Kedarnath shrine to reopen on April 22; dates for Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri Dham also announced – check | India News
Kedarnath Dham will be opened for devotees on April 22
New Delhi: Uttarakhand’s holy Kedarnath temple will reopen its doors to devotees on April 22, ending a nearly six-month winter closure, a temple committee official said on Sunday.The auspicious date and time was finalized on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the winter seat of the temple.
The moment of Mahashivratri is fixed
Sri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Public Relations Officer Harish Gaur said the reopening date was fixed at the Omkareshwar temple, where Lord Kedarnath is worshiped during the winter months.After special rituals and prayers, religious scholars and priests count the muhurtas using Panchanga (Hindu calendar) readings. The temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, will open on April 22 at 8 am.The ceremony at the Omkareshwar Temple was marked by elaborate decorations including about nine and a half quintals of flowers.Kedarnath temple chief priest Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, temple committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, other officials, religious leaders and hundreds of devotees were present, news agency ANI reported.Devotees offer prayers, chant “Jai Baba Kedar” and partake in community feasts hosted by donors.
Chardham Yatra schedule announcement
With the re-opening date confirmed, the schedule for the annual Chardham Yatra in the Garhwal Himalayas has also been finalised.The doors of Badrinath temple will reopen on April 23. Meanwhile, Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple will be opened on April 19 to coincide with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya.The reopening of these shrines marks the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season, attracting millions of devotees to the Himalayan temples every year.
