Kedarnath Temple Opens Door For Devotees Today
Kedarnath:
The portals of Himalayan temple Kedarnath were opened on Friday, with more than 12,000 pilgrims attending the ceremony.
The gates of the temple located at a height of more than 11,000 ft were opened at 7 am, Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) officials said.
The Himalayan temple was adorned with 108 quintals of flowers of 54 varieties, including roses and marigolds brought from different countries like Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Of the four Char Dham temples Kedarnath, which is also the 11th Jyotirlinga, pulls the largest crowd of devotees. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is the third temple in the Char Dham circuit to be opened after the winter break. Gangotri and Yamunotri temples were opened on April 30 and Badrinath will open on May 4. The process of opening the gates of Kedarnath began at 5 am, BKTC media in-charge Harish Gaur said.
Rawal (Chief Priest) Bhimashankar Ling, priest Bagesh Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, Rudraprayag's District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, BKTC Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, Tirtha priest Srinivas Posti, religious leaders and Vedpathis entered the temple from the east gate and participated in the worship of the gate of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple before the portals were opened.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also attended the opening ceremony and was the first to perform a puja at the temple after the opening of its gates praying for the well-being and prosperity of all. The temple, which is visited every year by lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad, remains closed during the winter months.
A new feature for the pilgrims in Kedarnath this time would be a grand "aarti" on the lines of Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, Haridwar and Rishikesh to be performed at the confluence of the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers near the temple, BKTC CEO Vijay Thapliyal said.
All arrangements have been made for the aarti with ramps erected on three sides of the confluence for devotees to view the scene, he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- India Gazette
Modi inaugurates world's highest rail bridge in Kashmir (VIDEO)
The crossing is part of a new train line connecting the region to the rest of India for the first time Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated two railway bridges that are a part of a new link connecting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It is the first time he has been to the region since the deadly Pahalgam attack on tourists, which triggered a diplomatic and military clash between New Delhi and Islamabad. During his speech on Friday, Modi highlighted the importance of developing Kashmir's infrastructure. The region has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for decades. The prime minister opened the Chenab bridge - labeled by Indian authorities the world's highest railway bridge - and Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge. Both are parts of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line project, a 272-kilometer long railway link that Modi hailed as Jammu and Kashmir's "new strength" and a "testament to India's growing capabilities." The Chenab bridge, built over the river of the same name, towers 359 meters above the riverbed and rises 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower. It was constructed at an estimated cost of approximately $173 million, according to the official statement. The Anji bridge, a cable-stayed railway bridge constructed in a difficult Himalayan terrain, is 331 meters high and is anchored by 96 high tensile cables. The total length of the cables used in the bridge is 653 kilometers, the statement noted. Modi also announced new trains would run between Jammu's capital Srinagar, and Katra, where Vaishno Devi temple, one of the most visited and revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, is located. It marks the completion of a 42-year-old project to link Kashmir with the rest of the country via railway. A test run on his route was carried out by the railway authorities in December last year.
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- India Gazette
Modi inaugurates worlds highest rail bridge in Kashmir
The crossing is part of a new train line connecting the region to the rest of India for the first time Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated two railway bridges that are a part of a new link connecting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It is the first time he has been to the region since the deadly Pahalgam attack on tourists, which triggered a diplomatic and military clash between New Delhi and Islamabad. During his speech on Friday, Modi highlighted the importance of developing Kashmir's infrastructure. The region has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for decades. The prime minister opened the Chenab bridge - labeled by Indian authorities the world's highest railway bridge - and Anji bridge, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge. Both are parts of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Line project, a 272-kilometer long railway link that Modi hailed as Jammu and Kashmir's "new strength" and a "testament to India's growing capabilities." The Chenab bridge, built over the river of the same name, towers 359 meters above the riverbed and rises 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower. It was constructed at an estimated cost of approximately $173 million, according to the official statement. The Anji bridge, a cable-stayed railway bridge constructed in a difficult Himalayan terrain, is 331 meters high and is anchored by 96 high tensile cables. The total length of the cables used in the bridge is 653 kilometers, the statement noted. Modi also announced new trains would run between Jammu's capital Srinagar, and Katra, where Vaishno Devi temple, one of the most visited and revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, is located. It marks the completion of a 42-year-old project to link Kashmir with the rest of the country via railway. A test run on his route was carried out by the railway authorities in December last year. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link running through the rugged Himalayas was built at a cost of nearly $5 billion. It includes 36 tunnels spanning 119 kilometers and 943 bridges that allow travel through valleys and mountain passes by train, while previously connectivity in the region was only possible using dangerous roads or by air. The dedication of the rail link "marks a new chapter in mobility, trade and tourism for Jammu and Kashmir," New Delhi said. (
India.com
11 hours ago
- India.com
Top 6 Sites For History Enthusiasts To Explore In And Around Kausani
Kausani is situated amidst the splendid beauty of the Himalayan foothills in Uttarakhand. This scenic region is famous for its panoramic views of snow capped peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Besides its natural splendor, it also boasts a rich historical tapestry woven with ancient ruins that remind us of past eras. For history buffs and tourists who want to unravel some of India's past, here are some must-see ancient ruins in and around Kausani. 1. Baijnath Temple The Baijnath temple is an epitome of ancient architecture as well as devotion topping our list. Just 17 kilometers from Kausani stands this temple complex which dates back to the 12th century dedicated to Lord Shiva. Enclosed by the serene beauty of Katyuri Valley, intricate stone carvings and graceful sculptures make viewing a spectacle. It remains an active site where long-forgotten rituals still echo through time. 2. Bageshwar Temples Further off about 38 kilometers away from Kausani are the Bageshwar Temples. Situated at the confluence point of Rivers Saryu and Gomti, this sacred place contains numerous old shrines meant for different Hindu deities which were constructed between 7th to 16th centuries by Chand and Katyuri dynasties depicting hundreds years' achievements in artistry combined with exercise spiritual reverence. 3. Jageshwar Temples Go deeper into Uttarakhand mystic woods about eighty-five kilometers away from Kausani; you will discover Jageshwar Temples. Over one hundred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva are found in this complex which is located deep inside a serene valley amidst towering deodar trees. The temples date back to the 9th to 13th centuries and are known for their beautiful stone carvings and peaceful surroundings that make them a sought-after destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual rejuvenation as well as history buffs doing what they love best. 4. Katarmal Sun Temple About thirty-five kilometers away from Kausani, you will find the Katarmal Sun Temple – a hidden treasure in the hills. Built in the ninth century, it is one of the few sun temples in India dedicated to Surya, the Hindu solar deity. Located at an altitude, its architectural style reflects intricacies of Kumaoni art with sculptures representing celestial beings and mythological tales. The temple not only reveals ancient astronomy and religious practices but also offers breathtaking views of Himalayan ranges. Temple Complex Let your hair down, let loose and go spiritual! Chitai Temple Complex is located approximately fifty kilometers from Kausani. Dedicated to Golu Devta who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, people come here with bells as offerings praying for fulfilled wishes like no other temple does on Earth. This place has been standing for centuries now and contains lots of brass bells that have prayers inscribed on them that fill up the atmosphere with faithfulness. Rudreshwar Cave For those with a sense of adventure plus curiosity Patal Rudreshwar Cave makes a good fit on your itinerary. Situated around forty five kilometers off from Kausani this natural cave system holds religious importance and it's believed by most people that it's linked with the underworld. It is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites representing Lord Shiva thus creating a mystique feel that enchants devotees and tourists alike over centuries past. Conclusion The ancient ruins around Kausani take you through the pages of time, as they are steeped in spirituality. Each site not only boasts marvelous architectural achievements but also preserves Indian culture and religion since time immemorial. Regardless if you would rather visit temples or mysterious caves and waterfalls sanctuaries, travel around Kausani district promises rich experiences to uncover riddles of past life against a backdrop of the immaculate beauty of Himalayas.
