Panch Kedar Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, or five shrines of Shiva are the most revered temples in Uttrakhand and known as Panch Kedar. According to Mahabharata, when Pandavas were searching for Lord Shiva, he turned himself into a bull to avoid detection. However, when Bheema tried to capture the bull, it disappeared and later reappeared in body parts at five locations, presently known as Panch Kedar.

Panch Kedar Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, or five shrines of Shiva are the most revered temples in Uttrakhand and known as Panch Kedar. According to Mahabharata, when Pandavas were searching for Lord Shiva, he turned himself into a bull to avoid detection. However, when Bheema tried to capture the bull, it disappeared and later reappeared in body parts at five locations, presently known as Panch Kedar.

The hump reappeared at Kedarnath, the arms appeared in Tungnath, the navel appeared in Madhyamaheshwar, the face showed up at Rudranath and the hair and head appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavs built temples at these five places for worshiping Shiva.

First Kedar Temple -Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Temple The 1000 years old temple with a carved exterior is located in a courtyard protected by Nandi bull. This spot has great significance in the legendary Mahabharata epic. Inside the main sanctum is one of the 12 naturally formed 'Jyotirlingas' of India. The temple has carved shapes of the Pandavas, and Lord Shiva.  Kedarnath is a holy Hindu town located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India It is one of the Char Dhams located in the Himalayas. Kedarnath is situated at an astonishing height of 3584 meters above sea level near the head of Mandakini River. 

Body Part - The hump reappeared at Kedarnath

Second Kedar Temple Madmaheshwar - Madmaheshwar

Madhyamaheshwar is the second temple to be visited in the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit, comprising five Shiva temples in the Garhwal region. The other temples in the circuit include: Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar. The middle (Madhya) or belly part or navel (nabhi) of the bull, considered a divine form of Shiva, is worshiped at this temple. It is a Hindu temple located in the Mansoona village of Garhwal Himalayas, at an altitude of 3625 meters above sea level in Uttarakhand, India.Madhmaheshwar is mystically covered by the snow-capped Himalayas on the right side, lush green alpine meadows on the left side and dense forest act as its backdrop.The shepherd huts, village houses, thousands of years old Madmaheshwar temple and picturesque views complete this town. The temple architecture is a classic north Indian style .

Body Part - the navel appeared in Madhyamaheshwar

Third Kedar Temple Tungnath - Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and is one of the five and the highest Panch Kedar temples located in the mountain range of Tungnath in Rudraprayag district, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Tungnath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains forms the Valleys of Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers. Located at an altitude of 3,680 m (12,073 ft), and just below the peak of Chandrashila, Tungnath temple is the highest Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the second in the peaking order of the Panch Kedar.

It is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath is perched at an elevation of 3, 680 metres above sea level and is considered to be more than 1,000 years old.

Body Part  -, the arms appeared in Tungnath,

Fourth Kedar Temple Rudranath - Rudranath Temple - Toughest Kedar

Rudranath, another form of lord Shiva. In this temple, the face of the Shiva is worshiped. You can also visit the Suryakund, Chandrakund, and Tarakund which is located nearby the temple, back to Panar Bugyal then trek down to Sagar. On arrive check-in at hotel, an overnight stay.

Rudranath is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva, located in the Garhwal Himalayan Mountains in Uttarakhand, India. Located at 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) above sea level, this natural rock temple is situated within a dense forest of rhododendron dwarfs and Alpine pastures. The face (mukha) of god Shiva is worshipped as “Nilkanth Mahadeva” here. Literally, the word ‘Rudranath’ means ‘Him who is Angry’. The temple is surrounded by a number of pools – Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund and Manas Kund – while the great peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Nanda Ghunti rear overhead. It is the toughest trek to reach as compared to other Panch Kedar dham of Lord Shiva. Devotees generally take bath in the Narad Kund prior to visiting the temple .

Body Part - the face showed up at Rudranath

Fifth Kedar Temple Kalpeshwar - Kalpeshwar Temple -Kalpeshwar is the last and fifth temple in the list of Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit and it is the only temple of the sacred Panch Kedars that remains open 12 month of the year. The matted hairs or Jata or Lord Shiva are worshipped inside this Cave.

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of matted hairs at Kalpeshwar and the trail to this sacred shine goes through thick forests and lush green terrace fields. There is also an old Kalpvriksha tree here which is said to be the wish-granting tree in Hindu mythology. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of matted hairs at Kalpeshwar and the trail to this sacred shine goes through thick forests and lush green terrace fields. There is also an old Kalpvriksha tree here which is said to be the wish-granting tree in Hindu mythology.

Body Part - hair and head appearing in Kalpeshwar

Panch Kedar Dham Legend

Out of all the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, the cluster of five shrines of Shiva is the most revered. They are known as Panch Kedar. According to Mahabharata, when Pandavas were searching for Lord Shiva, he turned himself into a bull to avoid detection. However, when Bheema tried to capture the bull, it disappeared and later reappeared in body parts at five locations, presently known as Panch Kedar. 

The hump reappeared at Kedarnath, the arms appeared in Tungnath, the navel appeared in Madhyamaheshwar, the face showed up at Rudranath and the hair and head appearing in Kalpeshwar. The Pandavs built temples at these five places for worshiping Shiva.

Many devotees of Lord Shiva take part in Panch Kedar Yatra to all the five Shiva temples mentioned above. Kedarnath temple is also a part of the Chota Char Dham circuit.  Panch Kedar trek is also popular among younger people who like the thrill of trekking to the holy places perched in the mountains.

Kalpeshwar - Where the Locks of Shiva are Worshipped

Kalpeshwar is the last and fifth temple in the list of Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit and it is the only temple of the sacred Panch Kedars that remains open throughout the year. The matted hairs or Jata or Lord Shiva are worshipped inside this temple.