Tuesday, 07 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Panch Mukhi idol of Lord Kedarnath was carried by devotees after ceremonial worship at the Omkareshwar Mandir in Ukhimath on its journey towards Kedarnath on Monday. The band of the sixth Grenadiers Regiment played devotional tunes as throngs of devotees and priests accompanied the procession of the lord towards Kedarnath. The procession reached Vishwanath temple in Guptkashi in the evening. Thousands of devotees welcomed the procession and paid their obeisance to the lord on the occasion.
Meanwhile, nearly 21 lakh people have registered to visit the Char Dham shrines. According to information provided by officials, 7,24,154 people have registered to visit Kedarnath while 6,22,054 have registered to visit Badrinath, 3,73,528 for Gangotri and 3,29,122 for Yamunotri. In addition to this, 42,153 have registered to visit Hemkund Sahib. A total of 20,91,011 people have registered to visit these shrines so far.
It is pertinent to mention here that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is laying special focus on ensuring proper arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman Ajendra Ajay greeted all the devotees on the occasion of the Panch Mukhi Doli’s departure from the lord’s winter abode to Kedarnath. After a night stay in Guptkashi, the Doli will depart from Guptkashi on Tuesday and reach Fata. On Wednesday it will pass through Gaurikund and on Thursday it will pass through Gauri Mata Mandir in Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath on the evening of May 9. The portals of Kedarnath temple will be ceremoniously reopened to the devotees at 7 AM on Friday. The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri are also slated to be reopened to the devotees on May 10 while Badrinath will be reopened to the devotees on May 12.
