Dehradun: The sacred Kedarnath Dham will open its doors to devotees on May 2 at 7 am, as announced on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. The date was declared at Panch Kedar Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, in the presence of Kedarnath’s Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, following traditional Panchang calculations.
As the date for all the four Char Dham shrines have been announced, the Uttarakhand Government has intensified preparations, ensuring smooth arrangements for pilgrims. The registration process for the yatra has begun, allowing devotees to secure their participation in this sacred journey.
Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will commence from April 30
Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand will commence from April 30, starting with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on Akshaya Tritiya. Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2, followed by Badrinath Dham on May 4.
On Mahashivratri, Rawal Bhimashankar Ling officially announced that the Kedarnath shrine
On Maha Shivratri, religious ceremonies began at 6 am at Omkareshwar Temple. Special prayers, including Bal Bhog and Maha Bhog, were offered to Baba Kedarnath, followed by ‘aarti’. After the rituals, Rawal Bhimashankar Ling officially announced that the Kedarnath shrine would reopen on May 2 for devotees. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured on Wednesday that the state government is engaged in the preparations for the Kedarnath pilgrimage as the temple is set to reopen on May 2. CM Dhami said, “It is a very auspicious day. From May 2, the portals of Baba Kedarnath will open, and the pilgrimage for the devotees will begin.”
Government will ensure that the arrangements are made
“We have already reviewed the experiences of last year’s pilgrimage, and arrangements have been made. We are already engaged in the preparations for the pilgrimage this time,” he added. Dhami said that the government will ensure that the arrangements are made, keeping in mind the increasing number of devotees every year. “At the government, administration, district, and departmental levels, we should organize the pilgrimage well because the number of devotees is increasing every year. Keeping that in mind, all the arrangements will be ensured. Wherever the work is to be done, it will be done at a fast pace and with Baba’s blessings, the pilgrimage will be successful,” Dhami said.
Kedarnath portal opening plan has been decided by BKTC
On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the Badrinath – Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced that the doors of the eleventh Jyotirlinga Kedarnath Dham will open on May 2 at 7 am. Lord Bhairavnath will be worshipped on April 27. While the Panch Mukhi Doli of Baba Kedar will depart from Shri Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath to Kedarnath Dham on April 28, the press release stated.
The date of opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham was decided in the presence of Kedarnath Dham Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, duty bearer Chandi Prasad Bhatt, and Shri Badrinath – Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, Panchgai Committee officials, and hundreds of devotees at Omkareshwar Temple Ukhimath, after the Panchang calculation by the religious leaders and Vedpathis, as per rituals, the release stated.
