Badrinath shrine portals to open on 23 April
Garhwal Post Bureau
Chamoli, 21 Apr: The second phase of the sacred Gadu Ghada Kalash Yatra began yesterday from the Lakshmi Narayan temple at Dimmer, the ancestral village of the Dimri priest community. The ritual began with elaborate rituals, special worship and offerings, followed by the chanting of Vedic mantras before the oil-filled urn was formally dispatched towards Badrinath Dham. The urn, containing sesame oil meant for the year-long anointment of Lord Badri Vishal, is being carried along the traditional route through Umaththa, Pakhi, Ravigram, Langasu, Chamoli, Birhi and Pipalkoti before proceeding further on the Badrinath pilgrimage path.
Last night, the urn was kept at the Narasimha temple in Jyotirmath. It will reach Badrinath tomorrow and, on 23 April, coinciding with the ceremonial opening of the temple portals, the urn will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum. As per tradition, the sesame oil from this urn is used throughout the year for the ritual bathing of the Deity. It may be recalled that the portals of Badrinath temple are due to open on 23 April.
The Kalash Yatra has drawn large participation from the Dimri religious central council and a significant number of local devotees. At every halt the urn has been welcomed with showers of flowers and the rhythmic beats of traditional drums. The devotees now await the opening of the portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath, which mark the formal commencement of the Char Dham pilgrimage season. The portals of Badrinath will be opened on the morning of 23 April at 6:15 a.m. The portals of Badrinath ritually open after the portals of other three Char Dhami shrines open and the portals of Badrinath close also later than the portals of other three Char Dham shrines, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath.
The rituals connected with the opening of Badrinath’s portals began today at the winter seat of Lord Badri Vishal, the Narsingh Temple in Jyotirmath (Joshimath), where a special puja was performed with traditional fervour. The ancient and revered seat of Adi Guru Shankaracharya, along with the idols of Lord Narsingh, Garuda, Lakshmi and Ganesh, were worshipped in the temple courtyard. Following the formal Panch Puja, the palanquins carrying the sacred gaddi of Shankaracharya, the vehicle of Vishnu, Garuda, and the holy Gadu Ghada set out ceremoniously towards Badrinath.
After the completion of rituals at Jyotirmath, the palanquin of Adi Guru Shankaracharya and the festive idol of Garuda departed today for Badrinath amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns. The departure was witnessed by Rawal Amarnath Namboodiri and Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Vice-President Rishi Prasad Sati. The first halt for the divine palanquins will be at Yog Badri in Pandukeshwar, where they will rest before proceeding further.
