Kedarnath Dham Gates opening date 2024: Know the Rich History of This Sacred Hindu Shrine
Kedarnath Dham Gates opening date 2024: Know the Rich History of This Sacred Hindu Shrine
Kedarnath is revered as a manifestation of Shiva, known as the ‘Lord of Kedarkhand’. Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, close to the Mandakini River, it lies within the state of Uttarakhand,India. The gates of Kedarnath are set to open on Friday, May 10, 2024 (Akshay Tritiya), as devotees eagerly anticipate their spiritual journey to this sacred shrine. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temple is open to the general public only From Akshaya Tritiya to Kartik Purnima.
History The temple is believed to have been constructed around 1000 A.D., which ranks it among the oldest surviving Hindu temples.According to Hindu mythology, the Pandavas, the legendary heroes of the Indian epic Mahabharata, built the Kedarnath Temple. After the Kurukshetra War, where they fought against their own kin, the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness for the sins committed during the battle.
Kedarnath is part of the Chota Char Dham Yatra along with Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath. The temple is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) and holds immense spiritual significance. It is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas and holds a special place in the hearts of devotees.
Kedarnath suffered the most during the 2013 flash floods in North India. The temple complex, the surrounding areas, and the town of Kedarnath endured significant damage; however, the temple itself remained largely intact with only minor cracks on one side of its four walls, resulting from the debris flow from the higher mountains. A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier, protecting the temple from the flood. While the temple stood firm, the adjacent grounds and other structures in the marketplace suffered extensive damage.