Devotees planning to undertake the Char Dham Yatra can mark their calendars, as the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham will officially reopen on May 2, followed by Shri Badrinath Dham on May 4, the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced on Friday.
An advance team from the temple committee has already reached Kedarnath Dham to prepare for the season.
Other Temples Reopening Soon
According to the official schedule:
- Shri Madmaheshwar Temple (Second Kedar) will open on May 21
- Shri Tungnath Temple (Third Kedar) will also reopen on May 2
These dates were finalized following meetings held at Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, attended by BKTC CEO Vijay Prasad Thapliyal. He was appreciated by the Kedar Sabha and the Tirthpurohits for his coordination.
Site Inspections to Ensure Readiness
Ahead of the openings, BKTC CEO Thapliyal conducted a thorough site inspection of key locations including:
- Maa Barahi Temple, Sansari
- Masta Narayan Koti
- Shri Triyuginarayan Temple
- Gauramaata Temple
- Gaurikund
- Sonprayag Rest House
- Sanskrit College at Shonitpur (Guptkashi)
What Is the Char Dham Yatra?
The Char Dham Yatra is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage involving visits to four high-altitude Himalayan shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The pilgrimage typically follows a clockwise direction, beginning from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath.
Pilgrims can travel by road or opt for helicopter services, and many devotees also choose the Do Dham Yatra, which covers Kedarnath and Badrinath.
CM Dhami Vows Safe Pilgrimage
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reassured devotees about the government’s commitment to a safe and smooth yatra season.
“Preparations for the Char Dham Yatra are underway. I reviewed the arrangements in a recent meeting. The safety and well-being of our pilgrims is our top priority. The Yatra is a lifeline for our state’s economy,” he said on April 10.
As the temples prepare to open their doors once again, thousands of pilgrims are expected to embark on this spiritual journey, making the 2025 Char Dham Yatra season a significant event for both devotees and the state of Uttarakhand.
