The portals of Kedarnath shrine will be reopened to the public on May 9 at 5:35 AM. The date for reopening of the portals of Kedarnath was announced on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Monday. Rituals and calculations based on the Hindu almanac were held at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath-the winter seat of lord Kedarnath, to arrive at the date of reopening of the shrine. The ceremonial procession carrying the Panchmukhi (five-faced) idol of the lord will depart for Kedarnath on May 6.
The Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) had organised the ceremony at Omkareshwar on the occasion of Mahashivratri. In the presence of Kedarnath Rawal (head priest) Bhimashankar Ling, other priests, Pundits and traditional right holders, the Panchang (Hindu almanac) was referred to for arriving at the date for reopening of the shrine to the public.
The Chal Vigrah procession of lord Kedarnath will start on May 6 and arrive at Fata on the same day, at Gaurikund on May 7 and at Kedarnath on May 8. During the ceremony held at Omkareshwar, the BKTC chairman Mohan Prasad Thapliyal, chief executive officer BD Singh, other office bearers of the temple committee, local public representatives and devotees were also present in large numbers.
It will be recalled that the date of reopening of Badrinath shrine to the public- May 10- was announced earlier on the occasion of Vasant Panchami.