The portals of Kedarnath shrine opened after a winter break on Tuesday morning, with thousands of pilgrims braving sub-zero temperatures in the snow-covered town to offer prayers at the Himalayan temple. Temple chief priest Rawal Bhima Shankar Ling opened the gates of the temple amid rituals and chanting of shlokas. See pics (Pic/PTI)
Updated On: 2023-04-25 02:28 PM IST
Compiled by : Anagha Sawant
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offers prayers at the Kedarnath Temple after the opening of the temple's doors, in Rudraprayag district
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who offered prayers at the temple, said, "The first 'puja' was done on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose leadership a grand Kedarpuri has been built"
A devotee dressed up as Lord Shiva arrives at the Kedarnath Temple after its portals opened marking the start of the 'Char Dham Yatra', in Kedarnath
Devotees arrive to offer prayers at the Kedarnath Temple after its doors opened marking the Char Dham Yatra, in Kedarnath
Devotees during their pilgrimage to the Kedarnath Temple after the opening of the temple's doors, in Rudraprayag district
Due to bad weather, the journey to Kedarnath is a little difficult and challenging at present but it will become smooth in a few days as the weather improves, he told reporters here
However, the chief minister advised pilgrims en route to the temple to proceed only after updating themselves about the weather so that they do not face any problem. "The state government is working consistently to improve the facilities in Kedarnath and make the pilgrimage safer and easier for devotees. It will soon be linked with a ropeway whose foundation stone was laid by the prime minister last year," he said
