The sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham will reopen on May 2, followed by Shri Badrinath Dham on May 4, the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced on Friday.
An advance team from the temple committee reached Kedarnath on Friday evening to oversee preparations. “The doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham are going to open on May 2,” a BKTC spokesperson confirmed.
According to an official release, Shri Madmaheshwar Temple—the second of the Panch Kedar—will open on May 21, while the third Kedar, Shri Tungnath Temple, will reopen alongside Kedarnath on May 2.
BKTC Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal recently finalized the reopening date of Madmaheshwar Temple during a meeting at Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. He was lauded by the Kedar Sabha for his collaborative efforts with local priests and temple caretakers.
Earlier this week, Thapliyal also inspected several key religious and administrative sites, including Maa Barahi Temple (Sansari), Masta Narayan Koti, Shri Triyuginarayan Temple, Gauramaata Temple, Gaurikund, the Temple Committee Rest House at Sonprayag, and the Sanskrit College at Shonitpur (Guptkashi).
The Char Dham Yatra—one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimages—comprises visits to four Himalayan shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Devotees traditionally begin the journey in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri and ending at Badrinath.
Pilgrims can undertake the yatra by road or opt for helicopter services. Some devotees also choose a shorter version called the Do Dham Yatra, visiting only Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has emphasized the importance of the pilgrimage, both spiritually and economically. “Char Dham Yatra is a lifeline for our state’s economy. The preparations are underway, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our pilgrims,” he said during a review meeting on April 10.