Kedarnath
Tradition says the Pandavas sought Shiva here after the war; Adi Shankaracharya revived the shrine. The temple survived the 2013 floods, sheltered by a great boulder.
Sacred origin
[Traditional account]
Seeking Shiva's forgiveness after Kurukshetra, the Pandavas followed him to the Himalaya; Shiva hid as a bull and dived into the earth, leaving his hump at Kedarnath. His other parts appeared at the four other Panch Kedar shrines.
Documented history
[Historical scholarship]
The date of the present stone temple is uncertain; tradition associates its revival with Adi Shankaracharya, whose samadhi is honoured behind the temple. In the June 2013 floods a large boulder lodged behind the temple and diverted the water.
The journey continues for members
- Pilgrimage
Sources
- Skanda Purana — Kedar Khanda
- Shiva Purana