By Our Staff Reporter
Kedarnath (Rudraprayag), 2 May: On the occasion of the opening of the portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, the Kedarnath Dham, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and his wife, Gita Dhami, hosted a bhandara and distributed prasad to devotees at the Mukhya Sevak Bhandara, organised in the Kedarnath premises. On this occasion, the CM also honoured environmental volunteers maintaining the temple’s cleanliness and individuals contributing to the reconstruction efforts.
Along with his wife, Dhami personally served food and the prasad to devotees at the Bhandara. Thousands of pilgrims participated, expressing joy at the CM’s presence. He also engaged with devotees arriving from across the country, collecting feedback on the arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra. Many expressed gratitude for the state’s efforts in ensuring smooth pilgrimage arrangements.
Extending greetings on the opening of Baba Kedarnath’s portals, Dhami observed that the portals of Badrinath will open on 4 May. He claimed that the government is fully prepared to welcome devotees and facilitate their pilgrimage. Recalling last year’s disaster in Kedarnath, which disrupted the Yatra for 35 days, he credited the local community’s support towards the resumption of the pilgrimage, which led to a record-breaking number of devotees visiting the Char Dham last year.
Dhami observed that the Char Dham Yatra is a lifeline for Uttarakhand, not only spiritually but also economically, serving as a source of livelihood for millions. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring a year-round pilgrimage by promoting winter pilgrimages. He also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mother Ganga in Mukhba, Uttarkashi, in support of winter pilgrimage initiatives.
Expressing gratitude to Modi, Dhami acknowledged the PM’s leadership in Kedarnath’s reconstruction. He stated that the Kedarnath redevelopment project, worth Rs 2,000 crores, is progressing under regular review by Modi. He also noted that the Union Government has also approved the construction of a ropeway from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, further easing access for pilgrims.
Among those present on the occasion were Geeta Pushkar Dhami, MLA Asha Nautiyal, Dr Madhu Bhatt, Col Ajay Kothiyal (Retd), Teertha Purohits Srinivas Posti, Ankit Semwal, Umesh Posti, Himanshu Chamoli, and other office bearers and religious leaders besides the devotees.
