Before we started from Srinagar to Sitapur Master healed the sick amongst the group. The numbers increased dramatically as the word got around. Sitapur is the base station for the trek to Kedarnath. Master spoke to the group and answered a number of questions. He explained that this was the location on the way from Gaurikund to Kedarnath that he met Mahavatar Babaji who gave him the name "Nithyananda Paramahamsa". Master used to live in a cave about 4km from the Gaurikund market place, near a kala Bhairava temple. He said that Kedarnath temple is the Kshetra, the sacred location for the lineage of Nithyananda and an essential pilgrimage for all disciples.
Master recpunted the legend of Kedar. The Pandava princes came to Kedar after their victory in the war to leave their bodies. Shiva appeared to them in the form of a bull. As each prince tried to catch the bull they passed our of this world. Finally, when Yudishtra tried to catch Shiva in the bull form, the bull entered into the earth. The Linga at Kedar represents the rear of the bull that was Shiva.
Adi Sankaracharya did puja at this temple and left his body at Kedar.
