Panchmukhi idol departs for Kedarnath Dham; Temple doors to open on May 2

Ukhimath (
Uttarakhand
) [India], April 28 (ANI): The preparations for the opening of
Kedarnath
Temple for
Char Dham Yatra
2025 are in full swing. As part of the rituals leading up to the event, the Panchmukhi (five-faced) idol of Lord
Kedarnath
was ceremonially sent off to the shrine on Monday.

Before embarking on the journey, a special worship ceremony was held at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath,
Uttarakhand
.

The Panchmukhi idol, after undergoing a traditional Panch-Snan (fivefold ceremonial bath) and decoration, was placed on a decorated palanquin (doli). School children and residents lined the streets to welcome the doli with devotion.

The idol will rest tonight at its first stop-Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi.

According to the schedule, the doli will proceed to Phata on Tuesday, April 29. It will then move to Gaurikund on Wednesday, April 30. On Thursday, May 1, it is expected to reach
Kedarnath
Dham by evening.

The
Kedarnath
temple doors will open for devotees at 7:00 AM on Friday, May 2.

Badrinath
Kedarnath
Temple Committee (BKTC) media in-charge, Dr. Harish Gaur, said in a press release that preparations at
Kedarnath
Dham are complete. Arrangements have been made for drinking water, electricity, and accommodations for priests and temple staff.

Additionally, with the registration process for the
Char Dham Yatra
commencing on Monday,
Uttarakhand
Chief Minister
Pushkar Singh Dhami
is confident that all preparations are in place to conduct a successful Yatra.

“All preparations for
Char Dham Yatra
2025 have been done,” CM Dhami told ANI, adding, “Yamunotri and Gangotri doors will open on April 30;
Kedarnath
Dham on May 2; whereas
Badrinath
Dham will open on May 4.”Dhami further informed that all security arrangements related to travel and accommodation have been completed.

Char Dham Yatra
2025 registration also began on Monday, with special registration counters set up for the specially-abled, senior citizens, and foreign nationals. Whereas, 20 free registration counters have been installed as well, District Tourism Officer, Shushil Nautiyal, said. (ANI)