Dehradun: Preparations have been completed in the Shri Omkareshwar temple complex located in Ukhimath to decide the date of opening of the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The date of opening of the doors will be decided on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivaratri. on Saturday. Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has made special preparations for the ceremony to be held on the occasion of the date of opening of the doors.
The entire temple complex is decorated with flowers. BKTC President Ajendra Ajay said that “every year on the occasion of Shivratri, the date of opening of the doors of Kedarnath is decided in a program organized at Omkareshwar Temple, the winter worship place of Baba Kedar.” On the occasion of Shivratri, worship will start in the Omkareshwar temple from morning itself.
After bathing and adorning the deity, bhog will be offered along with Mahabhishek puja. After this Vedpathi Panchag will declare the date of opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham. Along with this, the program for the idol of Baba Kedar to go from Ukhimath to Kedarnath will also be decided.
Earlier, on the occasion of Basant Panchami, the time and date for opening the portals of the famous temple was fixed as per tradition in a special function organized at the Rajmahal located in Narendra Nagar. The doors of Shri Badrinath Dham will open the next morning on April 27.
Badrinath Dham is one of the four ancient pilgrimage sites known as ‘Char Dham’ which also includes Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath. It is located in Badrinath city of Uttarakhand. It is open for six months (between late April and early November) every year.