As part of the ceremonies leading to re-opening of the Badrinath shrine to the public on May 11, devotees carrying the ceremonial palanquin of Shankaracharya left from Joshimath along with Rawal (chief priest) of Badrinath towards Pandukeshwar on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Monday.
After ceremonial worship at the Narsinh temple in Joshimath, the ceremonial procession of Shankaracharya along with the Gadu Ghada (Sesame oil in a pot) accompanied by the Badrinath Rawal left towards Pandukeshwar. The locals and devotees marked the occasion with religious fervor and gaiety.
local women sang Bhajans at the Narsinh temple here on Monday morning after which ceremonial worship was conducted by the Rawal of Badrinath along with priests after which devotees carrying the seat of Adi Shankaracharya left for Pandukeshwar. While an army band also played at the start of the ritual procession, the Rawal carried the Gadu Ghada along with priests and other devotees.The procession will halt at Pandukeshwar on Monday night after which it, along with the ceremonial representations of Uddhav and Kuber will leave in a procession for Badrinath on Tuesday. Meanwhile, preparations by the priestly fraternity in Badrinath along with the business fraternity in the temple township are being given final touches for reopening of the shrine on May 11.
The villages of Bamni and Mana have also come alive as residents return after staying away for six months. While the temple township and nearby villages appear to have come alive and abuzz with activity, the work of laying tar on the stretch of the road to Badrinath from lambagad to Radang Bend has also been started to ensure some convenience for pilgrims and travelers.