The Char Dham Yatra has begun, and devotees are setting out on pilgrimages to these sacred sites. One of these renowned dhams is Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The question arises, how did Lord Shiva earn the name 'Kedar' and how did this site come to be known as Kedarnath?
A popular legend connects Kedarnath to the epic Mahabharata. It is said that after the great war, the Pandavas and Queen Draupadi were tormented with guilt over slaying their kin. Sages advised them to seek solace in Mahadev Shiva for peace. Taking this advice, the Pandavas traveled to Varanasi in search of Shiva, yet he was not found there. They then journeyed towards Kailash, where Shiva again eluded them. Wherever the Pandavas went, Shiva would move to another place.
The Legend of Kedarnath with the Pandavas
The Pandavas eventually reached the Kedar region where they saw Shiva in the guise of a bull. As they tried to approach him, Shiva began to merge into the earth. However, Bhima caught hold of the bull's hump, stopping Shiva from disappearing. At that moment, Shiva appeared in his divine form, granting the Pandavas freedom from their guilt. He then chose to stay in this form as a bull's hump at that site, which came to be known as the Kedarnath Dham.
Source: aajtak
...Yet Another Tale from the Skanda Purana
The Skanda Purana provides an alternative narrative about Kedarnath. It mentions a demon named Hiranyaksha who once took control of the three worlds, driving out Indra and other deities. Left without their heavenly abode, the deva chief Indra wandered along the banks of the Mandakini River in seclusion, deeply troubled and began meditating. Indra performed penance for many years, devoted to Shiva.
Indra's Boon: The Birth of Kedarnath
Impressed by Indra's penance, Lord Shiva appeared as a buffalo. To test Indra, Shiva posed a question, "Ke dārāmi?" meaning 'Whom shall I drown in water?' The words from this question led to the region being called Kedar. This story is noted in the Skanda Purana, referring to the area as Kedara Khand. As Indra contemplated the question, realizing that such profound queries in this solitary land could only come from something divine, he perceived the buffalo to be an incarnation of Shiva.
The Profound Mystery of the Word 'Kedar'
Upon realizing the buffalo's divine nature, Indra revered it as his deity. When the buffalo repeated the question, Indra named five demons threatening the world—Hiranyaksha, Subahu, Vaktrakandhar, Trishring, and Lohitaksha—for Shiva to vanquish. This would consequently weaken the other demons and evil spirits. Shiva, as the buffalo, went forth to battle Hiranyaksha.
Source: aajtak
Shiva's Triumph over Five Demons
Shiva defeated the five named demons and then returned to Indra. There, Mahadev created a sacred water body. Indra, seeking another favor, requested Shiva to reside here perpetually in his lingam form, promising to worship him daily from the heavens. Shiva consented, affirming to remain as Kedar Shiva. It is believed that drinking the water from this sacred pool three times with both hands absolves the devotee's three generations—maternal with the left hand, paternal with the right hand, and self with both.
Those who perform rituals both here and at Gaya are said to achieve enlightenment and salvation. Indra established the Kedar Shiva temple in this region, earning its place as one of the Char Dhams. Pilgrimages take place for six months of the year as the temple remains inaccessible in winter. Kedarnath stands as a symbol of India's ancient traditions and culture. Dedicated to Shiva in the realm of classical music, the ragas reflect his divine essence. Stay tuned for the tale of Raga Kedar in the next chapter...
