WHY SRI KEDARNATH IS CALLED JAGRAT MAHADEV 

It is said “हरि अनंत, हरि कथा अनंता”। Among the various lokgathas associated with our Mandirs, a famous one relates to Kedarnath Dham. Bhagwan is known as “Jagrat Mahadev” (जागृत महादेव) based on one such lokgatha.

The Kedardham opens for 6 months only and closes during winters. In old days, it was difficult to reach here easily. Once a pilgrim reached Kedarnath with great difficulty but he was late. He reached just when the Mandir was closing for winter and he could not get darshan.

The Pujari told him to come back after 6 months. Dejected Bhakt kept sitting there. At night, in extreme cold, a Sadhu appeared before him, consoled him and told him that he would get darshan in the morning. When the man got up in the morning, he saw the Chief Pujari coming.

The Pujari was surprised and asked the man how he managed to come so soon after 6 months. Surprised, the man narrated the event. The Pujari then told him that 6 months had already elapsed. It was Mahadev who came as a Sadhu and converted 6 months into one night through Yogmaya.

To give darshan to a true Bhakt and fulfil his wish, Mahadev can do anything. As such, he is known here locally as “Jagrat Mahadev”.