Rudraprayag: In celebration of Mahashivratri, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) announced that the doors of Kedarnath Dham, the eleventh Jyotirlinga, will open on May 2 at 7 am. Worship of Lord Bhairavnath is scheduled for April 27, and the Panch Mukhi Doli of Baba Kedar will leave from Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath to Kedarnath Dham on April 28, according to a press release.
The decision regarding the opening date for Kedarnath Dham was made in the presence of Kedarnath Dham’s Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, duty bearer Chandi Prasad Bhatt, BKTC Chief Executive Officer Vijay Prasad Thapliyal, Panchgai Committee officials, and hundreds of devotees at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, following a Panchang calculation by religious leaders and Vedpathis.
Omkareshwar Temple was beautifully decorated for Mahashivratri, and the atmosphere was vibrant with excitement among devotees, who gathered in large numbers for darshan. The temple hosted Bhajan Kirtan in honor of Bholenath, and Prasad was distributed among attendees.
At the same time, a significant number of devotees continued to arrive at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj for the final day of Maha Kumbh 2025, which coincided with Maha Shivratri. The first Amrit Snan took place on January 13 during Paush Purnima, followed by additional sacred baths on Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Basant Panchami (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and concluding with the last snan on Maha Shivratri, February 26.
Maha Shivratri, known as the great night of Shiva, is deemed auspicious for spiritual development and symbolizes the triumph over darkness and ignorance. It also commemorates the divine marriage between Lord Shiva, the destroyer, and Goddess Parvati, the embodiment of fertility, love, and beauty, also referred to as Shakti (energy). According to Hindu mythology, during their wedding night, Lord Shiva was accompanied to Goddess Parvati’s home by a diverse entourage of gods, goddesses, animals, and demons. The union of Shiva and Shakti represents the essence of love, power, and harmony, and Maha Shivratri is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm throughout India.