94 Abode of Gods
Some hundred feet above the valley is the source from which
the river Mandakini takes rise. Its precipice is famous as Bhairva
Jhamp or "leap" from which pilgrim used to throw themselves
offering their lives to the god, until the practice was stopped by
the British rulers. In former times, also, it was not uncommon
thing for pilgrims to give up their being to Mahadeo by climbing
up the snows until overcome by fatigue and cold, when they
sank down to sleep and wake no more.
Nearly five kilometers ahead of the temple is Vasuki Tal.
The legend
The whole tract of Kedar is full of shrines and holy places,
whose fame and efficacy has been best described in the 'Skand-
purana*. Indeed that precious collection of marvels has a special
section or chapter devoted to this region. Parvati, the wife of
Shiva or Mahadeo, represented as conversing with her spouse a
frequent device of introduction in the Puranas and inquiring
what are the fruits of visiting its sacred places and bathing in its
waters. Mahadeo answers "The place you have spoken of, 0
Goddess, is peculiarly dear to me. Brahma and the other Gods
are there, whoever dies there becomes one with Shiva. If any
one desires salvation he shall find it there; though his sins were
as great as can be imagined, the virtue that accrues from a visit
to Kedar is sufficient to cleanse them." The Puranas are full of
the narations which describe the stories of great sinners whose
crimes were absolved by visiting it, even though involuntarily. A
crow, for example, carried the bone of a deceased inner, and
dropped it there, whereupon the man's soul, though he had
been guilty of the most flagrant crimes, was borne to heaven,
and all his sins were forgiven. According to traditions, the
water of Sailodah spring if applied to the eyes enables one to
see even hidden treasure. Whatever may be the desire, if even
once one visited and supplicated the Kedar through the priests
he is bound to attain Moksha.
There are four other Kedar where other bodily parts of Lord
Shiva are worshipped :
(i) The arms are worshipped at Tungnath which is 18km.
from Okhimath on the Kun'd-Gopeshwar road, situated at a
height, of 13000 ft Here Ravana is said to have propitiated Lord