26-04-2023 : The doors of the Kedarnath Dham, the eleventh Jyotirlinga Lord in Uttarakhand, were opened for darshan by devotees at 6:20 am on Tuesday with traditional rituals, amidst heavy snowfall in the surrounding hills. Despite the inclement weather, devotees were enthusiastic and filled with faith and devotion. The first worship was offered in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per the tradition propagated by Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya.
During the opening ceremony, Rawal Bhimashankar Linga and priest Shivling and Dharmacharyas performed worship, and the army band and bhajan kirtan resonated throughout the Kedarnath Dham. Flowers were also showered on devotees from a helicopter. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers and participated in the Bhandara organized for devotees.
The portals of Kedarnath are opened every year on the birth anniversary of Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya, who got the Kedarnath temple renovated and connected the four Dhams of Uttarakhand culturally and spiritually. Brahmins from South India were allowed to worship the four Dhams of Uttarakhand, and those around the four Dhams were given the right to worship the monasteries of Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya established in East-West and South India, strengthening the cultural unity of India.
Last year, more than seven lakh devotees visited Kedarnath Dham, breaking the record of 2013. This year, the state government started the registration process for pilgrims coming to the Char Dham, and over six and a half lakh pilgrims have registered for Kedarnath Dham Yatra. The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of pilgrims, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to devotees to check the weather before visiting Baba Kedar.
The Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand is being made smooth and safe with the cooperation of social and voluntary organizations, and travel arrangements have been advanced based on previous experiences. The doors of Lord Badri Vishal will also be opened for devotees on April 27.