Haridwar/New Delhi:
The Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand, scene of terrible devastation caused by heavy rains and floods, is one of the most revered shrines in the country, visited annually by millions.
The temple is one of the four sacred sites on the Char Dham pilgrimage and is said to have been built over 1,000 years ago by Adi Shankara.
Believed to be a seat of Lord Shiva, it is located on the bank of Mandakini river at an altitude of 3,581 meters in the Himalayas, about 225 km north of Rishikesh.
The Char Dham pilgrimage takes place annually between May and October. It also includes Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath.