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| Home » Kedarnath » Pilgrimage and Tourist Sites » Gupt Kashi |
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Gupt Kashi
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Among the tourist attractions of Kedarnath Gupt Kashi can be visited en-route to Kedarnath or while coming back from Kedarnath. It is located at a distance of 49kms from Kedarnath.
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Gupt Kashi is mainly famous for the Ardhanarishwar and Vishwanath temples. The sacred pilgrimage spot of India has many a sightseeing option nearby. Among them is this market town en route to Kedarnath. Gupt Kashi serves as a stopover for the pilgrims to Kedarnath. Located on elevated land west of the picturesque Mandakini river valley Gupt Kashi has many an ancient story to tell. The name means hidden Benaras. The legend of the Pandavas that relates to Kedarnath has its beginning in this place. The Pandavas were seeking redemption from Lord Shiva as repentance for shedding the blood of their brothers in the battle of Kurukshetra. But Lord Shiva continued to hide from them and Gupt Kashi served as one of the places that he hid in. This is the winter abode of the priests of Kedarnath. During the severe winter months when Kedarnath is submerged in snow. The temple at Gupt Kashi serves as their residence.
There is another significance of this place near Kedarnath. The deity at Kedarnath passes through this place before proceeding to its winter residence which is Ukhimath. The main temple of Gupt Kashi is the temple of Shiva. Shiv has many incarnations, here he is the lord of the universe, Vishwanath. Located in the courtyard the architecture reflects the culture of the area. The temple of the Ardhanarishwar projects a different image of Lord Shiva. Here Shiv has been shown as half male and half female. There are two streams of water that flows into the temple tank these are said to be the Yamuna and The Ganga. There is a statue of Nandi Bull facing the idol of Shiva outside the smaller Ardhanarishwar temple. This is a sign of devotion displayed by the bull for master Shiva.
To know more about the pilgrim and tourist sites in Kedarnath check out the pages at gangotri-chardham.com
For further information about pilgrimage and tourist sites in Kedarnath, you can click through the links that are provided below-
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