Kedarnath shrine Dham reopens for public

Dehra Dun, Apr 30 (UNI) Doors of the holy Kedarnath Shrine, one of the four ''Dhams'', situated in the Rudra Himalaya range in Uttarakhand, were reopened today for the public after closure for six months during the winter season.

The doors were opened at 0430 hrs amid vedic rituals and chanting of hymns in the presence of the representatives of local administration, priests and thousands of devotees who had reached the shrine to witness the ceremony. The Kedarnath shrine, located at a height of 3581 meters, was built by Adi Shankaracharya.

It is the highest among 12 Jyotirlingas.

As winter approaches in November, the shrine gets closed for the public and the holy statue of Lord Shiva is carried down to Ukhimath for worship. The statue is reinstated at Kedarnath and doors of the shrine reopen for the public with the advent of summer.

Badrinath Shrine is scheduled to open tomorrow. Gangotri and Yamunotri shrine had already opened on April 19. Last season a record number of 5 lakh pilgrims visited the Kedarnath Shrine and offerings amounting to Rs 2 crore were received at the shrine, according to Anusuiya Prasad Maikhuri, the Chairman of Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee.

UNI