Posted on by Jerome Anthony

In pics: Thousands visit Kedarnath as Char Dham Yatra begins; doors of Badrinath temple to open on May 12

The doors of the revered Himalayan temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Yamunotri were opened at 7 am in the presence of a hundreds of devotees who were chanting hymns. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his wife Geeta were present as the doors of Kedartnath temple opened for devotees. (Image: PTI)
The Char Dham Yatra commenced on May 10 as doors of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas were opened for devotees on Akshaya Tritiya after remaining closed during the winter months. The doors of the revered Himalayan temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Yamunotri were opened at 7 am in the presence of a hundreds of devotees who were chanting hymns. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami along with his wife Geeta were present as the doors of Kedartnath temple opened for devotees.
The Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples of Uttarakhand opened for devotees on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Friday (May 10). The Chardham Yatra began as the doors of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas were opened for devotees after remaining closed during the winter months. (Image: PTI)
The Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples of Uttarakhand opened for devotees on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Friday (May 10). The Char Dham Yatra began as the doors of Kedarnath and Yamunotri temples in the Garhwal Himalayas were opened for devotees after remaining closed during the winter months. (Image: PTI)
"It is an auspicious day for which we wait throughout the year. I welcome you all on the occasion. May you all be showered with the blessings of Baba Kedar," Dhami said, while addressing a gathering outside the temple after offering prayers. (Image: PTI)
“It is an auspicious day for which we wait throughout the year. I welcome you all on the occasion. May you all be showered with the blessings of Baba Kedar,” Dhami said, while addressing a gathering outside the temple after offering prayers. (Image: PTI)
About 10,000 devotees witnessed the opening of the portals (doors) of Kedarnath. In accordance with tradition, devotional hymns were also played by a band of the Army's Grenadier Regiment. (Image: PTI)
About 10,000 devotees witnessed the opening of the portals (doors) of Kedarnath. In accordance with tradition, devotional hymns were also played by a band of the Army’s Grenadier Regiment. (Image: PTI)
The temple was decorated with over 20 quintals of assorted flowers. At the time of opening of the doors of the shrine, flowers were also showered on pilgrims by helicopter. (Image: PTI)
The temple was decorated with over 20 quintals of assorted flowers. At the time of opening of the doors of the shrine, flowers were also showered on pilgrims by helicopter. (Image: PTI)
The doors of Gangotri shrine opened in the afternoon and those of Badrinath will open on Sunday (May 12). (Image: Shutterstock)
The doors of Gangotri shrine opened in the afternoon and those of Badrinath will open on Sunday (May 12).
Devotees arrive to offer prayers at the Kedarnath Temple after its portals opened, marking the start of the 'Char Dham Yatra', in Kedarnath, Friday, May 10, 2024. (Image: PTI)
Devotees arrive to offer prayers at the Kedarnath Temple after its portals opened, marking the start of the ‘Char Dham Yatra’, in Kedarnath, Friday, May 10, 2024. (Image: PTI)
The doors of Yamunotri dham located in Uttarkashi district were also opened for the devotees at 7 am. Thousands of devotees were present at the temple premises chanting 'Jai Maa Yamuna' as its doors opened. (Image: Shutterstock)
The doors of Yamunotri dham located in Uttarkashi district were also opened for the devotees at 7 am. Thousands of devotees were present at the temple premises chanting ‘Jai Maa Yamuna’ as its doors opened. (Image: Shutterstock)