Anand Mahindra shares rare 1882 photo of Kedarnath, his emotional message wins hearts
The Kedarnath Yatra 2026 has begun, marking one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindu devotees and drawing thousands of worshippers to the revered shrine of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand.
After months of winter closure, the doors of the Kedarnath temple have now been reopened to devotees, with authorities expecting a large influx of pilgrims this year.
Amid the yatra season, industrialist Anand Mahindra shared an old image of the Kedarnath shrine on his X account, reflecting on how the pilgrimage has changed over time.
Sharing details of the photograph, Mahindra wrote, “Apparently, this is one of the earliest known photographs of the sacred Kedarnath Dham, taken in 1882.”
“Couldn’t take my eyes off it. No roads. No railheads. No helicopters,” he added.
Apparently, this is one of the earliest known photographs of the sacred Kedarnath Dham, taken in 1882.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 26, 2026
Couldn’t take my eyes off it.
No roads. No railheads. No helicopters.
Just the abode of Lord Shiva, cradled by the Himalayas
Back then, the yatra demanded time, endurance,… pic.twitter.com/UfvWVsmLnf
Mahindra noted that, unlike today, the Kedarnath pilgrimage in that era was far more challenging, requiring immense physical endurance and deep faith.
“Just the abode of Lord Shiva, cradled by the Himalayas. Back then, the yatra demanded time, endurance, and faith. The journey wasn’t incidental; it WAS the pilgrimage,” he said.
He added that easier access today is a positive development, allowing more people to experience the spiritual journey.
“Today, access is easier. And that’s a good thing because it opens the experience to many more,” he said.
In a reflective note, Mahindra wrote, “But perhaps something still needs preserving? The ability to slow down and savour the experience of traveling. Because journeys are about who we become along the way.”
One of India’s most revered temple destinations, Kedarnath Temple is nestled in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas.
The town, built around the ancient shrine, is located at an altitude of 3,580 metres near the Chorabari Glacier, the source of the Mandakini River.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is known for its exquisite architecture and is constructed from massive, evenly shaped grey stone slabs. A conical rock formation inside the sanctum is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his “Sadashiva” form.
Kedarnath is also part of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.
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