News Analysis India

Tag: Badrinath temple

  • Badrinath temple opens after winter closure

    By PTI
    GOPESHWAR: The famous temple of Badrinath in the upper Himalayan region of Uttarakhand opened after the winter break early on Tuesday amid traditional rituals.

    The chief priest of the temple, Ishwar Prasad Namboodiri, opened the portals of the temple at 4.15 am chanting Vedic hymns and praying for the well-being of all.

    However, the opening ceremony was a subdued affair with only a limited number of people, including the priests, the Dharmadhikari and administrative officials, attending it in compliance with the COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP).

    In normal circumstances, thousands of people turn up at the high-altitude temple dedicated to Vishnu to witness its opening ceremony.

    For the second consecutive year, the temple witnessed a simple, thinly-attended opening ceremony.

    The temple was decorated with around eight quintals of marigolds on the occasion.

    With the opening of Badrinath, all the four Himalayan temples known as char dham are now open in Uttarakhand.

    Kedarnath opened on Monday while Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on May 14 and 15 respectively.

    However, they have been kept out of bounds for pilgrims for the time being due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    It is being hoped that the pilgrims will be allowed to visit the temples after the pandemic subsides.

  • Kedarnath temple to reopen to devotees on May 17, Badrinath on May 18

    By PTI
    DEHRADUN: The portals of Kedarnath Temple will be reopened for devotees on May 17, a spokesperson of the Uttarakhand Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board said on Thursday.

    The idol of Lord Shiva will be moved out of its winter abode at Ukhimath’s Omkareshwar temple on May 14.

    The famous temple will reopen for devotees at 5 am on May 17.

    The temple was closed on November 16 last year.

    Badrinath Temple, which was closed on November 19, will reopen to devotees on May 18, the spokesperson said.

    Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will reopen on May 14.

    The Char Dham Yatra will begin this year after the reopening of the four temples.

    The portals of the four famous Himalayan shrines — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — are opened every year between April and May after a six-month closure during which they remain snowbound.

  • Uttarakhand: Badrinath to reopen for devotees on May 18

    By PTI
    DEHRADUN: The sacred portals of Badrinath will be reopened for devotees on May 18 this year.

    The gates of the famous Himalayan temple located in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district are closed every year with the onset of winter during which it remains snowbound.

    The temple will be reopened for devotees at 4.15 am on May 18, a Chardham Devasthanam Board official said.

    The auspicious hour and date for the reopening of the Himalayan temple was decided at a ceremony held on the occasion of Basant Panchami on Tuesday at Narendra Nagar palace, the residence of the erstwhile Tehri royals, he said.

    The oil containing pitcher (Gadu Ghada) which is sent from the palace to the temple ahead of the opening of its gates will leave for its journey to Badrinath on April 29.

    Badrinath had a delayed opening last year due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and a substantially reduced number of pilgrims could visit it owing to COVID-19 restrictions.