By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 20 Apr: For the first time ever perhaps, the portals of Lord Badrinath shrine will not be opening on a predetermined date. The scheduled date for the opening of Badrinath portals was 30 April but due to on-going lockdown due to Corona pandemic, the portals will not open on 30 April. The new date fixed for opening of portals has been changed to 15 May. Similarly, the date of opening of Kedarnath shrine has also been changed from 29 April to 14 May now.
The decision in this respect was taken by CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and Religious Affairs Minister Satpal Maharaj in consultation with Tehri Maharaja Manujendra Singh. It may be recalled that dates for opening and closing of Badrinath shrine is taken traditionally by Tehri Maharaja who is considered to be representative of Lord Badrinath.
In the meeting chaired by CM Trivendra Singh Rawat, Manujendra Singh Shah was not present himself but was represented by his MP wife Maharani Mala RajyaLaxmi Shah. Meanwhile the Raval of Kedarnath Temple Bhimashankar Ling, reached Ukhimath, the winter abode of Lord Kedarnath from his Ashram in Nanded (Maharashtra). He is presently under quarantine after reaching as per the Corona protocols since he reached Ukhimath after a journey through several states. Meanwhile, the Chief Priest of Badrinath too has started for Joshimath, which is the winter abode of Lord Badrinath from his native state Kerala and is expected to reach Joshimath in a few days from now.
It however remains to be seen how the Char Dham Yatra will proceed in view of the Corona led crisis in the country and the requirements of social distancing and travel restrictions that may follow even after the lockdown is over on 3 May.
