By Our Staff Reporter
Rudraprayag, 28 Apr: The sacred journey for the reopening of the portals of Kedarnath Dham commenced today with the traditional worship of Lord Bhairava at the Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. Yesterday, the rituals as per ancient custom were performed, initiating the auspicious proceedings leading up to the Kapatodghatan (opening of the portals).
Today, at 10:30 a.m., the Panchmukhi Chal Vigraha Doli (portable festival idol) of Lord Kedarnath departed from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple towards Kedarnath Dham after due rituals, worships and ceremonies. The send-off was graced by Rawal Bhimashankar Lingam, Chief Executive Officer of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, distinguished guests as well as the devotional strains of the Indian Army band.
As per the sanctified itinerary, the Doli would halt overnight at Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi tonight; at Phata tomorrow; and at Gaura Devi Temple, Gaurikund, on 30 April. The revered Doli is scheduled to finally reach Kedarnath Dham on the evening of 1 May. Subsequently, on the morning of Friday, 2 May, at the auspicious Taurus Lagna at 7:00 a.m., the portals of Kedarnath Temple would be ceremoniously opened to devotees, marking the commencement of Baba Kedar’s six-month-long summer sojourn.
In preparation for this grand occasion, the BKTC has undertaken elaborate arrangements, including adorning Kedarnath Temple with more than ten quintals of fresh flowers. The Kapatotsav rituals are being performed with utmost devotion and adherence to scriptural traditions.
Last evening, at the sanctum sanctorum of the Omkareshwar Temple, the winter seat of Baba Kedar, the winter worship and aarti of both Lord Kedarnath and Lord Omkareshwar were solemnised. Thereafter, the venerated idol of Lord Bhairava regarded as the Kshetrapal (Protector) of Kedarnath Dham, was ritually bathed with sacred Ganga water, milk, honey, and oil. The deity was then adorned with new garments, flower garlands, and a unique offering of black lentil pakodas and puris, amidst the recitations by Veda Pandits Vishwamohan Jamloki, Yashodhar Maithani, Naveen Maithani, Omkar Shukla, and Kedarnath’s appointed priests Bagesh Ling, Shiv Shankar Ling, Gangadhar Ling, and Shiv Ling.
Issuing a statement though his social media accounts after the doli of the Lord Kedar left Omkareshwar for Kedar Dham, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his reverence. He tweeted that he prays to Mahadev to bestow His blessings upon all devotees, bringing happiness, prosperity, and harmony to every life. He also extended a cordial welcome to all pilgrims embarking on the Char Dham Yatra 2025.
It may be recalled that the Char Dham Yatra officially commences on 30 April, with devotees eagerly anticipating darshan at Kedarnath Dham from 2 May onwards.
