panch Kedar   (5 Keadrs).

Rudrapryag    on   the confluence      of Alaknanada and Mandakini rivers is the base point to reach Kedarnath. Rudraprayag can be approached from  Rishikesh  as well as from kotdwara  and  Kathgodam.    Badrinath and Kedarnath          routes       bifurcate        at  Rudraprayag. Route  along with  Mandakini river  leads  to  Kedarnath.  The   road passes through   splendid  view  of   mountains  and singing  Mandakini  to  Tilwara and further to Augustmuni.   Road   coming   from Tehri via Chirvata   meets at  Tilwara. Gupta Kashi is a place where Lord Shiva hidden himself from Pandavas.