केदारनाथ- A Mystery Pilgrimage
Every year, during summer tourists from all over the world visit this holy destination of Kedarnath in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand to get the blessings of almighty Lord Shiva. A Kedarnath pilgrimage is incomplete without a visit to the 1000-year-old Kedarnath Temple, which was built using large slabs of stone on a 6-foot-high rectangular base.
This old and glorious temple is in the Rudra Himalayan range on the banks of the River Mandakini. This thousand year old temple was built using massive stone blocks over a large quadrangular podium. Climbing through the large steps that lead to the holy sanctum you will find Pali inscriptions on the stairs. The walls of the temple’s sanctum are decorated with figures of various divinities and sections from mythology. Outside the temple door, a large statue of the Nandi stands guard.
We took the helicopter to Kedarnath and I think it was a smart decision because we were not worn out and did not have aching body parts when we went for the evening Aarti. That experience left me mesmerized because I did not experience something like this before.....it was like looking and listening to a musical play/opera dedicated to Kedarnath Ji !
Participating in the Maha Abhishekam at 4 am is very much recommended if one can afford the cost of 6,600 IRS.It was tough waking up at 3 am in a room with no heat, and no hot water but, I forgot it all as soon as I got to the temple. We were allowed in the inner sanctum of the temple and actively participated in the Abhishekam...I did not travel thousands of miles to only get a second glance of the Shiv Ling but, was able to touch and prostrate many times! ( I would have been okay with even a glance for a second because there is other place like this on earth....except Mount Kailash and Badrinath!!
We spent the night in Kedarnath and I would recommend staying at the temple Guest Houses because the place is very well maintained and also there are electric heaters.
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