Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): With campaigning for the fiercely-fought Lok Sabha polls 2019 coming to an end on Friday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his two-day visit to Uttarakhand on Saturday, and visited the Kedarnath shrine. PM Modi is also expected to offer prayers at the Badrinath shrine on Sunday before returning to Delhi on the same afternoon.
Donning the traditional attire of the Himalayan state, Modi offered prayers at the temple for around half-an-hour and undertook circumambulation of the shrine.
Apart from meditating, Modi is also likely to take stock of the development work underway in the temple town, states an official statement released by the PM's office.
With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) still in force, the Election Commission has reportedly given its permission for the visit on the ground that it is an official visit, while "reminding" the Prime Minister's Office of the poll code.
Also read: PM Modi holds meeting with U'khand Chief Secretary over Kedarnath re-development
The Himalayan shrine, dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva, has been visited multiple times by PM Modi during his five-year stint as Prime Minister.
In November 2018, Modi had visited the Kedarnath shrine during Diwali.
In 2017, he paid visits to the temple twice, once in May after its gate had opened following a six-month winter break and again in October, before the temple again closed for winters.
