By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 21 Apr: The portals of the world-renowned Kedarnath Dham are set to open tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. during an auspicious muhurta amid traditional rituals and Vedic chants. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is scheduled to be present on the occasion and he is expected to reach the temple premises tonight. With the opening of the shrine, the much-awaited Kedarnath Yatra 2026 will formally begin tomorrow. CM Dhami is expected to participate in the Puja and other associated religious ceremonies and also offer his worship and Jalabhishek.
A day ahead of the opening, Baba Kedarnath’s ‘doli’ has already departed from Gaurikund and it reached Kedarnath this afternoon around 4 p.m. It will be placed inside the temple premises. The temple priest, Umesh Chandra Posti, today expressed gratitude to the CM for discontinuing the earlier registration process and he stated that this would facilitate a larger number of pilgrims to visit the shrine. He added that arrangements are in place to accommodate more than 35,000 yatris at any given time, and that the temple doors will be ceremonially opened by the Rawal.
Preparations for the opening have been completed, and the temple has been decorated in a grand manner with 51 quintals of fresh marigold flowers, presenting a vibrant and devotional ambience. A large number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad have already begun arriving, reflecting immense enthusiasm among devotees.
The district administration claims to have undertaken extensive measures to ensure a smooth, safe and well organised yatra. The roads have been repaired and the arrangements for traffic management, accommodation, food and drinking water have been made along the route. The pedestrian route has been equipped with toilets and essential facilities, while electricity and solar lighting systems have been installed throughout. The administration also claims that the medical services have also been strengthened with health centres established at every two kilometres. Cleanliness has been given priority with modern sanitation facilities and provision of hot water.
Security arrangements have also been tightened, with police and administrative officials deployed across the route and temple premises to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims. The devotees have appreciated the arrangements, describing their experience as comfortable and well-managed.
Meanwhile, the temple committee has imposed a complete ban on the use of mobile phones within the temple premises. Committee member Vineet Posti stated that carrying mobile phones inside the premises, taking photographs or videos, and recording reels have been strictly prohibited to maintain the sanctity of the shrine and ensure convenience for devotees. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found violating these rules.
