Rudraprayag: Kedarnath, one among the four revered Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand, portal opening date for this year will be announced tomorrow, on the occasion of Mahashivratri. The devotees are eagerly waiting for the opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham as the date for other three shrines have been announced earlier.
Alongside this, decisions regarding the deployment of additional priests for the Char Dham Yatra will also be made. The Badr-Kedar temple temple committee (BKTC) has completed all necessary preparations for this significant event.
Badrinath portal is set to open on May 4
The Char Dham Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, includes visits to four sacred shrines: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. This year, the portals for Gangotri and Yamunotri will open on April 30, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya. The Badrinath portal is set to open on May 4.
Preparations are in full swing
BKTC CEO Vijay Prasad Thapliyal has confirmed that all preparations for the Mahashivratri event are complete. The date will be decided at Omkareshwar temple, the winter seat of Kedarnath, in Ukhimath. As the date for the opening of Kedarnath Dham is set to be announced on Mahashivratri, devotees eagerly await the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra.
Deployment of priests at Panch Kedar temples
On Mahashivratri, not only will the date for the opening of Kedarnath Dham be decided, but also the deployment of priests for the Yatra period at the second Kedarnath Lord Madmaheshwar, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi. This holistic approach aims to ensure that all spiritual sites are well-prepared to welcome pilgrims and provide them with the necessary guidance and support.
Priest deployment and vacancies
The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been operating with a vacant priest post for over two years. This vacancy arose following the sudden demise of Priest Shashidhar Ling on May 31, 2023. Since then, only four priests have been managing the spiritual duties at Kedarnath, Madmaheshwar, Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, and Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi during the pilgrimage period. To address this shortage, the temple committee has been in discussions with Rawal Bhimashankar Ling of Kedarnath to fill the vacant position.
Significance of Kedarnath shrine
Kedarnath shrine, one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism, attracts thousands of devotees each year. The Char Dham Yatra, which includes Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, is a significant spiritual journey for many Hindus. The announcement of the opening date of Kedarnath Dham is a highly anticipated event, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage season.
