Stuti & Sloka for the Temple
तुषारादिम् समारुह्य केदारं वीक्ष्य यत्फलं
तत्फलं सप्तगुणितं काश्यां केदारदर्शने
The above Shloka has been taken from Skanda Purana Kashi Khand, Chapter 77, Shlok 46, Where Lord Shiva is saying that "Worshiping the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Kashi will yield seven times more punya which accrues from worshiping the Kedarnath shivling in the Himalayas.
Story of the Temple
There was a Rishi named 'Mandhata' who was doing Dhyana to appease Lord Shiva at Kailash. Lord Shiva gave him darshans and blessed Rishi Mandhata but also directed him to go to Kashi and perform his Dhyan there.
On Makar Sankranti in Kashi, Rishi Mandhata had prepared 'Khichadi' Bhog to do Bhojan sewa to Sadhu and Sanyasis. Rishi Mandhata worked hard for the entire day, and managed to cook the food.
After feeding all the Sanyasis, Rishi Mandhata himself sat down to eat the remaining portion of Khichadi Bhog. Just at the same time, Rishi Mandhata saw a weak and old monk coming to eat Bhojan, due to which he was in a dilemma about whether he should give the remaining food to the old Sanyasi or take it himself.
Rishi Mandhata decided to divide the remaining portion of Khichadi into two equal halves, between him and the old Sanyasi. But in reality it was not an old Sanyasi, but it was Lord Shiva himself who had come to give him darshans.
Lord Shiva gave darshans Rishi Mandhata from the Khichadi Bhog itself along with the entire Shiva family i.e. Gauri, Ganesh and Kartikeya. After darshan, Rishi Mandhata asked God for this wish that he would give him darshan in the same form always. Lord Shiva blessed and obliged Mandhata Rishi with his wish. And the divided 'Khichadi Bhog' turned into a self-manifested Shiva Linga half of which is inhabited by 'Maa Gauri' and the other half by 'Kedarnath'.
This self manifested divine Shiva Ling is ardhanarishwar in nature and is also named 'Gauri Kedareshwar'.
Importance of the Temple
- In the Kedarnath Temple of Kashi alongside Bhagwan Shiv and Maa Gauri reside in one half and Shri Hari Vishnu and Maha Laxmi Devi reside in the other half.
- The Kedarnath Temple Shiv Linga is a self-manifested Ardhanarishvara roop, ideal for the worship of both Shiva and Shakti.
- The Kedarnath Shivling in Kashi is made from 'Anna' which is the very source of life and energy and because of this Maa Annapurna also resides in the sacred Shiv Linga.
- The Kedarnath Temple in Kashi is very dear to Mahadev and is considered as a direct doorway to Shiv Dham
- The Kedarnath Khand of Kashi i.e the locality around the Kedarnath Temple is considered to be the most auspicious place to die on this planet as people who die in
- this Kshetra don't have to face the Bhairavi Yatana.
- Just as it is there in the Himalayas in Kashi also both the Kedarnath and Badrinath Temple are located close to each other.
- The Kedarnath Temple also houses the 56 Vinayak Murty and by obtaining his darshans, devotees attain Punya which is equivalent to having the darshans of 56 Vinayak Yatra in Kashi.
- Neelkanth Mahadev, Meenakshi Devi and Mangala Gauri are among some of the presiding deities in the Kedarnath Temple.
- When Maha Laxmi Devi was cursed by Maa Bhagwati she roamed everywhere but did not receive any peace anywhere, it was only she had the darshans of Kedarnath Mahadevp Laxmi Devi obtained peace and stability.
- On the auspicious day of Karthik Purnima all the 33 Koti Devi and Devtas come to worship the Kedarnath Shivling in Kashi.
- The Kedarnath Temple is unique also in the sense that it is the only Temple in India where from sitting inside Sanctum Sanctorum, devotees can also have the darshans of Maa Ganga.
Pujas Performed in the Temple
Auspicious tithis & festivals of temple
Maha Shivratri: Millions of devotees visit Shri Kedarnath Templeon the great night of Shiva to do Dhayaan, Tapasya, Upasana, Sadhana, Rudrabhisekh, Maha Mrityunjay Hawan & Ratri Jagran in the Shri Kedarnath Temple. On this Maha Shivratri tithi, the temple is decked up to welcome all the devotees who come from around the globe to be witness and be a part of the grand celebration taking place in the dearest land of Bhagwaan Shiva (Most Powerful Temple)
Rangbhari Ekadashi: It is one of the main festivals celebrated in the holy city of Varanasi and all the residents carry out the procession of Mahadev pratima across the city. It is believed that on this day for the first time after the marriage, Maha Shivratri tithi Bhagwaan Shiva along with her eternal consode Maa Annapurna enters his favourite city of Varanasi. Also, the day marks the start of the Holi celebration in the city of Varanasi which continues for the next five days up till Purnima Tithi
Ganga Dussehra: Lord Shiva has a down Maa Ganga in his matted locks / Jatta hence Maa Ganga which flowing uttar vahini in the city of Varanasi is extra ordinary in nature and of special significance for the devotees. On Ganga Dussehra, Maa Ganga enters into pritvi for the first time hence this day becomes exectional for the Aradhana and worship of both Bhagwaan Kashi Vishwanath & Maa Ganga
Karthik Purnima: Also Known as Dev Dipawali this is the most auspicious day for doing Ganga Snaan, Lord Shiva Abhisekh & Deep Daan in Maa Ganga. Every Year more than 1 Million devotees visit Varanasi on Kartik Purnima/Dev Deewali to watch the visual spectacle at display around the Shri Kedarnath Temple premises and access the 84 Ghat of Varanasi. On this day of dev Diwali Lord Shiva killed the Tripurasur demon and hence to celebrate this victorious occasion all the 33 Koti devi and devtas came down to Varanasi and let up the Diyas accorss the 84 ghats of Varanasi. As per the initiative of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, countless Deepak going in millions are displayed with special Ganga Aarti everywhere in Varanasi