Lord Shiva: Every year after Diwali, the doors of Kedarnath temple are closed on the day of Bhaibeej. This year Bhaibij is on 3rd November and on this day the doors of Kedarnath temple will be closed for winter. After the doors are closed, Kedareshwar Mahadev is taken to Ukhimath in a palanquin. Kedarnath Mahadev is worshiped there during winter. Let us know why this is done.
Mythology of Ukhimath
According to the story described in Shrimad Bhagwat, Lord Shri Krishna's grandson Aniruddha and Banasur's daughter Usha loved each other. When Banasur came to know about this, he became angry and one day in anger he captured Shri Krishna's grandson Aniruddha. After this, Shri Krishna went to fight with Banasur to free his grandson from captivity. A terrible war took place between Banasur and Shri Krishna. After a long war Banasur could not defeat Lord Krishna, he sought help from Lord Shiva in the war. Lord Shiva promised Banasur that he would protect him.
War between Shri Krishna and Shiva.
As soon as Banasur remembered Lord Shiva, Shiva reached the battlefield. After that a terrible war started between Shri Krishna and Lord Shiva. Then after some time, Shri Krishna asked Lord Shiva to leave the war. Shri Krishna told Lord Shiva that Lord, you have given a boon to Banasur, he will be defeated at my hands. But how is this possible if you are not averse to war? After this Lord Shiva left from there. Then Shri Krishna defeated Banasur in the war.
But when Shri Krishna started killing Banasur, Lord Shiva stopped him and asked Banasur to give up his life. On the advice of Lord Shiva, Shri Krishna left Banasur alive. After losing the war, Banasur married his daughter to the grandson of Shri Krishna. In mythological times that place was known as Ushamath. But today it is known as Ukhimath.
Kedarnath lives in Ukhimath
Ukhimath is considered prominent among the Panchkedars. Therefore, Kedarnath Mahadev resides in Ukhimath during winter. After the doors of Kedarnath are closed, Kedarnath Mahadev is brought to Ukhimath in a palanquin. Kedarnath temple is situated in the region of Himalayan mountain range. After Bhai Bij, winter begins and snowfall occurs in the Himalayan region. Due to which all the roads have been blocked. Due to snowfall it becomes difficult to live in the Himalayan region. Therefore the doors of Kedarnath temple are built after Bhai Bija.