Kedarnath Shrine

The Kedarnath Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine located in the Garhwal Himalayan range in Uttarakhand, India. It is exclusively dedicated to Lord Shiva and serves as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are highly sacred shrines dedicated to the deity.

Because it sits at a high elevation near the Mandakini River, the temple can only be accessed by a steep pedestrian trek. Pilgrims must hike approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Gaurikund to reach the temple, though helicopter services are also available.

The exact origins of the Kedarnath Temple are debated, but it is believed to have been constructed from massive stone slabs in the 8th century CE. Legend attributes its initial construction to the Pandava brothers from the epic Mahabharata, while Adi Shankaracharya is credited with its later restoration.

The temple is constructed from massive, evenly cut grey stone slabs, demonstrating a distinct North Indian architectural style. A large statue of Nandi, the divine bull and vahana of Shiva, stands directly outside the main temple doors facing the inner shrine.