The portals of the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, which is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, will reopen for pilgrims and visitors on April 24.
The shrine in Rudraprayag district witnessed a low footfall of around 40,000 people between May and October, last year.Kedarnath, which was visited by almost 7 lakh pilgrims each year between May and October, witnessed a massive deluge in June, 2013. Over 4,000 people died in the Kedar Valley due to flash floods in the Mandakini river.
Currently, demolition of dilapidated buildings and restoration works by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) are underway in Kedarnath.
Rudraprayag District Magistrate Raghav Langer said, “Cottages that can accommodate upto 1,500 people in Kedarpuri (area where the shrine is situated) are under construction. The work would be over by mid-April.”
The portals were closed for the winter season on October 24, last year. And the idol of the shrine was taken to the Omkareshwar temple, which is in the town of Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district. The deity will be worshipped in the Omkareshwar temple till the portals of Kedarnath reopen.
