Located at the confluence of the Balganga and Dharmganga rivers in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, Budha Kedar is an ancient and historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Budha Kedar is often considered the “Fifth Dham of Uttarakhand” after the Char Dham Yatra. The beauty of the Budha Kedar Temple is truly captivating and ethereal.
According to legend, after the Mahabharata war, the Pandavas, seeking absolution for the sin of killing a clan, came to the Himalayas to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. Lord Shiva, unwilling to meet them, assumed the form of an old man and appeared before the Pandavas at this very spot. This is why the place is named “Budha Kedar.”
According to local beliefs, the natives of this region do not need to visit Kedarnath, as they consider Budha Kedar their primary shrine and visit Lord Shiva there. The Shivalinga here is one of the largest in North India, attracting devotees from far and wide. The Jyotirlinga also features engraved figures of the five Pandavas, Lord Ganesha, and Nandi. Additionally, within the temple grounds, you’ll find five Pandava stones, each considered an important part of Kedarnath.
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