The date for reopening of the Kedarnath shrine to the public was announced after a ritual deliberation on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Monday. The Kedarnath shrine will be reopened to the public on the morning of May 9, at 7 am.
As per the tradition, priests and office bearers of the temple committee congregated at Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath- the winter abode of lord Kedarnath- where a hawan was also conducted on the occasion. The occasion saw astrological calculations being made to arrive at the date of May 9 as the auspicious day for reopening the Kedarnath shrine to the public. As part of the traditional rituals for reopening of Kedarnath, devotees carrying the ceremonial palanquin bearing the Chal Vigraha idol of lord Kedarnath will depart from Ukhimath on May 5 with Guptkashi as the first halt. The ritual procession will reach Phata on May 6, Gaurikund on May 7 and Kedarnath on May 8 after which the shrine will be reopened to the public at 7 AM on the next day.
It will be recalled that the dates for reopening of the Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines had been declared earlier. While Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are also slated to be reopened to the public on May 9, the Badrinath shrine will be reopened to the public on May 11.