The gates of Kedarnath Dham, one of the most sacred and ancient pilgrimage sites in the nation, were ceremoniously opened to devotees on Friday, following a six-month break that included the busiest winter months. The doors were opened to the resounding chants of “Har Har Mahadev” from the gathered devotees through ceremonies and hymn chanting.
Forty quintals of rose petals were placed around the temple to add to its celestial atmosphere before to the formal opening of this hallowed residence of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s temple at Kedarnath draws a lot of followers and tourists from all over the world during its six-month opening season.
The doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham were opened at 7 am for devotees to catch a glimpse of the deity. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, accompanied by his wife Geeta Dhami, was present for the darshan as the temple doors were unlocked amidst the recitation of shlokas in praise of Lord Shiva.
Sharing the momentous occasion, the Chief Minister took to X and posted a video clip of the Kedarnath temple, captioned simply with “Jai Shree Kedar.”
On the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the doors of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri were opened, while the doors of Badrinath Dham are scheduled to be opened on May 12. Helicopters showered petals on the shrine as the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham were opened, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
These high-altitude shrines remain closed for six months each year, opening in summer and closing with the onset of winter. The pilgrimage journey, known as Char Dham Yatra, holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. Pilgrims typically embark on this journey from April-May to October-November, completing it in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath.
The Char Dham Yatra can be undertaken by road or air, with helicopter services available. Some devotees also opt for a Do Dham Yatra, visiting only two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath. This pilgrimage, comprising visits to the holy sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, symbolizes spiritual fulfillment and reverence in Hindu tradition.