The suspense over the presence of chief priests (Rawals) of Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines during the opening of the portals ended on Wednesday with Uttarakhand Government assuring that arrangements for their return to the State are being made. The Rawal of Badrinath, Ishwari Prasad Namboodri, is at his native village in Kerala while the Rawal of Kedarnath, Bhima Shankar Lingam, is at Nanded in Maharashtra. The portals of Kedarnath shrine are scheduled to open on April 29 while that of Badrinath are opening a day later on April 30.
As per the tradition, the presence of chief priests is necessary during the ceremonial opening of Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines after their idols are carried from their respective winter abodes.
Apprehensions were being expressed in various quarters on presence of these priests during the portal opening ceremonies due to prevailing lockdown in the country to check the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Due to the lockdown, the air, rail and road network in the country are totally jammed.
These apprehensions further gained ground after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced extension of lockdown till May 3. Incidentally both Maharashtra and Kerala are the states where large numbers of COVID-19 affected patients are being reported.
On behalf of Uttarakhand government, the tourism and culture minister Satpal Maharaj talked with both these chief priests on Wednesday and assured them that necessary arrangements are being made for their travel to the State.
When contacted, the Rawal of Badrinath, Ishwari Prasad Namboodri said that he has quarantined himself at his home in Kerala. “The State Government has assured me that I would reach my destination in Uttarakhand before April 20,’’ he said.
The Rawal of the Kedarnath, Bhima Shankar Lingam also said that the Uttarakhand Government has informed him that necessary arrangement for his timely return to the State are being made.