facebook
News Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Temple Is Set To Welcome Pilgrims From May 6
Advertisement

Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Temple Is Set To Welcome Pilgrims From May 6

An important spiritual destination and an indispensable part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, the Kedarnath temple will be open to devotees in May

Advertisement

By: Eshita Srinivas Published: Mar 02, 2022 05:30 PM IST

Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Temple Is Set To Welcome Pilgrims From May 6

An important spiritual and historical destination and an indispensable part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, the Kedarnath temple will be open to devotees on May 6 at 6:25 am. The announcement was made on the occasion of Mahashivratri by temple officials after a brief religious ceremony at Omkareshwar temple. By Eshita Srinivas

Nestled amidst snow-clad mountains and dense forests, by the pristine Mandakini river, Kedarnath draws several thousand travellers every year. Most are pilgrims on a spiritual journey across the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand through a circuit popularly known as the Char Dham (four abodes) yatra. The four important sites here are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. Temple officials of the Kedarnath temple recently announced that pilgrims could soon head to the region, adding that other important sites will gradually reopen as well.

Temple town Kedarnath will open to devotees for the first time this year

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KEDARNATH TEMPLE (@kedarnath.temple)

A religious ritual at Omkareshwar temple, where most religious practices are held while the main Kedarnath temple remains snowbound, marked the recommencement of the Char Dham Trek. The chief priest Rawal Bhimashankar Ling and Badri Kedar Mandir Samiti president Ajendra Ajay were present on the occasion. Harish Gaud, a temple committee official stated that the Kedarnath temple will reopen on May 6, adding the five-faced idol of Hindu god Shiva will be transported in an ornate palanquin decorated with flowers on May 2, according to Zee News.

Besides Kedarnath, the opening dates for other shrines on the circuit have been confirmed. Badrinath temple will reopen on May 8, Financial Express reports. Gangotri and Yamunotri, meanwhile, will open up on May 3, 2022. Officials have stated, as per India.com, that all concerned departments have begun preparations for the Char Dham Yatra.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KEDARNATH TEMPLE (@kedarnath.temple)

The temple town of Kedarnath has withstood the test of time and nature, surviving landslides and floods that hit Uttarakhand in 2013. Several legends surround the temple, with some stating that it was built in the 8th century by a Hindu seer and others claiming it was built by the king of Malwa in the 2nd century. The temple stands at a height of 10, 248 feet above sea level and the carvings within the temple are an important archaeological motif. The temple shut down for the winter in November and will reopen for the first time this year in May.

Feature and hero image: Uttarakhand Tourism

Related: Maha Shivratri 2022: How Many Of These Iconic Shiva Temples In India Have You Visited?

Written By

Eshita Srinivas

Eshita Srinivas

Eshita is a food, alcohol, travel, and entertainment writer who spends her days zeroing in on the next big trend to write about. She’s a communication graduate with bylines in Conde Nast Traveller India, GQ India, Deccan Herald, and Girls Buzz. When not at work, you’re likely to find her hunting for a good read or charting out the perfect itinerary ..Read More

   
Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

No Thanks
You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.