Kedareshwar Mahadev Temple Porbandar, Gujarat
The city of Porbandar, also known as Sudamapuri, has many mythological temples. One such temple is Kedareshwar Mahadev. This temple contains in itself thousands of years of history. It is said that this temple dates back to the time of Lord Krishna’s friend Sudama. Devotees come from far and wide, drawn by the thread of faith, to have darshan of the huge Swayambhu Shivalinga installed in the temple. Along with Shivalinga, other gods and goddesses also reside in this temple. In the premises of the temple, there is a temple of Ganesh ji, a temple of Hanuman ji and also a small temple of Kartikeya ji. Here some rules have been made for entering the sanctum sanctorum of Kedareshwar temple.
For years there has been a tradition here that only dhoti clad Brahmins will be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple for worship. The priest of Kedareshwar temple says, “The first rule here is that worship can be done in the temple only by wearing dhoti. Sisters and daughters of the priest family also cannot enter the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. This tradition has been going on since the time of King Rana Saheb Bapu of Porbandar. One cannot enter the sanctum sanctorum of this temple even after paying money.
To enable the devotees who are not able to enter the sanctum sanctorum to get the benefit of Shiva worship, another Shivalinga has been installed near the sanctum sanctorum. Where devotees perform Abhishek and worship in the morning and evening. The shikhara and flag of Sudama temple and Kedareshwar temple in Porbandar are situated at the same height. This makes it clear how much importance Kedareshwar temple has in this city of Sudama. Perhaps another belief behind this is that Kedareshwar Temple is the first Shaiva temple of Porbandar.
The priest of Kedareshwar temple says, “The peak of Shri Sudama ji’s temple and the peak of Kedareshwar Mahadev temple are the same.” Both flags fly at the same height.
This temple, which is considered mythological, contains in itself centuries of history. There is an interesting Puranic story associated with this temple. According to legends, Sudama himself brought Kedarnath here. It is said that Shri Krishna’s friend Sudama had pleased Kedarnath with his devotion and requested him to reside in Porbandar and do public welfare. Accepting this, Lord Shiva established himself here.
Local artist believes, “God has seven puris but the eighth puri is Sudamapuri.” Sudama ji’s father used to go to Kedarnath. Later due to old age he became unable to go there. Then he ordered Sudama ji to go to Kedarnath. Sudama ji went to Kedarnath and worshiped for five nights. Pleased with his worship, Lord Shiva asked for a boon. Sudama requested Lord Shiva to come to Porbandar. Then Kedarnath ji told Sudama ji that he should walk ahead and I would follow behind. Wherever he looks back, he will be revered in the same place. This temple is considered to be a temple of Dwaparera.
Be it mythological connection or any other reason, devotees have a lot of faith in this temple. Here the devotees pay obeisance to Nandishwar and look at Lord Shiva from his perspective. Nandishwar is the symbol of religion. Therefore, if seen from the religious point of view, the devotees keep Shiva in their sight and bow down. Here in the temple premises itself there is an ancient pond by the name of Kedareshwar Kund, which is very famous. The water of this pond is like Ganga water for the devotees. The fishermen and traders here use the water of this pond instead of Ganga water for auspicious works. People of Kharwa community worship Gorma during Chaitra Navratri and immerse it in this pond. Not only this, devotees consider this pond mentioned in the mythological story as miraculous.
The priest of the temple said, “There is Kedareshwar Mahadev Kund inside this temple. Its glory is such that Sudama ji took bath in the pond with Lord Shiva and even today the sound of bathing in the pond is heard around 4 to 5 in the morning. Even today God’s miracles can be felt.
This Kedareshwar temple of Porbandar is a place of miracles in Kalyug for the devotees.
