Kedarnath Dham covered in snow as cold wave grips Uttarakhand

National News Desk

Kedarnath Dham, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India, has been witnessing continuous and heavy snowfall since Wednesday evening, due to a sudden change in the weather pattern in the high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the minimum temperature in Kedarnath will remain in the range of -16 to -18 degrees Celsius until January 231.

The snowfall has added to the beauty and charm of the ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters above sea level. The temple, which was built by the Pandavas in the 8th century, is one of the four sites of the Char Dham Yatra, a holy pilgrimage for Hindus. The temple is also known for its miraculous survival during the 2013 flash floods, which devastated the region and killed thousands of people.

The snowfall has also affected the ongoing ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla, the idol of Lord Ram, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which is organizing the ceremony, had invited the seers of Badrinath Dham, another site of the Char Dham Yatra, to attend the event on January 22. However, due to the heavy snowfall, the seers could not travel from Badrinath to Ayodhya, and had to send their blessings and prayers through video conferencing.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla is a seven-day Vedic ritual, which began on January 16, to infuse life and divinity into the idol of Lord Ram, which will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The main event will be held on January 22, which marks the first anniversary of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, and other dignitaries will grace the occasion.

The snowfall has also brought joy and excitement to the locals and tourists, who have been enjoying the scenic views and the winter activities in the region. Many people have shared pictures and videos of the snow-covered Kedarnath Dham and other places on social media, expressing their awe and admiration. Some of the popular tourist attractions in Uttarakhand, such as Auli, Mussoorie, Nainital, and Dehradun, have also received fresh snowfall in the past few days.

Uttarakhand is known for its natural beauty and spiritual significance, and is home to many famous temples, such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. The state attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year, who come to seek the blessings of the gods and goddesses, and to enjoy the scenic and serene environment