Kedarnath — Lord of the Field
KedarnathUttarakhand
c. 8th c. CE; attributed to Adi Shankaracharya
earth
A Temple Record

Kedarnath — Lord of the Field

HinduismShaivism
Enter the Record
↓
I.Overview

A Sacred Site

In Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, there stands Kedarnath — Lord of the Field — one of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites, at 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The temple miraculously survived the 2013 floods.

II.Architecture

The Built Form

Dravidian

1
Gopurams
12m
Height
0
2
Hectares

Vimana / Gopuram

Dravidian vimana over the sanctum — gopuram gateway with pillared mandapas

Sanctum Sanctorum

Garbhagriha — Gopuram gateway with pillared mandapas

Construction Material

granite

One of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites, at 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river

§Plan View

An architectural reading of Kedarnath — Lord of the Field — a top-down plan derived from the temple's recorded data.

SanctumVimana 12mEast GopuramN
Legend
Gopurams (1)
Vimana & Sanctum
III.Timeline

Sacred Timeline

  1. 2013 Uttarakhand floods

    The temple miraculously withstood a wall of water and boulders that destroyed everything around it

  2. Winter migration

    The deity is carried to Ukhimath for six months — one of the few mobile divine residences in Hinduism

V.Patrons

Royal Patrons

  1. Adi Shankaracharya

VII.Trade

Trade Routes

  1. Himalayan pilgrimage route — part of the Char Dham circuit connecting Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath

X.Sacred Story

A Temple Record

An editorial reading of the site, woven from its architectural, historical, and scriptural data.

In Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, Kedarnath — Lord of the Field — a c. 8th c. ce; attributed to adi shankaracharya site — one of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites, at 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The temple miraculously survived the 2013 floods.

§Historical Arc

The site is associated with the reign of Adi Shankaracharya. The earliest event recorded here is 2013 uttarakhand floods. Through the centuries, the temple witnessed winter migration. The temple miraculously withstood a wall of water and boulders that destroyed everything around it.

§Reading the Built Form

Built in the Built in the Dravidian tradition, the temple's 1 gopurams rise 12 metres into the sky the garbhagriha holds garbhagriha — gopuram gateway with pillared mandapas . One of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites, at 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river

2013 Uttarakhand floods
§A Visitor's Approach

01Walk the pradakshina path. Note the earliest event recorded here — 2013 uttarakhand floods.

02Look up. The vimana above the sanctum is the temple's vertical sermon — each tier a step toward the divine.

03The tradition here is hinduism. Sit. Listen. The darshan is its own teaching.

§Practical Notes
When to Visit
Open year-round. Visit at dawn for the deepest quiet.
Tradition
Hinduism · Shaivism
Historical Depth
2 recorded events

End of record · Kedarnath Temple

§Sacred Connections

Other sites derived from shared frontmatter data — tradition, era, region, or built form.

Of the Same Tradition

6

Ashta-Lakshmi

Hinduism

Kurma

Hinduism

Mahavidyas

Hinduism

Matsya

Hinduism

Narayana

Hinduism

Durga and Kali

Hinduism

Of the Same Era

1
Badrinath — The Abode of Vishnu

Badrinath — The Abode of Vishnu

c. 8th c. CE; attributed to Adi Shankaracharya

In the Same Region

6

Kedārnāth Jyotir-liṅga

Kedarnath, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Badri-narayana

Badrinath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Nāra-Nārāyaṇa Caves of Badri

Badrinath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Badrinath

Badrinath, Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Bhārat Mātā Mandir

Haridwar (Bharat Mata Mandir), Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Chandi Devi Haridwar

Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Of the Same Architectural Style

6
Ahobilam Narasiṁha — 9 forms

Ahobilam Narasiṁha — 9 forms

Dravidian

Alwarthirunagari

Dravidian

Amarnath — The Ice Lingam

Amarnath — The Ice Lingam

Dravidian

Amarnath — The Ice Linga

Amarnath — The Ice Linga

Dravidian

Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Dravidian

Badri-narayana

Badri-narayana

Dravidian

vahana: "Nandi (sacred bull)" sacred_colours:

  • saffron
  • white
  • gold sacred_flowers:
  • lotus
  • tulasi
  • jasmine sacred_flowers:
  • lotus
  • tulasi
  • champaka sacred_trees:
  • peepal
  • bilva (bael)
  • tulasi sacred_animals:
  • Nandi (sacred bull)
  • peacock
  • elephant sacred_colours:
  • saffron
  • white
  • gold vahana: "Nandi (sacred bull)" primary_scriptures:
    • title: "Skanda Purana — temple kshetra mahatmya" type: "purana" festival_dates:
  • "Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar)"
  • "Diwali (Oct–Nov)"

Kedarnath Temple — The Abode in the Snow

Survival Against Nature

One of the Char Dham and Panch Kedar pilgrimage sites, at 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The temple is built of massive stone slabs that have survived earthquakes and glacier movements. In the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, the temple miraculously withstood a wall of water and boulders that destroyed everything around it.

The Mobile Deity

The temple is closed for six winter months; the deity is carried in a palanquin to Ukhimath, where worship continues — one of the few examples of a mobile divine residence in Hinduism. This practice reflects the practical challenges of Himalayan worship.

Adi Shankara's Legacy

Tradition attributes the temple to Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have established the Kedarnath shrine as part of his mission to revive Hinduism. The samadhi (memorial) behind the temple is believed to mark his final resting place.

Standard Disclaimer

⚠️ This entry is REVIEWED — Advisory Council review pending.

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