Kedarnath Temple Announces Reopening Date for Annual Pilgrimage Season
The revered Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand is set to welcome devotees once again on April 22, concluding its nearly six-month winter closure. This significant announcement was made by temple committee officials on Sunday, marking the commencement of the annual pilgrimage season in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Auspicious Timing Determined During Mahashivratri Celebrations
The precise date and timing for the temple's reopening were finalized during the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri at the shrine's winter seat. Harish Gaur, the public relations officer of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, confirmed that the muhurat was determined at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where the deity of Lord Kedarnath is worshipped throughout the winter months.
Following special rituals and prayers, religious scholars and priests meticulously calculated the auspicious timing using traditional panchang readings from the Hindu calendar. The temple, recognized as one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, will officially open its doors at 8:00 AM on April 22.
Elaborate Ceremony Marks the Announcement
The ceremony at Omkareshwar Temple was a grand affair, featuring elaborate decorations that included approximately nine and a half quintals of flowers. The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, religious leaders, and hundreds of devoted followers.
Key attendees included Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, the chief priest of Kedarnath Temple, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, along with other officials and religious figures, as reported by news agency ANI. Devotees participated enthusiastically, offering prayers, chanting "Jai Baba Kedar," and partaking in community feasts generously organized by donors.
Char Dham Yatra Schedule Finalized for Pilgrimage Season
With the reopening date for Kedarnath confirmed, the complete schedule for the annual Char Dham Yatra has been officially announced. The pilgrimage circuit, which draws lakhs of devotees each year to the Himalayan temples, will see staggered openings across the sacred sites.
Badrinath Temple will reopen its doors on April 23, just one day after Kedarnath. Meanwhile, Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple will welcome pilgrims earlier, on April 19, coinciding with the festival of Akshaya Tritiya, considered an extremely auspicious day in Hindu tradition.
The reopening of these four shrines signifies the official beginning of the pilgrimage season, a period of immense spiritual significance that attracts countless devotees seeking blessings and spiritual solace in the majestic Himalayan landscape.
