Dehradun, April 23
The Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand reopened for devotees on Thursday morning after remaining closed for six months during winter, with around 15,000 pilgrims attending the ceremony held with traditional rituals and prayers.
The temple gates were opened at 6.15 am following Vedic rituals. The first puja after reopening was performed in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present at the ceremony and reviewed arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra. He said the state government has made preparations to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage and appealed to devotees to help maintain cleanliness during the yatra.
The temple premises were decorated with flowers for the occasion. Devotional songs and chants filled the air, while local women performed traditional dances during the celebrations. Devotees from different parts of the country participated in the opening ceremony, marking the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season.
Other key shrines of the Char Dham circuit, including Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, have already opened for pilgrims. With the reopening of the Badrinath temple, the Char Dham Yatra is now fully underway, and authorities are focusing on managing pilgrim movement and ensuring safety throughout the season.
