Hyderabad: Temples across the country have been decked up as Maha Shivatratri festival kickstarted on Saturday. Scores of devotees have begun thronging Lord Shiva temples, including the twelve Jyotirlingas, to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva in the wee hours. Kedarnath Dham is an exception because the portal remains closed for devotees during the winter season.
Although the sanctum-sanctorum of Kedarnath shrine will be out of bounds for devotees due to snowfall and inclement weather in the higher reaches of Himalayas. But on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri festival, the opening date of the Kedarnath shrine for devotees will be announced.
The tradition of fixing the auspicious date to open the door of the santum-sanctorum of Kedarnath Dham on Mahashivaratri, is followed since ancient times. Priests after going through the Panchang (religious calendar) will mark the auspicious date for bringing Lord from Ukhimath to Kailash. The ritual of bringing back the Lord from Ukhimath to Kailash is called Panchamukhi Chal Vigrah festival. Ukhimath in Uttarakhand is the winter abode of Lord Shiva.