kedarnath at a height of 3,581 m, is the site of one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. the temple built of solid gray stones stands against the back drop of kedarnath range. according to legend, the pandavas came here to pray to lord shiva after their victory in the great battle of kurukeshtra to atone for killing their own kin in the course of the war. however, lord shiva kept eluding them and sought refuge at kedarnath in the form of a bull. on being trailed, he plunged into the ground, leaving only the hump exposed on the earth, which is worshipped at the shrine. his arms are believed to have surfaced at tungnath, his face at rudranath, belly at madmahesh war, his locks and head at kalpeshwar. these spots where he reappeared (together with kedarnath) form the panchkedar. all these places are located in the garhwal himalayas and can be visited from kedarnath by road and subsequent trekking.