Kedarnath Jyotirlinga
కేదార్నాథ్
Lord Shiva as Kedarnath (the bull-back of Shiva) · Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district (Himalayas), Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva as a self-manifest pillar of light (jyoti-linga). Located in Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district (Himalayas), Uttarakhand.
Significance
Among the most difficult Jyotirlingas to reach — Himalayan pilgrimage at 3,583m altitude. Open only May to October due to snow. Part of the Chota Char Dham yatra.
Mythological Origin
After the Mahabharata war, Pandavas sought Shiva to atone for killing their own kin. Shiva eluded them by becoming a bull and submerging into the earth at Kedarnath. The bull's back (hump) is the Jyotirlinga form here.
About the 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest Shiva pilgrimage sites in India. Per the Shiva Mahapurana, when devotees compete to claim Lord Shiva's primacy, he manifested as an infinite pillar of light (jyoti-stambha) at 12 sacred locations. Devotees visiting all 12 in a single lifetime is one of the highest pilgrimages (Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Yatra). Reciting the 12-line Jyotirlinga Stotra ("Saurashtre Somanatham...") daily is said to grant the merit of physical pilgrimage to all 12.
Kedarnath at a glance
| Form of Shiva worshipped here | Lord Shiva as Kedarnath (the bull-back of Shiva) |
|---|---|
| Telugu name of the shrine | కేదార్నాథ్ |
| Where | Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district (Himalayas), Uttarakhand |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Order in the traditional list | 5 of 12 |
Kedarnath — frequently asked questions
Why is Kedarnath counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
After the Mahabharata war, Pandavas sought Shiva to atone for killing their own kin. Shiva eluded them by becoming a bull and submerging into the earth at Kedarnath. The bull's back (hump) is the Jyotirlinga form here. Kedarnath stands fifth in the traditional order this site follows, and the form worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Kedarnath (the bull-back of Shiva).
Where is Kedarnath and what should you know before travelling?
Kedarnath, Rudraprayag district (Himalayas), Uttarakhand. The shrine is written కేదార్నాథ్ in Telugu. Darshan timings, the aarti schedule, the queue and road access all change through the year and this site does not publish them — confirm those with the temple itself before you travel.
Which days are kept for Shiva at Kedarnath?
Monday is Shiva's day of the week, and the pradosha window on the trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, the month of Shravana and Maha Shivaratri are kept at every Jyotirlinga. None of that is particular to Kedarnath — the days to look for at this shrine are the ones the panchangam already marks for Shiva.
We do not publish darshan timings, ticket prices or queue lengths for Kedarnath — those change week to week and we have no way to verify them from here. What this site can settle is when: see the 12 Jyotirlinga circuit for the auspicious days ahead, Maha Shivaratri for the principal Shiva night of the year, or the daily panchangam for the tithi and Rahu Kalam on the date you are travelling.