Doors Of Shri Kedarnath Dham Open With Grand Rituals And Devotion

The sacred doors of the world-renowned eleventh Jyotirlinga, Shri Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously opened on Friday morning at 7 AM amidst Vedic chants, devotional music, and traditional rituals. A divine atmosphere enveloped the temple as flower petals were showered from helicopters, and the chants of “Har Har Mahadev” resonated across the valley.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was present during the opening, offered prayers and wished for the happiness, prosperity, and peace of the state. In keeping with tradition, the first puja was performed in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Panchmukhi Utsav Doli of Lord Kedarnath reached the temple after its journey from the winter seat, Shri Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. The temple was magnificently decorated with over 108 quintals of flowers, adding to the spiritual grandeur.

The Chief Minister extended his congratulations to the nation on this auspicious occasion, calling it a moment of deep faith and celebration for the devotees of Sanatan Dharma. He emphasized Kedarnath’s importance as a symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring a well-organized Char Dham Yatra.

He further highlighted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, significant reconstruction efforts have transformed Kedarnath post the 2013 disaster. The Kedarnath complex has seen grand development with projects worth over ₹2,000 crore, and the Gaurikund-Kedarnath ropeway project has also been approved by the Central Government.

During the occasion, the Chief Minister and his wife participated in the Mukhya Sevak Bhandara, distributing Prasad and serving food to devotees. He also interacted with pilgrims from across the country, taking feedback on the arrangements and recognizing the efforts of those involved in temple cleanliness and reconstruction.

The Chief Minister noted that last year’s disaster disrupted the pilgrimage for 35 days, but it was swiftly revived with local support. This year, too, a record-breaking number of pilgrims is anticipated. He underlined that the Char Dham Yatra is the economic lifeline of Uttarakhand and emphasized the state’s commitment to year-round pilgrimage through initiatives like the winter Char Dham Yatra.