After organising the Opening Ceremony at 5 am, the portals of Kedarnath Temple were opened today for devotees. Soon after reopening of the temple, the Uttarakhand government said that the portals were opened but pilgrims were not allowed due to Covid-19. It said that in view of the pandemic, 'Chardham Yatra' was temporarily suspended. "Only rituals are being performed with no pilgrims allowed," it said.
The famous temple was closed last year on November 16. On May 14, the idol of Lord Shiva was moved out of its winter abode at Ukhimath's Omkareshwar temple. Today, it was opened for devotees after opening ceremony.
The first puja was held by priests on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the gates of the famous Himalayan temple were opened at 5 am, a Chardham Devasthanam Board official said. The temple was decorated with eleven quintals of flowers on the occasion.
Gangotri and Yamunotri temples were reopened on May 14. Badrinath will open on Tuesday for the priests to perform regular prayers.