Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 14 Apr: Auspicious dates for the ceremonial opening of the portals of Madmaheshwar shrine, the second of the Panch Kedar shrines, and Tungnath temple, the third of the Panch Kedars were formally declared on the occasion of the Baisakhi festival today at their respective winter seats in accordance with the Panchang calculations. As per the announced schedule, the portals of Madmaheshwar will be opened on 21 May in Kark Lagna (Cancer Ascendant) for devotees while for Tungnath, the portals will be opened on 22 April in Mithun (Gemini) Lagna during the summer season.
The ceremonial procession of the idol of Tungnath will begin from Makkumath on 20 April, reaching Bhootnath temple for the first night halt, where offerings of the new harvest will be made and the traditional Poonkhi fair will be organised. On 21 April, the procession will resume and travel through various halts to reach Chopta, and on 22 April it will proceed to Tungnath Dham, where the portals will be opened with due rituals.
At the same time, the ceremonial procession of Madmaheshwar will begin on 17 May at Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. On this day, the idols will be placed from the sanctum sanctorum to the Sabha Mandap and offerings of the new harvest will be made. On 18 May, devotees will have darshan of the procession. On 19 May, the procession will depart from Omkareshwar temple, halting at Dagwadi, Brahmankholi, Mangolchari, Salami, Phapanj, Mansuna, Raulank and Uniyana, before reaching Rakeshwari temple at Ransi for the night halt. On 20 May, the procession will move to Gaundar village, and on 21 May it will pass through Bantoli, Khatara, Nanau, Maikhamba and Kunchatti before arriving at Madmaheshwar Dham, where the portals will be opened in Kark Lagna on the same day.
On the occasion of Baisakhi, today, the Pushpak Viman of Boodha Madmaheshwar bestowed blessings upon devotees at Omkareshwar temple. Devotees offered barley greenery and various flowers and they also prayed for universal prosperity. On this occasion, the temple committee officials, priests, administrative officers, Vedic scholars, traditional rights holders (Haq Haqooq Dhari) and a large number of devotees.
It may be noted that the Char Dham Yatra is due to begin with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on 19 April. The portals of Kedarnath will be opened on 22 April, followed by Badrinath on 23 April, marking the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra season.
