Ukhimath Temple in Uttarakhand – Swaroop of Shiva from Kedarnath Temple is Worshipped Here During Winter

When the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand is closed after Diwali for winter, the swaroop of the Shiva (Panchamukha Doli) from the temple is carried to the Ukhimath Temple. Shiva as Kedarnath resides during the harsh winter (till Akshaya Tritiya day) at the Ukhimath Temple.

Kedarnath mandir is usually closed on the Bhai Dooj day, two days after Diwali. The Swayambhu Shivling worshipped in Kedarnath temple is given the samadhi roop shringar on the final day. The Shivling is covered with bhagambar, bhringraj flowers, bhasma, and regional flowers and leaves ( बाघंबर, भृंगराज फूल, भस्म, स्थानीय शुष्क फूलों- पत्तों). 

The doors of the the sanctum sanctorum are closed when Bhakut Bhairavnath is summoned as he is the protector deity during the harsh winter season when people are not present in the temple. (भकुंट भैरव नाथ के आह्वान के साथ ही गर्भगृह तथा मुख्य द्वार बंद किया गया। साथ ही पूरब द्वार को भी सीलबंद किया गया।)

कपाट बंद होने के बाद भगवान केदारनाथ जी की पंचमुखी डोली शीतकालीन गद्दी स्थल श्री ओंकारेश्वर मंदिर उखीमठ के लिए प्रस्थान करते हैं। पंचमुखी डोली प्रथम पड़ाव रामपुर पहुंचेगी।  अगले दिन देवडोली श्री विश्वनाथ मंदिर गुप्तकाशी और उसके अगले दिन को श्री ओंकारेश्वर मंदिर उखीमठ पहुंचेगी।

The utsava murti, or the murti used for worship during rituals and festivals, from the Panch Kedar shrines – Kedarnath, Madhya Maheshwara, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar – too are brought to the Ukhimath temple during winter.

Believed to be more than 5000 years old, Ukhimath Temple propagates Veerashaivism.

A deed of gift – giving lands to the temple – by Janamejaya, great grandson of Pandavas, is still persevered in the Kedar Peetha established here.

The temple has a swayambhu Shivling and an imposing murti of Nandi.

Legend has it that Usha daughter of Banasura got married to Anirudh, grandson of Sri Krishna, here. It is believed that Usha had reconstructed the temple here.