The portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines were reopened to the public on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Monday, marking the start of this year’s Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
About 2,000 devotees were present when the portals of Kedarnath shrine were reopened for the public amidst chanting of Vedic hymns at 7 am. In addition to the 2,000 plus pilgrims who had spent Sunday night at Kedarnath, the State Governor Krishan Kant Paul also visited the shrine to pay his obeisance to lord Kedarnath.
Sharp at 7 am, the chief priest of Kedarnath, Bhima Shankar ling Shivacharya led the ritual reopening of the portals of the shrine to the public. After reopening of the main door to the shrine, the Utsav Doli of the deity entered the temple and offerings were made to the deity before opening Kedarnath to the public.
The temple area, surrounded by snow-covered Himalayan peaks, resounded with chants of devotees hailing lord Kedarnath on the occasion.
Krishan Kant Paul also participated in the worship, praying for the welfare of the nation and its people. While talking to the media on the occasion, the Governor said that prior to the reopening of Kedarnath’s portals more than 2,500 people had spent Sunday night at Kedarnath.
He said that this year, accommodations for pilgrims and necessary facilities along the Yatra route have been arranged in a better manner.
Adequate arrangements have also been put in place for providing medical assistance.
All possible efforts have been made to ensure the safety and convenience of those undertaking the Char Dham Yatra without any disruption, added Paul.
Addressing officials, personnel, local residents and businessmen, he appealed to them to ensure that pilgrims from across the nation and abroad are treated well so that it presents Uttarakhand across the world as a centre of spiritual and cultural wealth apart from being hospitable to pilgrims and tourists.
Teerth Purohits are reported to have raised some issues with the Governor during his visit.
Meanwhile, in Uttarkashi district, the ceremonial palanquin of goddess Ganotri which had left from Mukhba on Sunday morning, arrived at Gangotri from Bhaironghati on Monday noon after which the portals of Gangotri temple were ceremoniously opened for the public at about 12:30 in the afternoon.
Also, the ceremonial palanquin of goddess Yamunotri which had earlier left from its winter abode in Kharsali Village reached Yamunotri following which the shrine was reopened to the devotees at about 12:45 in the afternoon.