Kedarnath Dham portals open for devotees amid tight security; Char Dham Yatra 2025 in full swing

NEW DELHI: The portals of the revered Kedarnath Dham were opened to devotees on Friday morning at 7am, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra 2025.
The event was accompanied by vedic chants, rituals, and flower decorations, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across the country and abroad.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Akshay Prahlad Konde affirmed that the safety of devotees is a top priority. "This yatra is on such a large scale that our priority is the safety and security of the devotees... Proper security forces have been deployed for both security and management purposes," said SP Konde.
The temple has been beautifully adorned with 13 quintals of flowers, setting a divine atmosphere for the thousands of devotees expected to visit. The idol of Baba Kedarnath reached the temple premises on May 1, and the ceremonial opening of the temple doors took place early Friday morning, fulfilling the long-awaited spiritual aspirations of many.
CEO of the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee, Vilay Thapliyal, noted, "Today is an auspicious day with the opening of the Kedarnath Dham. We have made grand preparations this time."
In a major logistical enhancement, helicopter services from Sonprayag have commenced for the Kedarnath Yatra. Operator Pawan Rana shared that "online tickets are available on IRCTC, while offline tickets can be obtained through the District Magistrate or Sector Magistrate. We operate around 20 to 30 shuttles daily, serving over 150 pilgrims."
He added that operations are strictly subject to weather conditions, and passenger safety is a priority. "Every passenger is properly briefed before flying. In case of bad weather, flights are suspended, and tickets are refunded," he said.
Meanwhile, the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham were opened on Wednesday, April 30, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, officially launching the Char Dham Yatra 2025. The opening ceremonies included Vedic rituals, festive processions, and thousands of devotees taking holy dips in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Kapadodghatan ceremony and performed the first puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praying for a safe and prosperous pilgrimage season. Dhami also became the first Chief Minister to attend the opening at Yamunotri Dham.
With over 22 lakh devotees already registered at the Rishikesh Transit Camp, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 is expected to see record participation. The government has assured that extensive arrangements, including traffic control, accommodation, medical facilities, and sanitation, have been made to ensure a smooth and secure journey for all pilgrims.
(With agency inputs)