Mystical Stories of Kedarkantha Trek
The Kedarkantha Trek in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi District is famed for its breathtaking natural beauty and rich tapestry of legends and spiritual tales deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. Beginning at Sankri (6,500 ft), this trek travels through oak and pine forests in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary before ascending Kedarkantha summit (12,500 ft), providing scenic landscapes, tranquil meadows, and mythological landmarks along its route.
Kedarkantha: Sacred Summit
According to local legends, Kedarkantha holds an intimate connection with Lord Shiva. According to this tale, Lord Shiva once chose his summit as a site for deep meditation before being disturbed by a bull charging into the valley below and forcing him to relocate his meditation practice elsewhere – Kedarnath being his preferred location today. At Kedarkantha’s summit, there is now a stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, complete with Trishul (trident) and an underground shrine where an idol of Lord Ganesha keeps watchful during summer months to invoke rain showers! Kedarkantha’s name derives from its connection with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata: Bheem recognized Lord Shiva disguised as a bull to try and escape them; during their pursuit, he shed body parts over an expansive region, with one believed to have settled at Kedarkantha as its throat had come close enough. This legend mirrors that of Garhwal’s Panch Kedar shrines (Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar).
Midway through your trek lies Juda-ka-Talab: the Sacred Lake
At 9,000 feet elevation lies Juda-ka-Talab, an exquisite alpine lake said to have been formed when Lord Shiva untangled his knotted hair (Juda), casting it down onto the earth. Water then began pouring in and eventually filled this stunning alpine lake. According to legend, Juda itself represents connection and union, perhaps of two once separate water bodies merging into this one giant alpine beauty.
Local folktales describe how a shepherd lost his flute in a lake and later found it at a woman’s table in the village–illustrative of its supernatural connection and supernatural flow of water through hidden channels. Additionally, multiple unnoticed streams are believed to connect this lake to nearby rivers, thus further strengthening its sacred significance.
As part of their trek, climbers are treated to breathtaking panoramic views of iconic Himalayan peaks – each one bearing its special legend:
Swargarohini: Said to have been used by Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, on his journey towards heaven; according to legend, he was the only one who successfully reached its gates alive.
Kalanag (Black Peak): Drawing inspiration from its similarity to the head of a black cobra, Kalanag is an iconic landmark that towers high over the surrounding region’s skyline.
Bandarpoonch: Translating to “Monkey’s Tail,” this peak is associated with Hanuman, the monkey god. It represents his journey up into the Himalayas to extinguish his burning tail. Each legend provides its account of Kedarkantha and Juda-ka-Talab Lake, located along a trek route leading towards Uttarkashi District in Uttarakhand. These tales revolve around Lord Shiva’s activities during his stay at Kedarkantha.
Mythological story of the Kedarkantha trek
At the summit, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is made out of stones and situated next to a snow-capped mountain. A Trishul is standing statue at its foundation that attracts pilgrims who visit this shrine in thanks for guiding their lives. Furthermore, an underground small temple houses an idol of Lord Ganesha during hot and dry summers to bring rain.
Legend holds that Lord Shiva selected Kedarkantha Mountain’s summit for deep meditation, but was disturbed by a bull charging across the valley below. To find peace again, Lord Shiva relocated nearby Kedarnath town in Uttarakhand, where he resumed his practice of deep contemplation.
Local legends speak of the Pandavas traveling towards the Himalayas to seek divine blessings from Lord Shiva. In order to avoid being discovered by Bheem, Shiva transformed himself into the form of a bull; but even this disguise failed; Bheem chased after Shiva anyway and chased after his body parts until finally coming out into view where they scattered throughout different locations; his neck eventually landing at Kedarkantha peak and thus becoming known as his “throat.”
This myth shares similarities with the legend of Panch Kedar – five Shiva temples located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region, which include Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhyamaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar – located there. According to legend, when advised by Lord Krishna to ask Shiva for forgiveness for killing their loved ones during the Mahabharata wars, they asked for mercy; however, Shiva turned into a bull instead and sent the Pandavas back home before leaving for the Garhwal area.
Guptakashi attempted to capture Lord Shiva as an animal-shaped bull at Guptakashi’s mountains, the Pandavas witnessed his appearance as a lion instead, only for it to fly off into space instead of appearing again as Lord Shiva at five different locations, such as Kedarnath (with legs at Tungnath and Rudranath for faces and Rudranath for stomach). They believe the Pandavas built temples at each location.
As trekkers climb towards Kedarkantha summit, they will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the Swargarohini mountains, which rise over 10,000 feet and comprise four distinct mountain peaks. According to local mythology, Swargarohini was used by Yudhishthira, one of the Pandavas, on their journey into heaven; unfortunately, however, only Yudhishthira reached heaven, leaving behind all others in his wake.
Kalanag Mountain is one of the region’s most prominent landmarks and is often referred to as “Black Peak”. The name for the mountain comes from its likeness to an inky cobra’s head.
Bandarpoonch Mountain stands near Black Peak. The name itself translates to “monkey’s tail”, and may have its origin in Hanuman, revered as the God of Monkeys or Monkey God in Hinduism.
Story behind Juda Ka Talab
Juda Lake, located on Kedarkantha’s first campsite immediately following Sankri, was said to have been formed when Lord Shiva sought an area in which to shed his hair by casting away a knotted mass into the earth, resulting in its creation as this lake.
According to local legend, two bodies of water met and ultimately joined together into one vast body that we now see today.
One story recounts wherein one shepherd was watching over his flock by the lake while playing his flute on a tiny hill in the middle of it, and it fell off, landing at the bottom. After searching unsuccessfully, he gave up and headed back into town along with the goats; upon reaching there, he found it sitting on a woman’s table as she collected streams nearby! In response to his inquiries, she revealed it as her discovery!
According to some, multiple streams flowing from lakes into nearby rivers create what is referred to as “juda,” or a link between lakes and rivers.
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