11 Mysteries of Kedar Valley Kedarnath and the Best View Points to Visit

Kedar Valley, also known as the ‘Heaven of Shiva,’ lies in the remote region of Uttarakhand’s Chardham Yatra. Kedarnath Dham belongs to Rudraprayag district and functions as a municipal council town. Pilgrims climb approximately 19 kilometers from Gaurikund, and the trek becomes steeper and more challenging after Rambara.

Overview: Kedar Valley

The  Kedar valley offers breathtaking beauty at every turn. Day or night, the scenery around Kedarnath Temple captivates visitors. Snow-capped peaks, flowing waterfalls, and glaciers hanging on slopes draw attention and admiration.

Kedar Valley View Point

Kedar Valley View Point offers a breathtaking panorama of the majestic Kedarnath peaks and the surrounding Himalayan landscape. Visitors can witness the sunrise and sunset painting the snow-capped mountains in golden hues, creating a mesmerizing visual experience. T

he viewpoint is accessible via scenic trails, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying fresh mountain air. Every step at Kedar Valley View Point unveils stunning vistas, making it a must-visit destination for adventure seekers and photography enthusiasts alike.

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Kedarnath Temple

Perched at an altitude of 11,755 feet, Kedarnath Temple has been mentioned in records since the 7th–8th century. The Kedar valley spreads across an area of 2.75 square kilometers. The distance from Rishikesh to Kedarnath measures 223 kilometers, and the Mandakini River originates here.

While trekking, the Himalayan mountains—both snowy and lush green—offer relief from fatigue. If you feel exhausted, pause for a few moments to absorb the stunning views; your tiredness will fade away.

During winter, Kedarnath Temple and the town remain closed. Heavy snowfall accumulates, and temperatures drop below zero. Residents descend to lower areas from November to April. Business activities halt, and the festive deity is relocated to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, near Guptkashi.

Kedarnath Peak

Behind the town, Kedarnath Peak rises majestically at 22,769 feet, accompanied by Kedar Dome at 22,411 feet. Several other tall peaks form part of the Gangotri mountain group in the Western Garhwal Himalaya belt. These peaks lie about 15 kilometers from Gaumukh, where water flows from the Gangotri Glacier, located on the other side of the range.

In 1947, Swiss climbers conquered Kedarnath Peak and Dome for the first time. Later, Hungarian mountaineers ascended the eastern end of Kedarnath Dome.

Jyotirlingas of India

In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Temple stands majestically on the Kedarnath Peak of the Garhwal Himalayas. This temple houses one of the 12 supreme Jyotirlingas of India, the Kedareswar Jyotirlinga.

The entire region is popularly known as Kedarnath Dham and forms the smallest of the four Chardham pilgrimage sites.

Kedarnath Dham and its temple are surrounded by numerous legends and mystical stories. Here are 10 mysterious facts about this sacred place that every traveler and devotee should know:

Mystery of the Shivalinga’s Origin:

According to ancient scriptures, the great sages Nar and Narayan performed intense penance on the Kedarnath Peak of the Himalayas as avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Pleased with their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and granted their wish to reside forever as a Jyotirlinga at this sacred site. This holy place sits majestically on the Kedarnath Peak of the Himalayan mountain range.

1.  Kedar Valley features two prominent peaks:

Nar and Narayan Mountains. This penance site honors Nar and Narayan Rishis, counted among the 24 incarnations of Vishnu. Meanwhile, Badrinath Dham, where Lord Vishnu rests, lies nearby. Tradition holds that during the Satya Yuga, Narayan established Badrinath Dham. The Koti Rudra Samhita of the Shiv Purana also affirms this sacred connection between the two sites.

2. The Pandava Legend:

According to ancient tales, when the Pandavas were nearing their departure to heaven, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a buffalo. He merged into the earth, but before fully disappearing, Bhima caught his tail.

The spot where Bhima performed this act is now known as Kedarnath Dham, while the location where Shiva’s head emerged became Pashupatinath in Nepal. The Puranas narrate this story in detail under the name Panch Kedar Legend.

3. Kedarnath and Pashupatinath :

Kedarnath Temple, located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is considered an Ardha Jyotirlinga (half Jyotirlinga). When combined with the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal, it forms the complete Shivalinga.

The self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shivalinga here is extremely ancient. The original temple construction is attributed to Jambheshwar, while Adi Shankaracharya later restored it.

4. Kedarnath and Rameshwaram :

Kedarnath Temple is said to be in direct alignment with Rameshwaram Temple. Between these two temples lie Kaleshwar (Telangana), Srikalahasti (Andhra Pradesh), Ekambareswarar (Tamil Nadu), Arunachal Temple (Tamil Nadu), and Tilaivan Nataraja Temple (Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu). These temples represent the five elements (Panchabhutas) in Shiva worship.

5. Buried Under Snow for 400 Years:

The earliest temple behind the current Kedareshwar Temple was built by the Pandavas, but time and natural elements caused it to disappear. In the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya constructed a new temple, which remained buried under snow for 400 years.

This construction was undertaken by Adi Shankaracharya, born in 508 CE, who passed away in 476 CE. His samadhi lies behind the temple. The garbhagriha (sanctum) is ancient, dating approximately to the 8th century. Later, in the 10th century, King Bhoja of Malwa renovated it, followed by another restoration in the 13th century.

6.  Survived 400 Years Under Snow:

The Kedarnath Temple remained completely buried under snow for centuries yet emerged fully intact. According to Vijay Joshi, a Himalayan geological scientist at Wadia Institute, Dehradun, a mini ice age occurred between the 13th and 17th centuries, during which large areas of the Himalayas, including the temple region, remained under ice. Scientists observe traces of this period on the temple walls and stones even today.

Kedarnath lies on a part of the Chorabari Glacier, and researchers warn that glacial melting and shifting rocks may cause future natural disasters.

7. Lamp Burns Continuously for Six Months:

During winter, the temple gates close after the second day of Diwali, but a lamp continues to burn inside for six months. Priests carry the deity and ceremonial staff to Ukhimath, located downhill, where worship continues. When the temple reopens in May, pilgrims witness pristine conditions, as if nothing changed during the six months.

8. Kedarnath Disappear According to the Puranas:

Ancient scriptures predict that the entire Kedarnath pilgrimage area may vanish. Legends say that if the Nar and Narayan Peaks merge, the route to Badrinath will close, preventing devotees from visiting. The current Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams may disappear, giving way in the future to a new pilgrimage site called “Bhavishyabadri”.

9. Survived Storms and Floods Safely:

On June 16, 2013, a massive flood devastated Uttarakhand, washing away several strong buildings like cards in the water. Yet, Kedarnath Temple remained unharmed. Remarkably, a giant boulder rolling down the hill stopped behind the temple, splitting the floodwaters and protecting the temple even further. Tragically, around 10,000 people lost their lives, but the temple stood firm.

10. Construction Mystery Still Unsolved:

Kedarnath Temple is built from huge brown-cut stones, interlocked without mortar. The temple stands on a six-foot platform, measuring 85 feet high, 187 feet long, and 80 feet wide, with walls 12 feet thick.

Scientists and historians marvel at how massive stones were lifted, carved, and positioned, particularly the enormous roof resting on pillars. The interlocking technique ensured the temple’s stability for centuries.

11. Nature Changes Around Kedar Valley

The temple is surrounded by three major peaks—Kedar (22,000 ft), Kharsakund (21,600 ft), and Bhartakund (22,700 ft). Additionally, five rivers converge here: Mandakini, Madhuganga, Kshir Ganga, Saraswati, and Swarnagauri.

The Mandakini River, a tributary of Alaknanda, flows beside Kedarnath Dham. In winter, the region accumulates heavy snow, and during rainy seasons, torrential floods can occur unexpectedly. The natural environment remains dynamic, making Kedarnath both majestic and unpredictable.

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