Portals of Kedarnath temple open; first puja performed on behalf of PM

Amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown, the portals of the Kedarnath temple were opened on Wednesday and performed puja on behalf of PM Modi. Following the COVID-19 lockdown rules, members of the shrine's committee and administrative officials has only attended the puja.

Dehradun: The portals of the Kedarnath temple were opened on Wednesday with the first puja 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.

This time full precautions were taken with regard to social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus threat. At the time of the opening ceremony only 16 persons, including the chief priest and those associated with the temple committee had the permission to remain present in the pilgrimage centre premises.

The eleventh Jyotirlinga Kedarnath’s door was opened at 6:10 am , which is in the Mesh Lagna and Punarvasu Nakshatra, following complete rituals and prayers.

The portals were opened after six months of winter break during the lockdown. The temple covered by thick layer of snow was decorated by ten quintals of marigold flowers.

There were only 16 persons associated with the opening ceremony were present at the pilgrimage centre because devotees were not allowed to visit on account of the coronavirus pandemic. Only members of the administration, police and other essential services could witness the ceremony.

As per the government advisory, there is a ban on pilgrimage journeys by devotees to all the four centres. Only the doors have been opened for the time being so that the chief priest can offer daily prayers.

The rituals had started at 3:00 am in the morning. Chief priest Shiv Shankar Linga performed the ritual of opening the door.

There is a strict ban on the entry of devotees to Kedarnath in order to maintain social distancing. Common devotees were kept away from the opening ceremony because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ban of devotees is applicable to all the four main pilgrimage centres of Uttarakhand.

Before this, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri in the Uttarkashi district were opened on April 26, on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, an auspicious day. The Badrinath pilgrimage centre in Chamoli will open on May 15.

All the four famous Hindu pilgrimage centres in Gadhwal region of Himalayas are kept closed every year during October-November because of severe cold and heavy snow fall. They are re-opened in April-May.