Hinduism has always upheld the principle of karma; the cosmic law of divine justice, and nothing represents this better than the Panch Kedar temples. These sacred shrines symbolize the Pandavas’ quest for redemption and Lord Shiva’s unwavering commitment to justice. Far more than just places of worship, the legend of these 5 Shaivite shrines teaches us that every action, no matter how small, carries its own consequences—and that everyone must bear the fruit or brunt of their deeds, be it kings, warriors, or even gods.
The Pandavas of the Mahabharata waged a war against their own kin, the Kauravas, who had betrayed them. However, their righteous intentions did not absolve them of the karmic burden of killing their brothers. Seeking liberation from this karmic burden, they turned to Lord Shiva. But earning his forgiveness was not easy; as Shiva led them on a journey of profound humility and penance in his own ways.
The legend of Panch Kedar reminds us that justice transcends human laws and true redemption can only be achieved through humility, devotion, and acknowledgement of one’s deeds. This article delves into the legend of Panch Kedar Yatra and explores the sacred journey through its five revered temples—Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.
The Pandavas with Draupadi
The legend of the Panch Kedar Yatra says that after the devastating Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas were burdened by the guilt of fratricide (killing one’s own brothers) and the bloodshed they caused. They sought forgiveness, and on Lord Krishna’s advice, they relinquished their kingdom and embarked on a spiritual journey to find Lord Shiva—the only deity who could absolve them of their sins.
Their quest took them to Varanasi, a city revered as Lord Shiva’s abode. But Lord Shiva, angered by the violence and deceit of the war, evaded them. He fled to the Garhwal Himalayas, hiding in a region now called Guptkashi ("Hidden Kashi”). The determined Pandavas followed him in their penance. Lord Shiva assumed the form of a bull and mingled with a herd to conceal himself. But Bhima, the second Pandava brother, recognised and tried to catch the divine bull. As Bhima grabbed the bull's hump, Shiva began to sink into the ground. Then, the Pandavas realized the Lord’s divine intent and prayed for forgiveness.
Moved by their devotion and repentance, Shiva did appear before them, manifesting his divine form in five distinct parts of the bull’s body, which emerged in different locations across the Garhwal region. His hump rose at Kedarnath Temple, his arms at Tungnath Temple, his face at Rudranath Temple, his navel at Madhmaheshwar Temple, and his hair at Kalpeshwar Temple. Honouring these manifestations, the Pandavas built temples at each site, collectively known as the Panch Kedar. The Panch Kedar Yatra thus marks the Pandavas' atonement.
The Panch Kedar names are Kedarnath Mandir, Tungnath Mandir, Rudranath Mandir, Madhyamaheshwar Mandir, and Kalpeshwar Mandir. Nestled in the breathtaking Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the Panch Kedar sequence is traditionally designated, starting with the Kedarnath Temple, followed by Tungnath Temple, Rudranath Temple, Madhyamaheshwar Temple, and concluding at Kalpeshwar Temple.
Accessible only via trekking routes, the Panch Kedar pilgrimage tests the physical endurance of its pilgrims. Pilgrims traverse dense forests, alpine meadows, and towering peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhamba. The entire trek spans approximately 170 km and takes around 16 days to complete. During winter, when heavy snowfall renders the temples inaccessible, the idols are moved to specific locations: Kedarnath’s idol to Ukhimath, Tungnath’s to Makkumath, Rudranath’s to Gopeshwar, and Madhyamaheshwar’s to Ukhimath, ensuring year-round worship.
kedarnath temple
Situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters, the Kedarnath Temple is the most revered and prominent of the Panch Kedar temples. It is believed that the Pandavas first sought Lord Shiva here to absolve their sins. The temple houses a conical Shiva lingam representing the Lord’s hump and Adi Shankaracharya is credited with establishing it in the 8th or 9th century. Pilgrims undertake a challenging 16-kilometer trek to reach this grey stone shrine, surrounded by majestic snow-clad peaks. Despite the strenuous journey, the spiritual rewards and mesmerizing scenery make it a cherished destination for devotees.
At 3,680 meters, Tungnath Mandir is the highest Shiva temple in the world and the second in the Panch Kedar sequence. This temple marks the site where Lord Shiva’s feet manifested. It is also believed that Lord Rama meditated here to absolve himself of Brahmahatya. Surrounded by peaks like Nanda Devi and Neelkanth, Tungnath offers a stunning trek through rhododendron forests and lush landscapes, making it both a spiritual and visual delight.