Kedarnath DhamImage Credit source: PTI
Kedarnath Puja Tradition: Chardham Yatra 2026 has been announced in Uttarakhand. With the opening of the doors of Kedarnath and Badrinath, there is a flood of devotees. But do you know who has the responsibility of worshiping Baba Kedar for 6 months after the doors are opened? Because becoming a priest of Kedarnath is not an easy task, for this one has to go through difficult rules and rigorous penance. Let us know the secret behind this ancient tradition.
Do Lingayat community have rights?
Kedarnath Temple Only the Veer Shaiva Lingayat community of Karnataka has the right to worship in it. This tradition is considered centuries old. According to historians and religious beliefs, when Adi Guru Adi Shankaracharya reestablished Kedarnath Dham, he had entrusted the responsibility of worship here to the Lingayat Brahmins of South India. Since then this tradition is continuing in the same form till today. The Lingayat community is considered ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and their method of worship is especially linked to the Shaiva tradition. This is the reason why this right has been limited to maintain the same tradition in Jyotirlingas like Kedarnath.
What is the difficult process of becoming a priest?
Becoming a priest in Kedarnath is not a normal thing, but for this one has to go through strict rules and penance. First of all, it is mandatory for the candidate to become the disciple of the Chief Rawal (Chief Priest) of Kedarnath. After this, the appointment is made only after the approval of the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee. The priest has to stay in the Dham for 6 months and perform regular puja and does not get any leave during this period. During this time, they have to live a very virtuous life and stay away from worldly attachments and strictly follow the rules.
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The appointment of the Chief Priest (Rawal) and other priests at Kedarnath Dham is done every year on the holy occasion of Mahashivratri. This appointment takes place in the Omkareshwar temple of Ukhimath, which is the winter seat of Kedarnath. On Mahashivratri, on the recommendation of Rawal, new priests are selected by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee, they are made to wear turbans and are appointed for 6 months.
Tradition of hard penance and sacrifice
The priest serving at Kedarnath not only has to remain religiously pure, but also has to face difficult geographical conditions. Performing puja continuously for 6 months amidst high altitude, cold and limited resources is less of an austerity.
What is the message behind the tradition?
Giving the right to worship only to the Lingayat community in Kedarnath temple is not a symbol of any discrimination, but an attempt to maintain the continuity of thousands of years old religious tradition and Shaiva practice. This system ensures that the worship methods, rituals and spiritual disciplines remain in the same form as they were created centuries ago.
Also read: After Kedarnath, now the doors of Badrinath Dham are open, know why it is called Vaikuntha of the earth.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
