Kedarnath, the abode of Lord Shiva, is home to not one but many mysteries. And it was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period. After that many natural calamities happened here from time to time but the temple was always safe. Even at one time, the temple was buried in snow for 400 years but nothing happened to it.
Miraculously, Bhimshila came behind Kedarnath in the disaster of 2013, which protected the temple. The mystery of Kedarnath covers many miracles from its construction till later. Today we will tell you all the secrets of Kedarnath one by one.
1. Construction of Kedarnath Temple
When you go to Kedarnath, you will see that the temple has been constructed with huge brown-colored stones, rocks, and boulders from Katwan. Interlocking has been done to connect them. Kedarnath Temple is situated at an altitude of 22,000 feet above sea level.
Now the matter of mystery is how these stones and boulders were transported at such a high altitude. Also, how the temple was constructed by placing them one above the other. Such grand construction of the Kedarnath temple can only be imagined in today’s time.
2. Kedarnath buried in snow for 400 years
After the Pandavas, this temple was rebuilt by Adi Shankaracharya. After this, he had taken samadhi behind this temple which is there till today. And after this, the temple was rebuilt by many Indian kings between the 10th and 13th centuries, due to which it was renovated.
In the research done by the Wadia Institute Himalaya, it was revealed that from the 13th century to the 17th century this area was completely covered with snow. Then for about 400 years, the Kedarnath temple was completely covered with snow. Due to this also there was no damage to the temple.
Its proofs are still visible on the walls of the temple. However, after the 17th century, when the proportion of snow decreased, the temple reappeared. After this, the journey to Kedarnath started again smoothly.
3. Shri Bhairavnath Temple near Kedarnath
The famous Bhairavnath temple is situated at a distance of about half a kilometer from the Kedarnath temple. It is also called the Kshetrapal of this region who protects this temple. In the winter month, the doors of Kedarnath temple are closed from the next day of Diwali due to heavy snowfall and after six months they are opened on the day of Akshaya Tritiya in the month of May.
It is believed that in these six months only Shri Bhairavnath Ji takes care of the security of the temple. For all the devotees who come here to visit Kedarnath temple, it is mandatory to visit Shri Bhairavnath temple first, otherwise, the journey to Kedarnath is considered unsuccessful.
Apart from this if you ever plan to go near Joshimath, then you will get many homes there for a night stay. There are many neat and clean homestays in Joshimath that are budget-friendly and where you can rest before and after finishing your trip to recharge your strength.
4. Akhand Jyot burning in Kedarnath
When the Kedarnath temple is closed for six months in the winter months, the unbroken flame here mysteriously remains lit continuously for six months. After Diwali, heavy snowfall starts here, due to which the symbolic form of Lord Kedarnath is installed below in the Omkareshwar temple of Ukhimath.
In these six months, even the local citizens are not able to live there. For this reason, all the devotees, devotees, local citizens, shopkeepers, officials of the Uttarakhand government, etc. all come down from there. This place remains completely deserted for six months and all the routes leading to Kedarnath Dham are also closed.
When the doors of Kedarnath Dham are opened after six months by the priests of the temple, still the unbroken flame is found burning there. Also, it seems that someone had worshiped here only yesterday. Even after the temple has been closed for six months, it seems that the temple has been thoroughly cleaned. This is the biggest mystery among the mysteries of the Kedarnath temple.
5. Bhimshila of Kedarnath Temple
Who does not know about the terrible tragedy that took place in Uttarakhand and Kedarnath in the year 2013? At that time, there was such fierce thunder and rain from the sky, which probably has not happened till today. More than ten thousand devotees were killed in that disaster.
All the rivers were in spate and there was severe flooding everywhere. Then the tremendous form of the flood was also moving towards Kedarnath temple. The Samadhi Sthal of Adi Shankaracharya behind the Kedarnath Temple was completely washed away in the flood.
Even before the flood water reached the Kedarnath temple, miraculously a huge rock came flowing in the water and stopped right behind the temple. Colliding with this rock, the flow of water got divided into two parts and went beyond both sides of the temple.
Today we know this rock by the name of Bhimshila. Whoever goes to visit the Kedarnath temple also worships this rock. It is believed that Mahadev himself had sent this Bhimshila rock to Kedarnath Dham for the protection of the temple.