The Panch Kedar Mandirs are amongst the most divine pilgrimage sites for followers of Sanatan Dharm. Apart from being Bhagwan Shiv`s abodes, they bear a strong connection to our history. Let`s explore their origins. #Thread

As per legend, the Panch Kedar Mandir relate directly to the Mahabharat and are an important part of our history. At the time of Mahabharat after the Kurukshetra Yudh, the Pandavs committed the sin of “Gotra Hatya” and “Brahmanahatya” by killing the Kauravs and Guru Droṇacarya.
Wanting to repent, Pandavs handed over the control of their kingdom to their kin and left in search of Bhagwan Shiv to ask for his forgiveness. Initially the Pandavs went to Kashi in search of Bhagwan Shiv but couldn`t find him there.
Bhagwan Shiv was furious at the deceit, death and destruction taking place during the Kurukshetra war. He was indifferent to the Pandavs prayers and took the form of a powerful bull and hid in the Gharwal Himalayas.
As Pandavs did not find Bhagwan Shiv in Kashi, after wandering for a bit they went to Gharwal Himalayas. The second eldest Pandav Bhim spotted a large bull grazing near GuptKashi in Kedar Kantha.
Bhim recognized the bull to be a form of Bhagwan Shiv and tried to get hold of the bull. However Bhagwan Shiv disappeared in into the ground and later reappeared in parts at the Panch Kedar Sthals
The bull hump arose in Kedarnath, the arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the nabhi and stomach appeared in Madhyamaheshwar and Jata appeared in Kalpeshwar.
Pandavs recognized this as a sign from Bhagwan Shiv and built Mandirs at the Panch Kedar Sthals for Bagwan Shiv. In this manner the Pandavs repented for their sins and this is how the Panch Kedar came into existence.
Post establishing the Panch Kedar Sthals, the Pandavs are said to have meditated at Kedarnath and performed an Yagya and subsequently continued on Swargarohini or heavely path to Swarg and attached salvation.
The Panch Kedar Shtals are said to be visited in a strict order starting with Kedarnath Mandir, then Tungnath Mandir, then Rudranath Mandir, then Madhyamaheshwar Mandir and finally Kalpeshwar Mandir.

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