Rudraprayag, May 10: The revered portals of Kedarnath Dham, one of India’s ancient and holiest pilgrimage sites, opened their doors to devotees on Friday. Following six months of closure, including the peak winter phase, the portals were ceremonially opened through rituals and hymn chanting.
The atmosphere resonated with the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ as devotees gathered for the sacred ceremony, witnessing the unveiling of the portals amid the recital of hymns. In anticipation of this auspicious occasion, the abode of Lord Shiva was adorned with 40 quintals of petals, enhancing the spiritual ambiance.
Kedarnath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, attracts countless devotees and visitors from across India and beyond during its six-month opening period. The doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were unlocked at 7 am, inviting devotees for a darshan (sighting) of the deity.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, accompanied by his wife Geeta Dhami, graced the occasion with their presence, joining devotees in offering prayers and chants to Lord Shiva. Sharing the spirit of devotion, the Chief Minister took to social media to express his reverence, posting a video clip of the Kedarnath temple with a caption that simply read, “Jai Shree Kedar.”
On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the doors of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri were opened, while the doors of Badrinath Dham will follow suit on May 12. Helicopters flying overhead showered petals on the shrine, adding to the divine celebration.
The high-altitude shrines remain closed for six months annually, reopening in summer (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November). The ceremonial journey of Lord Kedarnath’s Panchmukhi Doli commenced from Gauramai Temple in Gaurikund, reaching its final destination amid prayers and festivities.
The Char Dham Yatra holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism, symbolizing a journey of devotion and self-discovery. It is customary to undertake this pilgrimage in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri and concluding at Badrinath, traversing through Gangotri and Kedarnath along the way.
Devotees can complete this sacred journey by road or air, with helicopter services available for convenience. Some pilgrims opt for a Do Dham Yatra, visiting two shrines—Kedarnath and Badrinath—as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website, underscoring the profound spiritual essence of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
