Crowds of devotees throng the Kedarnath Dham, queueing for worship from early morning, the temple being kept open for 22 hours
The Kedarnath temple has extended its visiting hours to accommodate more devotees, remaining open for 22 hours out of the 24-hour day. This allows devotees ample time to experience the sanctum sanctorum, with darshan available from 11 am to 7 am. Additionally, the temple authorities are diligently carrying out online and offline pujas that have been booked by devotees. This arrangement ensures that worshippers can participate in spiritual rituals and receive blessings from the divine deity, even if they are unable to visit the temple physically.
According to Ajendra Ajay, the President of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the darshan timings at the Kedarnath temple are determined based on the number of pilgrims visiting the temple. Currently, the temple has extended its hours of operation to 22 hours in order to accommodate a larger number of devotees. This decision has been taken to ensure that more people have the opportunity to visit the sacred Kedarnath temple and seek blessings. By keeping the temple open for an extended period, the committee aims to provide a conducive environment for spiritual seekers to connect with the divine and experience the sanctity of the temple.
Over the past week, the Dham has been witnessing a significant surge in daily visitors, with numbers exceeding 20 thousand. Initially, from the opening of the temple doors until the second week of May, devotees were able to have darshan from the sanctum sanctorum. However, due to the increasing influx of devotees each day, arrangements have been made to facilitate darshan from the assembly hall instead. This adjustment has been made to accommodate the growing number of visitors while ensuring their spiritual experience remains meaningful. The temple authorities have taken this step to maintain a smooth and organized flow of darshan, allowing devotees to have a sacred glimpse of the deity from the assembly hall.
In light of the unfavorable weather conditions and the growing number of devotees, the Uttarakhand government has decided to extend the restriction on new online registrations for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra until June 15. As a result, individuals planning to embark on the pilgrimage will only be able to register for the yatra after June 16. This measure has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, as well as to manage the increased influx of visitors more effectively.
The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, along with the administration and police, is actively making arrangements to ensure the safe return of devotees to the Dham after their visit to Baba Kedarnath. These efforts are focused on providing a secure and well-managed environment for the pilgrims, ensuring their safety throughout their journey. The committee, in coordination with the relevant authorities, is committed to facilitating a smooth and hassle-free experience for devotees.
The ongoing Kedarnath Yatra, which commenced on April 25, has witnessed a significant increase in footfall compared to the previous year. In just 36 days since its commencement, the number of visitors has surpassed 6 lakh 30 thousand. This surge in pilgrim attendance highlights the growing popularity and significance of the sacred pilgrimage to Kedarnath. The authorities are working diligently to manage the influx of devotees and ensure a smooth and safe experience for all participants in the yatra.
As the rains bring cold weather to Kedarnath, the Nagar Panchayat has taken steps to provide warmth and comfort to the devotees visiting the Dham. Arrangements have been made to light bonfires near key locations such as the Swargarohani registration counter, Udak Kund, Gol Chabutare, and the Kedarnath temple premises. These bonfires aim to shield the pilgrims from the chilly temperatures and offer respite from the cold climate. By implementing such measures, the authorities aim to ensure the well-being and comfort of the devotees during their visit to the sacred Kedarnath region.
