PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ New Tehri
Along with the opening of the portals of Kedarnath Dham, the Tungnath shrine-the world’s highest Shiva temple and the third Kedar among the Panch Kedars- was opened for the devotees with traditional rituals and Vedic chanting on Wednesday.
The idol of the deity departed Chopta early in the morning and after it arrived, the main doors of the temple were opened at 11:00 AM. Devotees from India and abroad were present to witness this event of immense religious import. The whole complex of the shrine reverberated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Jai Baba Tungnath” during the portal opening ceremony.
Notably, this portal opening process began on April 20, when the Lord’s palanquin departed from its winter abode, Makkumath, and stayed the night at the Bhootnath Temple. The palanquin then reached its second stop, Chopta on April 21.
Following the opening of the portals, special prayers were offered to the deity for public welfare. Now, for the next six months, devotees will be able to visit Lord Tungnath at this shrine.
