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Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), April 30: As the sacred Kedarnath Dham prepares to welcome devotees, the revered temple is being beautifully adorned with 13 quintals of vibrant flowers. The grand preparations come ahead of the official reopening of the temple’s doors on May 2 at 7 AM.
The idol of Baba Kedarnath will be ceremoniously brought to the temple on May 1, marking a significant moment in the annual pilgrimage season. Located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is one of the holiest Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts thousands of devotees from across the globe every year.
The temple’s opening signals the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra, a spiritually significant journey through four sacred shrines in Uttarakhand.
On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the sacred portals of Shri Gangotri Dham and Yamunotri Dham in Uttarakhand were opened for devotees on Wednesday, marking the official commencement of the Chardham Yatra 2025. The opening ceremonies were held with traditional Vedic chanting and rituals, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for the pilgrims.
In a heartwarming gesture, flowers were showered from a helicopter over the devotees gathered at the shrines, adding to the divine celebrations.
Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, a serious incident occurred at the Simhachalam Temple, where a wall collapse raised safety concerns. YSRCP MLC Botcha Satyanarayana has demanded a judicial probe into the matter to ensure accountability and prevent such incidents in the future.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took part in the Kapadodghatan ceremony at both Dhams and performed the first puja at Yamunotri Dham in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ceremony marks the opening of the portals for the sacred Chardham Yatra.
During the rituals, CM Dhami prayed for the successful and smooth conduct of the Chardham Yatra and extended his wishes for the happiness, prosperity, and well-being of the nation and the state of Uttarakhand. This marks a historic moment as Dhami becomes the first Chief Minister to attend the Kapadodghatan at Yamunotri Dham.
The Chardham Yatra holds immense spiritual significance for millions of devotees, and this year’s opening saw a blend of tradition and reverence under the leadership of CM Dhami.
Doors of Gangotri : Kedarnath
In line with religious traditions, the sacred doli (palanquin) of Maa Ganga reached the revered Gangotri Dham on Wednesday morning from the Bhairav Temple located in Bhairav Valley. The temple doors were ceremoniously opened for devotees at 10:30 AM, following special rituals, including Vedic worship and abhishek at the Gangotri shrine.
Simultaneously, the palanquin of Maa Yamuna, accompanied by Shanidev Maharaj, made its spiritual journey from Kharsali—her winter abode—to Yamunotri Dham. These auspicious events mark the annual reopening of the Char Dham temples in Uttarakhand, drawing thousands of devotees and pilgrims from across the country.
The sacred portals of Yamunotri Dham were ceremoniously opened for devotees today at 11:55 AM amid traditional Vedic rituals and chants. The spiritual atmosphere was heightened as thousands of pilgrims, both from across India and abroad, gathered to witness the lighting of the Akhand Jyoti and took holy dips in the revered waters of the Ganga and Yamuna, seeking divine blessings and spiritual merit.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marked his presence at the grand opening ceremonies of both Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams. He offered prayers and bowed at the holy shrines of Maa Ganga and Maa Yamuna, performing special pujas for the well-being of the state and its people.
The Char Dham Yatra has officially begun with this auspicious opening, signaling the start of one of the most significant annual pilgrimages in India.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marked the formal commencement of the Chardham Yatra on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, highlighting the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage for devotees across India and abroad.
On this special day, CM Dhami also received blessings from the palanquins of folk deities that arrived at both the revered Dhams. Speaking at the event, he underlined the importance of the Char Dhams — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — as powerful centers of devotion and faith.
He assured that the state government has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a safe, smooth, and well-organized pilgrimage experience for all visitors. “We have focused on providing all essential facilities with the comfort and convenience of the devotees as our top priority,” said the Chief Minister.
Special attention is also being given to traffic regulation and crowd management to ensure a hassle-free journey for pilgrims undertaking the sacred yatra.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth, spiritually enriching, and environmentally responsible Char Dham Yatra for all devotees. Reflecting the Indian tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God), CM Dhami stated that it is the government’s constant endeavour to make sure that pilgrims visiting Devbhoomi Uttarakhand return with not only the divine blessings of the Char Dhams but also with a pleasant and memorable travel experience.
The Chief Minister also appealed to citizens, pilgrims, and local stakeholders to extend full cooperation in making the Char Dham Yatra a green and clean pilgrimage. He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the natural sanctity of the region while promoting sustainable practices during the yatra.
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