This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. BudhaKedar has its own special significance because there is a self-made Shivling here whose depth has not been measured by anyone. Pilgrims reach here from far and wide to see this Shivling because it is said that seeing this linga brings pleasant results. The fifth Dham of Uttarakhand is known as BudhaKedar Tehri Garhwal. This temple is located in Tehri Garhwal’s ThattiKathoor. It is at a distance of 62 km from Tehri. Devotees feel a deep sense of peace after visiting this supreme abode. BudhaKedar Temple has the same importance as the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand and holds a special religious significance for Hindus. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
BudhaKedar Temple is situated at the confluence of the Bal Ganga and Dharma Ganga rivers in the Tehri district.
At one time, the five rivers Bal Ganga, Dharma Ganga, Sivaganga, Maneka Ganga, and Matang Ganga, used to meet here, but now there is a confluence of two Ganges where bathing is considered sacred. Apart from Badri Kedar, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, BudhaKedar is considered to be the fifth supreme abode. It is said that during the journey of these four holy dhams, one attains virtue by visiting the old Kedar Dham in the middle. From BudhaKedar, a trek is done on foot to Mahasar Tal, Sahastra Tal, Majhra Tal, Jaral Tal, Balkhlaye Ashram, Bhairavchatti, Hatkudi, to Trijuginarayan and Kedarnath. We all know that Budha means old. While Kedar is one of the many names of Lord Shiva, it is meant to say that Lord Shiva is seated in his old form in the old Kedar temple, where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of an elderly man to the Pandavas.
In the Kedarkhand of Skanda Purana, Lord BudhaKedar is mentioned as Someshwar Mahadev, in which it is said that Lord Shiva had lost sight of the Pandavas in old age at the confluence of the rivers Bal Ganga and Dharma Ganga. Because of such a vision in the old Brahmin, Sadashiv Bholenath came to be known as VriddhaKedareshwar or BudhaKedarnath Mandir. This holy place is at a distance of 62 km from Tehri, 102 from Devprayag. Due to being situated at an altitude of about 4400 feet above sea level. The weather remains cool here all year, so pilgrims and devotees can visit the old Kedar temple at any time of the year.