On Sunday morning, the doors of the Sacred Shri Badrinath Dham opened ceremoniously, coinciding with the seventh day of Shukla Paksha in Baisakh and the Pushya Nakshatra. The occasion was enhanced by the Garhwal Scout Regiment band and chants of “Jai Badri Vishal,” while helicopters showered flower petals on over 15,000 attendees, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Rituals began at 4:30 AM with Shri Kuber Ji’s entrance, and by 6:00 AM, the temple was opened for darshan after a door worship led by Raval Amarnath Nambudiri and Vedic scholars. Other deities were positioned in the sanctum, allowing devotees to witness Lord Badri Vishal’s Nirvana before the grand abhishekam at 10:00 AM.
Previous Sunday, revered deities and Gadu Ghada were brought to the dham. Traditional dances and bhajan sessions created a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by free meals provided by generous donors and army personnel, including ITBP. Chief Minister Dhami encouraged nationwide participation in the Char Dham Yatra, projecting record numbers this year with nearly 2.5 million registrations, according to Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj. Promising improved management, BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi appointed new Vice Presidents and emphasized streamlined darshan processes. Surrounding temples also opened, attended by notable figures, including Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj.
