On 2nd May 2025 at precisely 7:00 AM the gates for Kedarnath Dham were opened for devotees which marks the start of Char Dham Yatra for the year 2025. The highly anticipated opening drew thousands of pilgrims, who came to witness the Vedic pujas early in the morning on that day.
A Sacred and Majestic Opening Ceremony
The day started with a strong feeling of worship as more than 15,000 pilgrims rushed to Kedarnath. Many had arrived as early as 3:00 AM, eager to witness the opening of the temple. By 5:00 AM, the air was filled with the chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” as anticipation reached its peak. The religious songs sung by a military band added to the atmosphere, signaling that the temple was opening once again.
Traditional Rituals and Ceremonial Processions
The opening ceremony started with the auspicious arrival of the Panchmukhi palanquin, a symbol of Kedarnath’s idol, representing divine supremacy. Bhimashankar Linga Rawal Bhimashankar, the head priest, along with Chief Priest Bagesh Ling, performed the kula sathak rituals to confirm the temple’s dome will remain spiritually active for the forthcoming months. He added that the process of the Dev Chhadi — divine staffs that temples used to bear during the processions before 1964 — also chanted before the sanctum.
At exactly 7:00am the doors of the temple were opened with a serpent shaped key which has always been used, signifying the merging of the physical and spiritual world. As the gates were slowly opened, the ground was resonating with the chanting, and the temple reverberated with a divine presence, sharing its spiritual aura with the entire valley of Kedarnath.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Grace the Opening
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and his wife, who spent time with the other guests. The CM offered a holy garland of cloves to Lord Kedarnath, adding greater significance to the occasion. District Collector Dr. Saurabh Gaharwar and SP Akshay Prahlad Konde, from the local police, were present in the large congregation of devotees and participated in the sacred moment.
The Start of Char Dham Yatra 2025
The opening of Kedarnath marked the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra, one of India’s most revered pilgrimages. Every year, lakhs of devotees journey to these high-altitude shrines, seeking blessings from the divine. The Char Dham Yatra includes visits to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, each offering unique spiritual experiences.
Set at a height of 3,583 meters, Kedarnath is well known for its association with lord shiva, who is considered to reside there in jyotirlinga form. The temple’s awe-inspiring location between the Meru-Sumeru mountain ranges makes it one of the holiest sites in Hinduism.
Spiritual Significance and Rituals
Following the temple’s opening, the rituals continued with the revival of After the temple was opened, rituals continued with the revival of the Lord Kedarnath Idol by Chief Priest Bagesh Ling. The Shodashopachara Pooja and Aarti was performed in reverence to Lord Shiva setting the spiritual sentiment for the next six months. At 8:30 AM, the temple was officially opened for public darshan, with devotees eagerly entering the sanctum to seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
A Six-Month Pilgrimage Begins
The opening of the doors for Kedarnath signifies that the temple will be open for darshan for the next six months.The peak pilgrimage months are anticipated to bring in hundreds of devotees who intend to receive blessings and feel the spiritual impact of the temple. The Kedarnath Dham is expected to continue playing a pivotal role in India’s spiritual landscape as the Char Dham Yatra 2025 unfolds.
Throughout the Char Dham Yatra, Kedarnath will continue to shine as a source of hope for travelers from all over looking for a shift in their spiritual state.
