13-05-2014, 04:49 PM
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand – 2013 flash floods
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The Kedarnath valley, along with and other parts of the state of Uttarakhand, was hit with unprecedented flash floods on 16 and 17June 2013 almost after 80 years. The temple itself suffered some damage but was still standing. However a portion of the temple complex was washed away, and the Kedarnath town was nearly destroyed in the deluge along with hundreds of devotees.
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on 19th June 2013 announced that the Kedarnath shrine will remain closed for a year for clearing the debris around the shrine.the death count is assumed to be thousands as the the conditions in kedar valley are very adverse.
Here, I would like to show you photos of Kedarnath, Uttarakhand as per Google’s Earth images of that region.
Kedarnath land is actually situated on a river bed of Mandakini river.
Kedarnath shrine was under snow for 400 years
Scientists claim that Kedarnath temple was under snow for almost 400 years and say that most of the people are unaware of this fact. According to scientists of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, Kedarnath temple survived being buried under the snow for almost 400 years and so they are not surprised that the shrine did not suffer much damage during the massive floods on June 15-16 in the region.
Theories regarding the construction of the Kedarnath temple:
1. Some say that it was built by Raja Bhoj of Malwa, who reigned between 1076 and 1099 AD.
2. Some believe that it was the Pandavas who built a temple behind the Kedarnath in the Hindu Dwapar era.
3. Popular belief is that it was built by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. That proves the fact because the LIttle Ice Age is considered to have taken place between 1300-1900 AD when the temple became a part of the glacier.