Uttarakhand: Portals Of Baba Kedarnath Temple Open, First Rudrabhishek Pooja Performed On Behalf Of PM Modi

The portals of the Himalayan shrine Kedarnath Dham were opened on Wednesday (29 April) at 6.10 am, and the 'Rudrabhishek Pooja' was offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the occasion, Uttarakhand Chief Minister also greeted all devotees.

This is the first time when the 'abhiskek' and 'arati' have been conducted in the absence of devotees as the Lord Shiva shrine opened as per schedule even amid the Covid-19 lockdown following the coronavirus outbreak. No one was allowed to visit the temple.

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.

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."

The temple has been decorated with 10 quintal of marigold, rose and other flowers by Satish Kalra, the donor from Rishikesh. Unlike previous years, the army band did not join the door opening ceremony of the Kedarnath Dham this time.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, in a tweet in Hindi, said: "The portals of 11th Jyotirling Kedarnath Dham has 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. May Lord Kedarnath make us capable of fighting this pandemic”.

The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in the state have already been opened on 26 April, while the portals of Shri Badrinath temple are scheduled to open on 15 May.

(With inputs from IANS)