| Kedareshwar Temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Etawah district |
| Deity | Lord Shiva |
| Festivals | Maha Shivaratri, Shravan Somvar |
| Governing body | Kedareshwar Mahadev Etawah Temple Trust |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Etawah, Uttar Pradesh |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 26°46′40″N 79°01′26″E / 26.7779°N 79.0238°E / 26.7779; 79.0238 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Fusion of North & South Indian styles |
| Established | Construction began in 2021 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone and lime mortar |
| Elevation | 145 m (476 ft) |
Kedareshwar Temple[1][2][3][4] (also known as Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The temple is currently under construction and has attracted public attention due to its architectural inspiration and the debate surrounding its resemblance to the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand.
The temple complex is situated near the Etawah–Bhind bypass along National Highway 719, close to the Etawah Lion Safari Park, near the village of Bulakipur Luhanna, at coordinates approximately 26.7779° N latitude and 79.0238° E longitude.
History
The foundation stone for the temple was laid in 2021,[5] with construction taking place on a plot of approximately 11 acres in Etawah. The Kedareshwar Mahadev Etawah Temple Trust, with notable involvement from local political figures, is overseeing the construction. A prana-pratishtha (consecration) ceremony was reportedly held in early 2024 as the temple structure became partially ready. The temple is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Maha Shivaratri in February 2026.
Architecture
The architectural design incorporates elements inspired[6][7] by several traditional Indian temple styles. The temple's entrance and sanctum draw inspiration from other historic temples, and it is intended to be built using traditional methods without modern materials like cement and iron, instead using ancient binders such as lime mixtures.
Significance
Devotees consider the temple a significant Shiva shrine and it has become a growing focal point of faith for local worshippers even before official completion. Regular rituals,[8] including special ceremonies on festivals such as Maha Shivaratri,[3] attract crowds to the site.
Controversy
According to The Hindu, the construction of the Kedareshwar Temple in Etawah has generated controversy due to its perceived resemblance to the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, one of the most revered Shaiva shrines in India[9].
The Shri Badri-Kedarnath Temples Committee (BKTC)[9], which manages the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, stated that it was seeking legal advice on whether the Etawah project violated religious or cultural norms associated with the original shrine.
The report noted that members of the committee and religious representatives in Uttarakhand expressed concern that the construction of a temple with a similar architectural form and symbolic identity could affect the sanctity and distinct religious significance traditionally associated with Kedarnath. The matter has been discussed at the level of temple authorities and priestly organisations, with some groups urging caution and possible intervention.
According to ABP Live, the construction of the Kedareshwar Temple in Etawah, initiated under the auspices of Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, has drawn objections from various religious organisations and individuals in Uttarakhand. These groups, including sadhus, saints, and other members of religious bodies, sent letters to Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami[2] expressing concern that replicating[1][4] the name and form associated with the Kedarnath shrine outside its traditional context could hurt religious sentiments. The protesters argued that the sacred identity of the original Kedarnath Temple should not be used elsewhere in a way that could be perceived as a duplication of its spiritual significance. The Uttarakhand government, including Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, acknowledged receipt of the letters and stated that appropriate action was being considered. No official response from Akhilesh Yadav or his party on the matter had been reported at the time
The project has been a subject of controversy[1] and public debate. Several Hindu religious bodies and priests have objected to the temple's resemblance to the famed Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, calling it a symbolic replica[1][4] that could hurt the sentiments associated with the original shrine. Religious groups such as the Char Dham Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat and Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad[10][11] have demanded that construction halt or be modified. In contrast, project representatives and some priests have defended the design, stating it is inspired but not an exact copy of the Kedarnath Temple model.
Political context
The temple's construction has also been discussed in political[12][13] contexts, with commentators noting its timing relative to major religious developments elsewhere in India. The involvement of prominent local leaders has led to interpretations of the temple as part of broader cultural and political narratives.[2][14]
See also
- Shiva
- Maha Shivaratri
- Hindu temple architecture
- Etawah district
- Tixi Temple
- Kundeshwar Mahadev Mandir
- Lakhna Kalika Devi Mandir
References
- ^ a b c d Mishra, Ishita (2025-07-19). "Badri-Kedar Temple Committee seeking legal advice over construction of replica of Kedarnath temple in Samajwadi Party's bastion Etawah". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ a b c खान, दानिश (2025-03-11). "इटावा में केदारेश्वर मंदिर के निर्माण पर उत्तराखंड में उठे विरोध के स्वर, CM धामी ने लिखा पत्र". ABP News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ a b "वैसा ही मंदिर, वैसे ही नंदी... इटावा में केदारनाथ! महाशिवरात्रि पर उमड़ा श्रद्धालुओं का सैलाब, देखें Video". ndtv.in (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 2025-03-09. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ a b c "Brahmin outfit opposes Kedarnath temple replica in Etawah, writes to Uttarakhand CM". The Times of India. 2025-03-11. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ हिंदी, News24. "Explainer: अखिलेश यादव पर भारी पड़ेगा उत्तराखंड कैबिनेट का यह निर्णय? इटावा में निर्माणाधीन केदारेश्वर पर देवभूमि से उठे विरोध के सुर". News24 Hindi (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-12-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "केदारनाथ मॉडल पर मंदिर क्यों? अखिलेश के केदारेश्वर मंदिर पर उठे सवाल, दिल्ली में ऐसे ही केदारनाथ मंदिर पर मचा था बवाल". Zee-Up-Uttarakhand (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ "Kedarnath-Inspired Temple In Etawah Triggers Outrage; Seers Demand Halt, Architect Calls It A 'Unique Tribute'". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ "Etawah: अखिलेश यादव द्वारा बनवाए जा रहे केदारेश्वर मंदिर में तमिलनाडु से आए पुजारी, MahaShivaratri पर परिजनों ने की विशेष पूजा". AajTak (in Hindi). 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ a b Mishra, Ishita (2025-07-19). "Badri-Kedar Temple Committee seeking legal advice over construction of replica of Kedarnath temple in Samajwadi Party's bastion Etawah". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "अखिलेश यादव के 'केदारेश्वर मंदिर' को लेकर हो गया बवाल, जानें अखाड़ा परिषद ने क्यों खोला मोर्चा?". Jansatta (in Hindi). 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2025-07-19). "केदारेश्वर मंदिर निर्माण के विरोध में उतरा अखाड़ा परिषद, पीएम मोदी और अमित शाह को लिखेगा पत्र". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ "Will visit other temples after Etawah's Kedareshwar Mahadev Mandir completion: Akhilesh". Hindustan Times. 2025-11-25. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ "Haridwar seers protest building of Kedareshwar temple by Akhilesh Yadav in UP's Etawah". The Economic Times. 2025-07-19. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ "How Akhilesh push for Shiva temple in home turf is fuelling SP, BJP battle before 2027 polls". The Indian Express. 2025-07-05. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
External links
- Kedareshwar Mandir Trust
