Kedarnath Temple Doors Reopen with Devotee Rush
On Friday morning, the sacred doors of Kedarnath Temple were reopened with Vedic chants as part of the Char Dham Yatra. On the very first day, over 30,000 devotees visited the temple, creating a record. According to official data, 19,196 were men, 10,597 women, and 361 others.

Devotional Celebrations and VIP Presence
The Garhwal Rifles band of the Indian Army played devotional songs during the opening ceremony. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the inauguration and distributed prasad to devotees at the “Mukhy Sevak Bhandara” in the temple premises. He also announced that the Badrinath temple will reopen on May 4.

CM Dhami said the state government is fully prepared to welcome devotees from across the country. He assured that all basic facilities are arranged along the pilgrimage route and that the Char Dham Yatra is being continuously monitored. He added that this pilgrimage supports the livelihood of thousands in the state.

Infrastructure Boost and Spiritual Significance
CM Dhami revealed that ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for Kedarnath redevelopment works, and the Central Government has approved a ropeway from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and an important part of the Char Dham Yatra. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit to offer prayers. The temple remains closed for about 6 months in winter due to heavy snowfall and reopens in summer for devotees.