Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), May 2 (HS): The shrine of Kedarnath, one of Lord Ashutosh’s twelve Jyotirlingas, were ceremoniously opened at 7 a.m. during the auspicious Bhrish Lagna. The event was marked by pious melodies and the chants of around 15,000 devotees gathered in Kedarpuri.

Devotees began arriving at the Kedarnath Dham, nestled between the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers at the Meru-Sumeru mountain range, as early as 3 a.m., filling the temple complex by 5 a.m.

Led by Rawal Bhima Shankar and main priest Bagesh Ling, a ceremonial canopy was presented at 6:30 a.m., where the CEO of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, welcomed them.

After completing religious formalities, the temple doors were formally opened, allowing devotees to partake in darshan of Lord Kedarnath from 8:30 a.m.

Dignitaries present included District Magistrate Dr. Saurabh Gahrawar and Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar