Kedarnath portals open for devotees after winter break

Dehradun: Amid Vedic chants and devotional fervour, the portals of Kedarnath were opened to pilgrims on Friday morning. Thousands of devotees gathered at the Himalayan shrine — located over 11,700 feet above sea level — to witness its ceremonial reopening after the six-month winter break.
Officials said the shrine saw a turnout of 16.5 lakh pilgrims in 2024, and as of May 2, 2025, a total of 23.5 lakh devotees have registered for this year's Char Dham yatra, including 30,492 foreign pilgrims. The portals of Badrinath are scheduled to open on May 4. The doors of the 11th Jyotirlinga were opened at 7.00 am, following the rituals. The temple was adorned with 108 quintals of flowers, and the Regimental Band of The Grenadiers played devotional music. An aerial flower shower added grandeur to the occasion.
The Panchmukhi Utsav Doli (ceremonial palanquin) of Lord Kedarnath arrived after passing through Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath (the winter seat of the deity), Guptkashi, Phata, and Gaurikund.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who attended the ceremony with his wife, said, "The govt has finalised all necessary arrangements to ensure a well-organized pilgrimage. Appropriate provisions for security and convenience have been made."