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 The main shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva was renovated and refurbished by the religious reformer and saint, Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD. Outside the temple door a large statue of Nandi the bull, stands as a guard.
The temple is built of large, heavy and evenly cut grey slabs of stones and is considered more than 1000 years old. The temple has a garbha griha where the conical rock formation is situated and a Mandapam for seating of pilgrims and visitors.
A large statue of the Nandi Bull is situated outside the temple door. The nearest bus stop is Gaurikund and pilgrims have to trek 14 kms to reach the temple.
According to legend
The Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva to atone their sins fafter the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repetedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull.
On being followed HE dived into the ground, leaving behind HIS hump on the surface. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol on the shrine.
The remaining portions of Lord Shiva are worshipped at four places the arms (bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (mukha) at Rudranath, naval (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. Together with Kedarnath, these places are known as the panch Kedar.
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