By Our Staff Reporter
Chamoli, 2 May: The portals of Badrinath Dham are set to open for devotees on Sunday, 4 May, at 6 a.m. Ahead of the grand occasion, today at 10:30 a.m., Gadu Ghada (the silver pitcher containing sesame oil), Rawal Amarnath Namboodri, Adi Guru Shankaracharya Gaddi, and Garuda departed the Narsingh Temple, the winter abode of Lord Badrinath, after performing due rituals. By late evening today, the procession is scheduled to reach Pandukeshwar, the first night halt along the way to Badrinath. The procession was accompanied by an Army Band that played devotional music in praise of Badri Vishal.
In a historic first, with the cooperation of temple right holders, the vehicle of Lord Badrivishal, Garuda Maharaj, was sent towards Badrinath Dham with a grand ceremony following worship. This marks the first time in history that Garuda has been ceremonially sent to the Dham, generating immense enthusiasm among devotees. Thousands of devotees gathered to bid farewell to Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s throne, Rawal, and Garuda’s Doli, as the sacred journey commenced.
Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal conveyed his wishes to the devotees.
BKTC Media Incharge Harish Gaur, speaking from Narsingh Temple, Jyotirmath, shared that tomorrow evening, Garuda, Adi Guru Shankaracharya’s throne, and Rawal will reach Badrinath Dham from Pandukeshwar, accompanied by Uddhav, Kuber, and the Gadu Ghada.
The portals of Badrinath Dham will open for darshan at 6 a.m. on 4 May, welcoming thousands of devotees to one of India’s most revered spiritual sites.
It may be recalled that Gadu Ghada is a sacred ritual associated with Badrinath Dham, marking an important tradition before the portals of the temple open for devotees. It involves the ceremonial offering of sesame oil, which is used for the Abhishek (ritual bathing) of Lord Badrinath.
The ritual begins at the royal court of Narendra Nagar, where sesame oil is extracted by married women following ancient customs. This oil is then placed in a silver pitcher (Gadu Ghada) and carried in a procession through various stops before reaching Badrinath Dham. The oil is used for bathing the Deity before the temple portals open, symbolising purification and divine blessings.
Portals of Tungnath Temple open amid Vedic chants
By Our Staff Reporter
Chopta, (Rudraprayag) 2 May: The portals of Tungnath Temple, revered as the third Kedar, were ceremonially opened today, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season. The temple, standing at 3,680 metres height (12,073 feet) beneath Chandrashila Peak, is considered to be the highest Shiva shrine in the world.
The sacred Utsav Doli carrying the movable idol of Baba Tungnath arrived at Chopta last evening after stopping at various pilgrimage sites along the way. Following an overnight stay, the doli was carried to the temple this morning, and at 10:15 a.m., the portals were opened in an auspicious Lagna, resonating with devotional chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ across the area.
Following the opening, special worship ceremonies were performed, reinstating the divine presence in the temple. Thousands of devotees rejoiced as they gained darshan of their Deity, marking the continuation of pilgrimage traditions that date back centuries.
