Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): Today is Mahashivratri. Devotees of Lord Shiva are thronging Shiva temples. In this context, the date and time for the opening of the doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham, one of the four holy shrines in Uttarakhand, has been announced today. The doors of Baba Kedarnath Dham will open for devotees on April 22nd during the Taurus ascendant. The date for the opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham was announced at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the winter seat of Baba Kedarnath.
The auspicious date for the opening of the doors of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Lord Kedarnath Dham, was announced today on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. This decision was taken with Vedic chanting in the presence of learned scholars and right holders at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the winter seat, according to the calendar calculations. This year, the doors of Baba Kedarnath will be opened on April 22nd at 8 am in the Taurus ascendant. This year’s announcement was also special because the name of the new Rawal of Kedarnath Dham, “Kedar Ling,” was officially announced. The Omkareshwar Temple has been lavishly decorated for the occasion of Mahashivratri. As per tradition, the auspicious time for the opening of the temple doors was announced this morning after special prayers. Along with this, the complete schedule for the departure of Baba’s Panchmukhi Doli to the Dham was also released. The Kedarnath Yatra will begin on April 18th with Bhairav Puja at the Omkareshwar Temple, the winter seat of Baba Kedar. The Doli will depart from Omkareshwar Temple on April 19th and reach Phata. After spending the last night at Gaurikund on the 20th, the Doli will reach Kedarnath Dham on April 21st. On April 22nd, at 8 a.m., during the Taurus ascendant, the doors of Baba Kedarnath will be opened for general devotees. Kedarnath Dham is revered as the eleventh Jyotirlinga among the twelve Jyotirlingas. During the six summer months, humans worship Lord Kedarnath, while during the six winter months, deities worship him. Kedarnath Dham is one of the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand and the first of the Panch Kedars. During the winter, after snowfall in Kedarnath Dham, the doors are closed for six months, and winter worship is performed at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the winter seat.
The magnificent temple of Lord Kedarnath sits on the banks of the Mandakini River and on the Kedar Singh Mountains, between the foothills of the Meru-Sumeru Mountains. It is believed that during the Dwapar era, the Pandavas came to Kedarnath Dham to seek salvation from the sins of killing their clan. Lord Shiva appeared to the Pandavas here in the form of a buffalo. After this, the Pandavas established a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in the form of Kedarnath. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses a triangular Shivalinga. It is also believed that this Jyotirlinga dates back to the Satyayuga, and that during the Satyayuga, Nara and Narayana performed penance here. Kedarnath Dham is also the origin of the Mandakini River. The doors of Lord Kedarnath remain open for devotees for six months during the summer season, from April to May. During the winter season, the doors of Kedarnath are closed after Diwali on the festival of Bhaiya Dooj. This year’s announcement was also significant because the new Rawal of Kedarnath Dham, Kedar Linga, was officially announced. According to tradition, the Rawal is the supreme authority over the Dham’s worship rituals and religious arrangements. There was considerable curiosity and excitement among the priests and devotees regarding the appointment of the new Rawal.
The Rawal of Kedarnath, a confluence of the unwavering faith of the South and North: The arrangements at Lord Kedarnath Dham are as extraordinary as the unique priestly tradition. The “Rawals,” who officiate at the shrine, are a living example of Indian cultural unity. Traditionally, the Rawal of Kedarnath Dham belongs to the Veerashaiva (Lingayat) sect of Karnataka in South India. Following a tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya, scholars from this sect have been appointed as the chief priests for centuries. Following strict rules, the Rawal’s position is not only religious but also requires extreme discipline. The Rawal must remain unmarried throughout his life. All the temple’s rituals are performed under his supervision and instructions. The Rawal’s presence is mandatory on special occasions such as the opening and closing of the doors. The doors of the shrine are opened to general devotees only after their blessings and special prayers. T. Gangadhar Ling will assume the responsibility of the chief priest at Kedarnath: This year, T. Gangadhar Ling will assume the responsibility of the chief priest at Kedarnath shrine. While the Shanta Linga at the Guptkashi Vishwanath Temple and the Shiv Shankar Linga at Madhyamaheshwar have been assigned the responsibility.
It should be noted that the date for the opening of the doors of Badrinath shrine has already been announced on January 23rd. The doors of Badrinath shrine will open on April 23rd at 6:15 am with rituals and Vedic chanting. Furthermore, the opening dates for the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines have not yet been announced. However, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines open on Akshaya Tritiya, which also marks the beginning of the Chardham Yatra. However, an official announcement regarding these dates has not yet been made. This year, Akshaya Tritiya falls on April 19th.
