Shiva idol moves to Kedarnath shrine ahead of May 2 opening

Dehradun

On Monday, Lord Shiva’s idol, adorned with flowers, departed from its winter residence in Ukhimath for the Kedarnath shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas. The temple, closed during winter, is set to reopen for devotees on May 2. This ritual marks the annual transition of the idol from Ukhimath's Shri Omkareshwar Temple, where it is worshipped in winter, back to the Kedarnath temple before the grand reopening.

Carried on the Panchmukhi Doli palanquin by priests and members of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), the procession began with devotional tunes played by Army bands. The palanquin will reach Kedarnath on May 1, after stops at Guptkashi, Phata, and Gaurikund.

Preparations for the reopening of the gates are in full swing, with the Kedarnath temple’s gates set to open at 7 am on May 2. Due to the expected influx of pilgrims, VIP and VVIP darshan will be restricted for the first month of the Char Dham Yatra. The Uttarakhand chief secretary has requested all states to limit VIP access during this time.

Last year, 48 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham Yatra, and this year’s number is expected to reach a record 60 lakh. BKTC’s media in-charge, Harish Gaur, also urged pilgrims not to make social media reels within the temple’s 30-meter radius to preserve its sanctity.