Budha Kedarnath Temple

Budha Kedar, a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Tehri Garhwal of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by a lush green landscape and mountains, the Budha Kedarnath Temple sits near the confluence of the Bal Ganga and Dharm Ganga rivers. In the sanctum sanctorum of Budha Kedar, a Shivling is enshrined, said to be the largest in northern India. Surrounded by tall deodar trees and quaint villages, the temple offers a serene and blissful environment, making it nothing less than a paradise for nature lovers.
 

Fifth Dham

Budha Kedar Dham is known for its various folklore, and based on these legends, it is often referred to as the Fifth Dham of Uttarakhand. It is believed to be the only Shivling whose circumambulation (parikrama) can be completed. To access the temple, devotees need to do a short trek, which can be completed easily by beginners and others. However, the trail is steep and becomes slippery, especially during the monsoon season.
 

The view that its trail offers is alluring and captivates visitors from far and wide. Being the fifth dham and the first dham of the region, it is believed that devotees on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath should first seek the blessing of Budha Kedar. Many devotees with deep faith in Lord Shiva often visit this temple before embarking on Kedarnath.
 

History

As per the scripture, especially the 99th chapter of Kedarkhand, Boodha Kedar is the first place where Lord Shiva gave Darshan to the Pandavas. After the epic battle of the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are looking for Shiva to get rid of their sins of fratricide and Brahmahatya. For this, they started finding Shiva here and went on to the Himalaya Yatra.
 

Upon reaching this place, they find a sage named Balkhily. The rishi directed the Pandavas to the confluence of the Bal Ganga river and the Dharm Ganga rivers, where they would find an old man who could give them a clue about Lord Shiva's whereabouts. Once they reached the spot, they failed to recognise Shiva, who had disguised himself as an Old Man. Upon realising his identity, Shiva vanished from the site and took the form of a Shivling. Interestingly, being the first dham of the region, locals are not allowed to visit and offer their prayers at Kedarnath.
 

The biggest Shivling in North India

The Shivling at Budha Kedar is unique and is believed to be the biggest in the North India. On this divine Shivling, devotees can spot the carved figures of the five Pandavas, the Bull (Nandi), Ganesh, Draupadi, and Lord Shiva himself. In addition to this, water continuously drips onto the Shivling and gets absorbed into it without overflowing. Due to this, it becomes the only Shivling that you can circumambulate (Parikrama) completely.
 

Boodha Kedar Trek

Boodha Kedar Temple can be reached by doing a small trek. Although the trek is small, its steep trail makes it challenging for devotees. Its path offers an enchanting view of the region with lush greenery all around. This trail can be conquered easily during the dry season, but becomes slippery during the monsoon. Both the Bal Gannga and the Dharma rivers allure visitors from afar. Upon reaching the temple, a small meadows in the temple premises welcome devotees with its stunning beauty. The surrounding view from the temple is mesmerising.
 

Accommodation

The site offers limited accommodation options for visitors, primarily homestays and guest houses with decent facilities. Some nearby lodgings are: -

• Hotel Damruwala.
• Rawal Indranath Guest House, and
• Gayatri Home Stay.

Important Tips for Travellers

• It is advisable to travel by a taxi or personal vehicle, as public transport is limited.
• A direct bus service is available from the Tehri Bus stand between 6 am and 8 am.
• Avoid travelling during the monsoon due to risks such as landslides, road blockages, and slippery trekking routes.
• Carry essential items like a raincoat, good trekking shoes, medicines, and sufficient cash for the journey.
• Fuel stations are limited in the area; ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
• As accommodations are limited in the area, it is recommended to book in advance if planning an overnight stay.
• Photography and videography inside the sanctum are prohibited.
• Prasad shops are available near the entrance gate of the temple.

Nearby Attraction

You can explore some notable places near Budha Kedar, such as: -

• Tehri Lake.
• Dobra Chanti Bridge.
• Chandrabadni Temple.