The series of special puja rituals performed ahead of the reopening of Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand commenced on Sunday, as the holy shrine is set to welcome devotees on May 10.

The rituals began on Sunday evening with the worship of Lord Bhairavnath at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, the winter seat of Panch Kedar, which includes Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpnath — five revered shrines of Lord Shiva. The worship of Lord Bhairavnath continued until late night.

On Monday, the ‘Panchmukhi Doli Yatra’, carrying the Panchmukhi Bhogmurti (five-faced idol) of Baba Kedarnath, will depart from Ukhimath to reach Kedarnath Dham on May 9 in the evening, after passing through various stops. The yatra will begin from Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, proceed to the Vishwanath temple in Guptkashi on May 6, then depart from Guptkashi for Fata on May 7. From Fata, it will move to Gaurikund — the third stop — on May 8. Finally, on May 9, the Panchmukhi Doli Yatra from Gaurikund will arrive at Kedarnath Dham in the evening.

On May 10, the doors of Kedarnath Dham will open for devotees at 7 a.m.