As the sacred site prepares to reopen for pilgrims on May 10, a series of unique puja rituals were conducted in advance of the event. The rituals started on Sunday.
The worship of Lord Bhairavnath at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, the winter residence of Panch Kedar—the collective name for the five revered shrines of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpnath—started the ritual on Sunday evening. Until late at night, people continued to worship Lord Bhairavnath.
‘Panchmukhi Doli Yatra’ carrying Baba Kedarnath’s Panchmukhi Bhogmurti (five-faced idol) will set out from Ukhimath on Monday and arrive at Kedarnath Dham in the evening on May 9 after stopping at various locations.
The Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath is the starting point of the Vishwanath temple yatra, which ends in Guptkashi. Yatra will leave Guptkashi for its second stop, Fata, on May 7. On May 8, it will leave Fata and travel to Gaurikund, the third stop. The Panchmukhi Doli Yatra from Gaurikund will arrive at Kedarnath Dham in the evening of the following day.
