Kedarnath Dham portals to open for pilgrims today

DEHRADUN: The portals of Kedarnath Dham will open around 8am on Wednesday after a six-month winter break, with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expected to attend the ceremony. Authorities said a large number of pilgrims from across the country and abroad had already reached Kedarnath to participate in the ceremony.Police and district administration have tightened security, deploying personnel along the pilgrimage route and in the Dham area. Rudraprayag district administration has made arrangements, including road repairs, traffic management, toilets, accommodation, food and drinking water along the trekking route. Electricity and solar lighting have also been ensured. Medical relief posts have been set up by health department at intervals of 2km.Tourism secretary Dhiraaj Singh Garbyal said, “Arrangements have also been made to provide hot water to devotees at Lincholi and Kedarnath.” In recent years, Kedarnath has seen the highest pilgrim footfall among the four Char Dham shrines and has also received the highest online registrations. This year, over 20 lakh bookings have been made, of which around 7 lakh are for Kedarnath, followed by 5.9 lakh for Badrinath, 3.5 lakh for Gangotri and 3.4 lakh for Yamunotri.