Panchmukhi Doli of Lord Kedarnath Arrives at Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath
On a ceremonious Tuesday, the Panchmukhi Doli of Lord Kedarnath reached its winter seat at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, Uttarakhand. The journey began from the Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi, accompanied by the melodious tunes of an Army Band and local instruments. Devotees warmly welcomed the Doli, and the Omkareshwar Temple was beautifully adorned with flowers.
Ajendra Ajay, President of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), expressed his gratitude to the devotees and those involved in the Doli Yatra. Dr. Harish Gaur, BKTC media in-charge, announced that the Kedarnath temple doors were closed for the winter on Bhaiya Dooj, November 3. The Doli had left Rampur and reached Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi, the previous evening.
The procession from Guptkashi to Ukhimath included several stops, allowing devotees to offer prayers. The Doli was showered with flowers at various locations, including Guptkashi Bazaar, Vidyapeeth, Kund, Sansari, and Ukhimath Temple.
Kedarnath is one of the four sacred Dhams in Uttarakhand, along with Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath. These shrines close for about six months each year, reopening in April or May and closing in October or November. This year, over 40 lakh pilgrims visited these holy sites.
Doubts Revealed
Panchmukhi Doli -: Panchmukhi Doli is a special palanquin that carries the idol of Lord Kedarnath. ‘Panchmukhi’ means ‘five-faced’, referring to the representation of Lord Shiva with five faces.
Lord Kedarnath -: Lord Kedarnath is a form of Lord Shiva, one of the main gods in Hinduism. The Kedarnath Temple is a famous pilgrimage site in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Omkareshwar Temple -: Omkareshwar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Ukhimath, Uttarakhand. It serves as the winter seat for the idol of Lord Kedarnath.
Ukhimath -: Ukhimath is a small town in Uttarakhand, India. It is known for its religious significance and is the winter home for the deities of Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples.
Vishwanath Temple, Guptkashi -: Vishwanath Temple is another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Guptkashi, Uttarakhand. It is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Kedarnath.
Army Band -: An Army Band is a group of musicians from the Indian Army who play music during special events and ceremonies. They often accompany important religious and national events.
Four Dhams -: The Four Dhams are four sacred pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, India. They include Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and are visited by many devotees every year.
40 lakh pilgrims -: 40 lakh pilgrims means 4 million people. This number refers to the large number of people who visited the holy shrines in Uttarakhand this year.
