The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a uphill trek from Gaurikund . Pony and '' manchan '' service is available to reach the structure . According to Hindu legends , the temple was initially built by Pandavas , and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas , the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva . It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams , expounded in '' Tevaram '' . Pandavas were supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath . The temple is one of the four major sites in India 's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern Himalayas . This temple is the highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas . Kedarnath was the worst affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India . The temple complex , surrounding areas , and Kedarnath town suffered extensive damage , but the temple structure did not suffer any " major " damage , apart from a few cracks on one side of the four walls which was caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains . A large rock among the debris acted as a barrier , protecting the temple from the flood . The surrounding premises and other buildings in the market area were heavily damaged
2013 flash floods in North India
2013 North India floods
Kedarnath Temple