Pilgrims outside Kedarnath temple
After a gap of nearly three months, pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath temples formally resumed today as the first batch of nearly 200 devotees paid obeisance at the two Himalayan shrines.
Yatra to these shrines was suspended after the flash floods on June 16 that killed more than a thousand people and caused large scale damage in the area, Rudraprayag SDM Laxmiraj Chauhan said.
To avoid pressure on the newly-built infrastructure in the area, only 100 devotees are currently being allowed to undertake Kedranath Yatra each day after registration at Guptkashi, Chauhan said, adding that the number may be gradually increased.
For the convenience of devotees, arrangements of food and lodging have been made at Bhimbali and Lenchauni between Gaurikund and Kedarnath, he said.
The devotees have to travel a distance of 17 km on foot from Munaktya to Kedarnath to reach the shrine, he said.
The second batch of 40-50 pilgrims, including two foreign nationals, is likely to arrive at Kedarnath soon, Chauhan said.
Union Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat also paid obeisance at the shrine along with his supporters, he said.
Pilgrimage to Badrinath, another major shrine of the 'Char Dham' circuit, also formally resumed today after an over three-month long suspension, Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti Chief Executive Officer BD Singh said.
Free food and lodging arrangements have been made for pilgrims by the temple committee, he said, adding that if the number of pilgrims increases additional community kitchens will be set up to meet the requirements.