Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially inaugurated the 2026 pilgrimage season at Shri Kedarnath Dham on Wednesday, opening the temple doors for devotees to offer prayers and commence darshan following traditional rituals.
In a post on X, Dhami stated, “Today, the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will be opened for the darshan of devotees with full rituals and Vedic mantra chanting. On this sacred occasion, we extend a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the holy Char Dham Yatra in the divine land of Uttarakhand. May Baba Kedar’s blessings make every pilgrim’s journey auspicious and blissful–this is our heartfelt prayer.”
Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar informed that security and management arrangements at Kedarnath Dham have been enhanced for the pilgrimage season. She emphasised that the use of mobile phones, drones, and any cameras for videography within the temple premises has been strictly prohibited.
“The gates of Kedarnath Dham are opening on April 22 at 8:00 AM. The ‘Doli’ (palanquin) has already arrived here, and along with it, a large number of devotees have also come. In accordance with the guidelines issued this time, making any kind of reels or videography in the temple courtyard is prohibited. The use of mobile phones within our perimeter is also prohibited,” SP Tomar told ANI.
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has prepared a “grand and divine” decoration for the occasion by adorning the ancient stone temple with approximately 51 quintals (5,100 kg) of multi-coloured flowers sourced from across India and abroad.
Temple committee member Vinit Chandra Posti noted that special preparations have been undertaken to enhance the shrine’s beauty using these flowers.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, authorities have advised devotees to carry heavy woollens, as temperatures remain near freezing due to recent snowfall.
The Char Dham Yatra, one of India's most important religious pilgrimages, formally began on Sunday with rituals across multiple shrines. The annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath Temple started with the ceremonial departure of the Panchmukhi palanquin of Lord Kedarnath from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple.
The send-off ceremony featured elaborate Vedic rituals, devotional chants, and participation from priests, officials, and numerous devotees. Kedarnath Rawal Bhimashankar Ling and senior officials, including district authorities, were present during the rituals.