About Panch Kedar
The Panch Kedar are five sacred temples representing Lord Shiva's five manifestations after he metamorphosed as a mighty bull to evade the Pandavas. When Bhim caught the bull, it thrust itself into the earth and emerged in five forms across the Himalayan landscape. These temples, built by the Pandavas, are among the most revered Shiva shrines in India.
The Five Divine Manifestations
The five temples and their sacred body parts are: Kedarnath (hump of the bull), Tungnath (front legs/arms), Rudranath (face), Madhyamaheshwar (stomach/navel) and Kalpeshwar (hair/matted locks). According to legend, when Bhim pulled the bull's tail, the creature stretched — its face turned toward Nepal (Pashupatinath), its stomach touched Madhyamaheshwar, its locks reached Kalpeshwar, its arms fell at Tungnath and its face appeared at Rudranath.
The Panch Kedar Pilgrimage
The arduous trekking through the heights of the Kedar Khand region rewards pilgrims with some of the most spectacular Himalayan scenery — lush greenery, grassy bugyals (flowery meadows), and multicoloured wildflowers. Devotees believe the pilgrimage to Kedarnath is incomplete until all five temples are visited. Each temple has its unique character and setting, from the highest Tungnath (3,680m) to the relatively accessible Kalpeshwar.
How to Reach Panch Kedar
- Base camp at Rishikesh or Haridwar
- Individual temples accessible from different routes
- Kedarnath: Via Gaurikund (14 km trek)
- Tungnath: Via Chopta (3 km easy trek)
- Rudranath: Via Gopeshwar (20 km trek from Sagar village)
- Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, Dehradun
Nearby Attractions
- Kedarnath Temple (highest Jyotirlinga)
- Tungnath (highest Panch Kedar at 3,680m)
- Rudranath (Lord Shiva's face)
- Madhyamaheshwar (Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Kalpeshwar (only Panch Kedar open year-round)
- Chopta (mini Switzerland of Uttarakhand)
Char Dham Helicopter Connection
Kedarnath — the most important of the Panch Kedar — is a key part of the Char Dham circuit. Saffron Chariot's helicopter service takes you directly to Kedarnath, and many pilgrims extend their journey to visit the remaining four Kedar temples by trekking over subsequent days.
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