Over 12,000 Pilgrims Attend the Sacred Event as Himalayan Shrine Reopens After Winter Break
KEDARNATH, UTTARAKHAND — In a spiritually uplifting moment for devotees across India and abroad, temple authorities opened the sacred portals of the Kedarnath temple on Friday morning at 7 AM, marking the beginning of the Char Dham pilgrimage season.
Located at a height of over 11,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, Kedarnath—dedicated to Lord Shiva—is the third temple in the Char Dham circuit to open after the winter break, following Gangotri and Yamunotri on April 30. Temple authorities will open Badrinath on May 4.
More than 12,000 pilgrims gathered for the auspicious opening, which featured a majestic display of devotion and decoration. They adorned the temple with 108 quintals of flowers from 54 varieties, including marigolds and roses, sourced from Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
Traditional Rituals and Dignitary Presence
The ceremonial rituals began as early as 5 AM, said Harish Gaur, media in-charge of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, along with other priests and dignitaries including Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, BKTC CEO Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, and spiritual leaders, opened the gates of the sanctum sanctorum.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also attended the occasion and performed the first puja after the opening of the gates, praying for the well-being and prosperity of all devotees and the state.
New Feature: Grand Aarti at Confluence
Adding a new spiritual experience this year, the temple will host a grand aarti at the confluence of the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers, inspired by the famous Ganga Aarti of Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh.
BKTC CEO Vijay Thapliyal confirmed that they have constructed special ramps on three sides of the confluence to allow devotees to witness the aarti in full grandeur.
Significance of Kedarnath
Kedarnath, considered the 11th Jyotirlinga and the most visited among the Char Dham temples, is revered by lakhs of devotees each year. Due to harsh weather, the temple remains closed during winter and is accessible only in summer months.
With the reopening, the pilgrimage season is now in full swing, drawing spiritual seekers from across India and beyond.
