Portals Of Kedarnath Temple Open, First Puja Performed On Behalf Of PM. Here’s The Status On Other Shrines

The opening of the doors of Kedarnath also opens the doors of the three most important shrines in the Himalayas including Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

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Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), April 29: In a move that lightens up the mood of the nation amid lockdown, the doors of the Himalayan shrine, the Kedarnath Dham were opened on Wednesday at 6.10 am and the 'Rudrabhishek Pooja' was performed on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and only members of the shrine's committee and administrative officials attending it amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown. What exactly happened? It is the first time since lockdown that the temple that 'abhiskek' and 'arati' have been conducted in the absence of devotees in the temple. The shrine of Lord Shiva opened as per schedule even but one was allowed to visit the temple. However, no one was allowed to enter the temple. Only priests of the temple, and officials of the temple committee and administration were present during the puja. On the occasion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister also greeted all devotees. The shrine has been opened only to limited people so far. Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat in a tweet in Hindi, said: "The doors of Kedarnath Dham have opened today. My wishes and congratulations to all of the devotees. I wish that we would always continue to get the blessings of Shri Kedarnathji. The doors have been opened only to a limited number due to the coronavirus. May Lord Kedarnath make us capable of fighting this pandemic. May all devotees of Lord Shiva be healthy, happy and may the god bless the entire world." https://twitter.com/tsrawatbjp/status/1255321237112467461?s=20 At the time of opening A special worship was conducted at the temple at 3 am and thereafter chief priest Shiv Shankar Ling did the 'Samadhi Pooja' along with other formalities. Can you visit the shrine? The portals of the temple have been opened so that priests can offer prayers regularly, according to India Today report. Harish Gaur, media in-charge of Devasthanam Board, said: "Keeping in mind the social distancing norms, Shivshankar Linga performed the 'Jalabhisheka' of Lord Kedarnath. After the opening of the doors, the first Rudrabhishek Pooja was performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Gaur said, "In view of the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic, a limited number of board personnel, Hakukdhari Tirtha Purohit and people of administration have been allowed to visit the Kedarnath Dham." What was missing in the grand opening this year? On the occasion, the temple has been decorated with almost 10 quintal of marigold, rose and other flowers by Satish Kalra, the donor from Rishikesh. This year the army band did not join the door opening ceremony of the divine shrine because of the lockdown. This time priest Shivshankar Linga replaced priest Rawal Bhimashankar Linga of Kedarnath Dham, who is in 14-period quarantine in Ukhimath. What happens to other shrines? The opening of the doors of Kedarnath also opens the doors of the three most important shrines in the Himalayas. Sri Gangotri-Yamunotri Dham opened on April 26 on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, while the doors of Shri Badrinath Dham will open on May 15. These shrined are generally opened every year between April and May after a six-month closure because of the winter and snow. The trail leading up to the Kedarnath temple was covered with ice that has been removed by cutting through the glacier. (With inputs from Agencies)