Portals of Kedarnath open; first puja held on PM's behalf
What's the story
The portals of Kedarnath opened on Monday after a six-month winter break with the first puja being held by priests on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said.
Only a select few people attended the temple's opening ceremony given the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a shadow on the Kedarnath pilgrimage for the second consecutive year.
Details
CM expressed happiness, prayed for welfare of the people
A Chardham Devasthanam Board official said that the portals opened at 5 am.
A limited number of temple priests, including Rawal Bhim Shankar Ling and Chief Priest Bagesh Ling, and officials of the administration and Devasthanam Board attended the ceremony.
Expressing happiness at the opening of the temple, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat prayed for the welfare and good health of the people.
Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra will start after the pandemic subsides
"The yatra to the temple is temporarily suspended for the sake of people's safety," Rawat said, asking people to have virtual darshan of Baba Kedar and perform puja at home.
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said that the Char Dham Yatra will be started soon after the pandemic subsides.
"The temple was decorated with eleven quintals of flowers on the occasion," the Board officials said.
Badrinath Temple
Badrinath temple to open on Tuesday
"COVID-19 norms like wearing of masks and social distancing were strictly followed by those attending the event," the member said.
While Yamunotri and Gangotri temples were opened on May 14 and May 15 respectively, Badrinath temple will open on Tuesday for the priests.
No pilgrims will be allowed to visit any of these temples till further orders due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Background
CM had suspended the Char Dham Yatra last month
Uttarakhand High Court had earlier in April asked the state government to issue standard operating procedures for the pilgrims of Char Dham Yatra.
Later, the Chief Minister suspended the yatra in view of the unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases.
Reportedly, the month-long Kumbh Mela, which was organized in Haridwar last month, became a super-spreader of coronavirus across the state.
Data
Uttarakhand recorded 4,047 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday
On Sunday, the state recorded a grim 4,047 fresh COVID-19 cases and 188 new COVID-19 related deaths, thus pushing the state tally to 2,87,286 cases and 4,811 COVID-19 deaths respectively. With 78,802 active cases, the state has reported 2,03,673 COVID-19 recoveries so far.