The ‘Utsav Doli’ of lord Kedarnath reached here on Thursday, leaving its six months’ winter abode at Ukhimath. The ambience was spiritually electric as Kumaon Regiment’s pipe-band welcoming the arrival of the holy Doli with Vedic hymns being chanted from inside the holy shrine. The Doli was led by main priest Rajshekhar lingam.
Around 500 devotees prayed to the “Panchmukhi”, the Utsav idol of lord Kedarnath when it reached Kedarnath around 2.25 pm. The Doli left Gaurikund at around 8 am on Thursday and reached here travelling on road after briefly halting at Bhimbali, lincholi and Rudra Base camp. The devotees had trudged around 18 km to reach Kedarnath from Gaurikund.
Meanwhile, the temple committee had made all arrangements for the opening of the Kedarnath temple on Friday. The time has been set at 8.50 am. The temple is presently decked with decorated with ‘Genda’ (Marigold) flowers. The drizzle started when the Doli was being installed in the temple complex amidst Vedic rituals. Though the drizzle was short-lived, the priests and the devotees looked elated as it is considered auspicious.