By Our Staff Reporter
Rudraprayag, 21 May: The sacred portals of the Lord MadmaheshwarTemple, revered as the second Kedar among the Panch Kedars and nestled amidst the picturesque velvety meadows, were ceremoniously opened today with the chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras. On this auspicious occasion, a total of 667 pilgrims witnessed the divine moment and prayed for world peace and prosperity through the ritual offering of water.
At Brahma Bela (early morning), the chief priest of Madmaheshwar Dham situated in Gaundar village, led an elaborate Panchang Pooja invoking the Deities, including Lord Madmaheshwar. At 5 a.m., the movable Idol of Lord Madmaheshwar was adorned in a grand manner and aarti was performed before it departed in a festive palanquin procession towards Kailash.
As the Idol in its palanquin made its way from Gaundar, the devotees welcomed it with offerings of flowers and Akshatras at several pilgrimage halts. The devotees also offered red and yellow garments and prayed fervently. The palanquin rested for a while at Dev Darshini after blessing devotees enroute.
At 11 a.m., Bhandaari Madan Singh Panwar and Vishambar Panwar of Madmaheshwar Dham ceremoniously blew conch shells from the temple premises, inviting the palanquin to approach the sanctum. In response, the palanquin arrived at the Dham and circled the main temple three times, also paying obeisance at the subsidiary shrines.
The divine portals of Lord Madmaheshwar were opened at exactly 11:10 a.m. with Vedic chants filling the air. Following this, Pandit Kaladhar Semwal conducted the traditional purification yagna. Hundreds of devotees offered jalabhishek upon the self-manifested Linga, praying for happiness and prosperity.
To mark the grand occasion, the Public Works Department, Ukhimath, organised a community feast with the special cooperation of Chief Engineer Mukesh Parmar and social worker Narayan Dutt Juyal. Assistant Diwara Yatra In-charge, Prakash Purohit, stated that the arrival of devotees has continued unabated since the opening of the portals.
Adding to the spiritual fervour, a captivating presentation of mythological Jagars was performed under the leadership of noted Jagar singer Rameshwari Bhatt. Accompanying her were Vilochana Rawat, Meena Bahuguna, Hemlata Bisht, Sushila Bhandari, and Lakshmi Negi, who enthralled the gathering with devotional songs celebrating the divine glory of Lord Madmaheshwar.
