Panch Kedar
Five Shiva temples in the Garhwal Himalayas where parts of Shiva's bull form appeared to the Pandavas
| # | Temple | Location | State | Deity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kedarnath Temple | Kedarnath | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
| 2 | Tungnath Temple | Tungnath | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
| 3 | Rudranath Temple | Rudranath | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
| 4 | Madhyamaheshwar Temple | Madhyamaheshwar | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
| 5 | Kalpeshwar Temple | Kalpeshwar | Uttarakhand | Shiva |
About Each Temple
Kedarnath Temple
Kedarnath represents atonement and divine forgiveness — even the sin of fratricidal war can be absolved through sincere devotion and arduous pilgrimage. The extreme altitude and difficult trek symbolize the effort required for spiritual redemption. As simultaneously a Jyotirlinga, Chota Char Dham, and Panch Kedar site, Kedarnath holds a triple significance unmatched by any other Hindu temple. The triangular lingam representing the bull's hump is unique among all Shiva temples.
Tungnath Temple
When Shiva assumed the form of a bull to escape the Pandavas and dove into the ground at Guptakashi, his arms (bahu) appeared at this location, now known as Tungnath. Arjuna, the greatest archer among the Pandavas, is credited with building this temple to worship Shiva's arms and seek forgiveness fo…
Rudranath Temple
When Shiva, in bull form, dove into the earth to escape the Pandavas at Guptakashi, his face (mukha) appeared at this remote alpine meadow in the Chamoli district, now called Rudranath. The name 'Rudranath' means 'Lord Rudra' — Rudra being the fierce, wrathful aspect of Shiva. This is the only Panch…
Madhyamaheshwar Temple
When Shiva, disguised as a bull, dove into the earth to escape the Pandavas, his navel and belly (nabhi and udara) appeared at this site in the Kedarnath mountain range. The name 'Madhyamaheshwar' means 'the middle lord' — 'Madhya' meaning middle, 'Maheshwar' meaning Great Lord (Shiva) — signifying …
Kalpeshwar Temple
When Shiva, in the form of a bull, dove into the earth at Guptakashi, his matted locks (jata) appeared at this location in the Urgam valley. The temple is set inside a small natural cave, and the lingam within represents Shiva's jata. The name 'Kalpeshwar' is derived from 'Kalpa' (cosmic cycle) and …