The portals of Kedar Nath Dham were thrown open for devotees at 7 am today, amidst music played by a band from the Garwal Rifles and chants of Om Namah Shivay.
The state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, was present. As he did at Gangotri, he offered the first prayers in the name of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
He extended his best wishes to the approximately 12,000 devotees who witnessed the opening and expressed hope for the prosperity of the state. He said he hoped a large number of pilgrims would reach Kedar Nath safely for darshan.
The Dham was decorated with 108 quintals of flowers. The number is significant as it aligns the energies of the universe and purifies its energy centres. Hence chants are also done in blocks of 108.
The weather remained clear and snow on the distant hills, including the Garwhal Himalayas, was visible.
The process of opening the doors started at 5 am, although the employees of Shri Badrinath - Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) were stationed at the temple premises from 4 am. At 6 am, Rawal Bhimashankar Ling of Shri Kedarnath Dham, priest Bagesh Ling, with other religious leaders, politicians and officials witnessed the first entry of the Bhairav Nath priest Arvind Shukla from the east entrance and participated in the worship of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
At 7 am with the invocation of Gods and Goddesses, and wishes for the welfare of people the doors were thrown open for devotees. The main entrance which is located on the south was also thrown open.
Baba Kedar's Panch Mukhi Doli departed from Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath to Kedarnath Dham on April 28. A day earlier, Lord Bhairav Nath was worshipped at Shri Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath. Bhairav Nath is the protector of Kedar Nath.
The doli reached Shri Kedarnath Dham on Thursday evening. On May 3, the gates of Bhairav Nath will also open.
