Kedarnath Temple reopened for devotees on Wednesday, officially kicking off the Kedarnath leg of the Char Dham Yatra 2026 with traditional rituals under tight security. The Yatra began earlier with Gangotri and Yamunotri in mid-April, and Badrinath is scheduled to open next. Organisers have introduced mandatory registration requirements for pilgrims.
A viral video from Kedarnath Temple shows devotees breaking barricades and pushing to reach darshan as the Char Dham Yatra began with doors opening on April 22. Authorities are also facing renewed scrutiny after a separate stampede incident at Sheetla Mata Temple, raising urgent questions about crowd management, safety measures, and how large pilgrim rushes are handled at sites of mass worship.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed devotees as Kedarnath Temple opened for pilgrims, calling the moment auspicious. In a message shared on X, he framed the Chardham yatra as a celebration of faith and unity, thanked those involved in preparations, and urged pilgrims to have a blessed journey while enjoying the spiritual significance of the trek to Kedarnath.
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