Preparations are underway for the grand reopening of Kedarnath Temple, marking the commencement of the Char Dham Yatra with the opening of portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri scheduled for May 10, following a six-month hiatus. As part of these preparations, the Dev Doli carrying the Panchmukhi idol of Baba Kedarnath set off from Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on May 6, 2024, embarking on its journey to its first stop in Guptkashi. To mark this auspicious occasion, the Panchkedar Gadsthal of Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath has been adorned with beautiful floral decorations, orchestrated by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee in collaboration with generous donors.
The journey to Kedarnath Dham will be made in stages, with overnight stops scheduled at Guptkashi on May 6, Phata on May 7, and Gaurikund on May 8. On the evening of May 9, the 'Dholi', accompanied by the procession members, is expected to reach Kedarnath Dham. Upon completion of the rituals, the revered shrine of Shiva will be opened to pilgrims at 7 am on May 10.
The update was also shared by the Uttarakhand Police Department, extending warm wishes to pilgrims and devotees via their official communication platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. On the preceding Sunday evening (May 5), Shri Bhairav Nath Ji concluded his worship at Shri Omkareshwar Temple and embarked on his journey to the Himalayas. Baba Bhairav Nath Ji is revered as the guardian deity of Kedarnath. As part of the ongoing announcements related to the Char Dham Yatra, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has now declared that a helicopter flower shower will mark the opening of the doors at the four Dhams of Uttarakhand.
The auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on May 10 will witness the opening of the doors of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, while the doors of Badrinath Dham will open two days later on May 12. Devotees can embark on the pilgrimage to Baba Kedarnath Dham as the doors will open for darshan at 7 am on May 10.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently chaired a meeting to oversee the ongoing preparations for the Char Dham Yatra, emphasizing the need for officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements for devotees. From ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitating smooth travel and providing adequate drinking water facilities, every aspect is being meticulously taken care of for the comfort and convenience of pilgrims.
He underscored the importance of providing adequate rest for the security personnel deployed on duty to ensure their effectiveness in managing the team. Additionally, arrangements for the accommodation of drivers were discussed during the meeting. The Char Dham Yatra holds immense significance for India and its people, spanning from Yamunotri to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and culminating at Badrinath.
