As the dawn broke on Friday in Uttarakhand, the Kedarnath Dham's gates were opened, marking the commencement of the sacred Char Dham Yatra. On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, thousands of pilgrims flocked to the city, their chants of 'Jai Kedar' resonating throughout the valley.
With precise rituals, the chief priest, Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, opened the gates of Kedarnath Dham to the public at 7:10 AM. On this occasion, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, was in attendance as well. Following Kedarnath, the gates of Yamunotri Dham were opened at 10:29 AM and Gangotri Dham's gates at 12:25 PM. The Chief Minister had arrived at Kedarnath Dham for inspection and prayers early at 7 AM.
In a message to devotees on the launch of the Char Dham Yatra 2024, Chief Minister Dhami extended a heartfelt welcome and greetings, urging all to maintain cleanliness and avoid using single-use plastic during the pilgrimage. Additionally, he highlighted special arrangements made by the government for the safety of elderly pilgrims, women, and children.
Source: aajtak
The anticipation now builds for the devotees awaiting the opening of the Badrinath Temple gates, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 12th at 6 AM.
Source: aajtak
The Significance of Kedarnath
Kedarnath, located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, is a holy abode of Lord Shiva. The temple's self-manifested Shiva lingam draws millions of devotees annually for worship. Kedarnath is revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is also an integral part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage circuit.
The Significance of Badrinath
Badrinath holds a distinguished place among the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Situated along the banks of the Alaknanda River amidst the Himalayan ranges, this temple primarily venerates Lord Vishnu. Devotees honor the deities Nar and Narayan here. The temple complex comprises three sections: the sanctum sanctorum, the assembly hall, and the prayer hall, while the main shrine houses fifteen idols, the most prominent being that of Lord Vishnu.
