Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya!

It was on the night of June 16 2013 that Kedarnath was hit by that fateful flood that brought in its wake unprecedented disaster in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath itself saw death on a colossal scale. Worship at the shrine of Kedareshwar could be recommenced only in September 2013. And now, this summer, pilgrims have been allowed to come here again.

One of Kailasa Yatra co-yatri-s is now on Char Dham yatra. And she visited Kedarnath and whatsapped some pictures.

Here is the shrine of Kedarnath.. On 20th June 2014. Click on the picture…. And just gaze at it…

`

Isn’t it ever so beautiful….

Many of you may know about the story of the rock that saved the shrine of Kedarnath from being washed away by the floods of last June.

Here is what Wikipedia entry on Kedarnath , says:

“The Kedarnath valley, along with other parts of the state of Uttarakhand, was hit with unprecedented flash floods on 16 and 17 June 2013. On June 16, 2013, at about 7:30 p.m. a landslide and mudslides occurred near Kedarnath Temple with loud peals of thunder. An enormously loud peal was heard and huge amount of waters started gushing from Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Tal down Mandakini river at about 8:30 p.m. washing everything away in its path. The next day on the 17th of June, 2013 at about 6:40 a.m. in the morning waters again started cascading at a huge speed from river Swaraswati and Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Tal bringing along with its flow huge amount of silt, rocks and boulders. A huge boulder got stuck behind Baba Kedarnath Temple and protected it from the ravages of the flood’s fury. The flood waters gushed on both the sides of the temple destroying everything in their path. Another theory that is told about the story of the temple not being destroyed is of the construction of the temple. Although the temple withstood the severity of the floods, the temple complex and surrounding area were destroyed, resulting in the death of hundreds of pilgrims and locals. Shops and hotels in Kedarnath were destroyed and all roads were broken. A number of people took shelter inside the temple for several hours, until Indian army airlifted them to safer places. The Uttarakhand Chief Minister announced that the Kedarnath shrine would remain closed for a year for clearing the debris around the shrine.

Some eye witness observed that, one large rock that got carried up to the temple in flood water and settled at the rear side of the Kedarnath Temple, thus causing obstruction to the debris, diverting the flow to the sides of the temple avoiding possible damage.”

*

Here is a picture of that rock that came with the flood waters and anchored itself right behind the temple..

`

`

Here is another view…

From farther back…

`

`

Devotees of Kedar Baba have named this rock as Divya Bheem Shila – or Divine rock of Bheema.

When the temple was reopened for worship last year, the priests offered worship at this rock too. This rock has now become a part of the Kedarnath temple sanctity.

The rock has got anchored some thirty feet away, right behind the main shrine. It is around 20 feet wide and 12 feet or so tall. Stands as a sentinel against the wrath of waters.

One more pictures… A side view…As you can see, an object of veneration…

`

`

Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya! Nama kimshilaaya cha kshayanaaya cha!

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti: !