Kedarnath in Uttarkhand is the closest Jyotirlinga to Mount Kailash. It is surrounded by snow clad Himalayas at a height of about 3590 meters (10,500 ft). It is a part of Chaar Dhaam yatra. It is rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible for only six month in a year. It is one of the 275 Padal Petra Sthalams (places that were praised by scared hymns).
There are various stories about formation of this Linga.
As per one story Nara and Narayana, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu, performed severe penance by meditating on Lord Shiva. Pleased with their penance Lord Shiva asked them to ask for boon. Nara and Narayana requested Lord Shiva to take the permanent form of Jyotirlinga so that anybody who worships that Linga will be freed from all miseries.
As per another story Pandavas performed penance and meditated on Lord Shiva for the welfare of humanity. Pleased with their penance, Lord Shiva manifested as Swayambhu Linga - lord Kedareshwar (a large expanse of black stone).
According to another legend, Lord Shiva wishing to elude the Pandavas during their final journey, came to Kedarnath as bull (or wild boar). The Pandavas reached Kedarnath temple and Bhima tried to pull the tail of the bull and failed, leaving a hump. It is presumed that the bull went straight to Nepal and formed PashuPatiNath. On this hind part, Mahesha appeared as Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva promised to remain there as a triangular shaped Jyotirlinga. The mountain top where the Pandavas went to Swarga is located off Badrinath. It is believed that Bhima massaged Lord Shiva with Ghee after his fight. Hence there is a practice to massage the triangular Jyotirlinga with Ghee. According to another legend, Nara-Narayan went to Badri village and started worship of Parthivalinga. Shiva appeared before them full-filling their wish, Mahesha stayed at Kedar at Jyotirlinga and he is known as Kedareshwar. It is believed that AdiShankara attained his Moksha on the mountain top. Around Kedarnath temple there are many holy places.
Location - height of 3583 meters, 223 KM from Rishikesh on the shores of Mandakini river, a tributary of Ganges.
There are various stories about formation of this Linga.
As per one story Nara and Narayana, two incarnations of Lord Vishnu, performed severe penance by meditating on Lord Shiva. Pleased with their penance Lord Shiva asked them to ask for boon. Nara and Narayana requested Lord Shiva to take the permanent form of Jyotirlinga so that anybody who worships that Linga will be freed from all miseries.
As per another story Pandavas performed penance and meditated on Lord Shiva for the welfare of humanity. Pleased with their penance, Lord Shiva manifested as Swayambhu Linga - lord Kedareshwar (a large expanse of black stone).
According to another legend, Lord Shiva wishing to elude the Pandavas during their final journey, came to Kedarnath as bull (or wild boar). The Pandavas reached Kedarnath temple and Bhima tried to pull the tail of the bull and failed, leaving a hump. It is presumed that the bull went straight to Nepal and formed PashuPatiNath. On this hind part, Mahesha appeared as Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva promised to remain there as a triangular shaped Jyotirlinga. The mountain top where the Pandavas went to Swarga is located off Badrinath. It is believed that Bhima massaged Lord Shiva with Ghee after his fight. Hence there is a practice to massage the triangular Jyotirlinga with Ghee. According to another legend, Nara-Narayan went to Badri village and started worship of Parthivalinga. Shiva appeared before them full-filling their wish, Mahesha stayed at Kedar at Jyotirlinga and he is known as Kedareshwar. It is believed that AdiShankara attained his Moksha on the mountain top. Around Kedarnath temple there are many holy places.
Location - height of 3583 meters, 223 KM from Rishikesh on the shores of Mandakini river, a tributary of Ganges.
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