Dehradun: The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened today on Friday. As soon as the doors opened, devotees saw the Akhand Jyoti burning inside the temple, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
With the opening of doors the whole Kedarghati echoed with the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’. After the opening ceremony, Rudrabhishek, Shivashtak, Shiva Tandava Stotra and Kedarashtak mantras were chanted.
The Chief Rawal Bhimshankar of Veerashaiva Lingayat community of Karnataka was the first to reach the temple. After this, the Bhishma Shringar that was offered to Baba six months ago was removed.
The Holy Kedarnath Temple has been decorated with 108 quintals of a large varieties of flowers including roses and marigold flowers brought from several countries like Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
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This year more than 25 lakh devotees are expected to reach Kedarnath Dham to have darshan and seek blessings of ‘Baba Kedar’.
The Chardham Yatra started from 30 April on the day of Akshay Tritiya. The doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham have already opened. The doors of Badrinath Dham will be opened on 4 May.
Bhishma Shringar
Bhishma Shringar is the ritual that takes about 5 hours and is performed while closing the doors of Kedarnath usually with the celebration of Bhai Dooj.
Today on Friday after the doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened, Bhishma Shringar was removed.
It includes, First of all, the removal of the pile of seasonal fruits and dry fruits kept near the Shivling. This is called Argha.
Then the garlands of one to 12 Mukhi Rudraksha offered to Baba are removed followed by the removal of white cotton cloth wrapped around the Shivling.
While closing the doors, 6 liters of melted pure ghee is applied on the Shivling, which accumulates at this time, it is slowly removed from the Shivling.
Finally the Shivling is bathed in the Ganges. After the cow urine, milk, honey and panchamrit bath, Baba Kedar is prepared by applying new flowers, ash paste and sandalwood tilak.
Badrinath Vishal Temple
Two days from today, the doors of Lord Badrinath Vishal will also open and the journey will start in full swing.
The State Govt has tried to ensure that the journey of the devotees is safe and they do not face any kind of trouble during the journey.
CEO Thapliyal
Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said that after the opening of the doors, token system will be implemented for darshan.