Heavy Snowfall in Kedarnath Dham | 20 Jan 2024

Why in News?

After a sudden shift in the weather pattern in the high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Dham has been experiencing continuous and heavy snowfall.

Key Points

• According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Kedarnath is expected to hover in the range of -16 to -18 until January 23.
• Significant snowfall was reported at key locations such as Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, Rudranath, Niti Valley, and Mana Valley.
• Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has invited seers at the Badrinath Dham to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22.
  • The seven-day Vedic rituals for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya began on January 16.
• Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special 11-day 'anushthan' (ritual) ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple.
  • PM Modi will preside over the ceremonial installation of Shri Ram Lalla inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
• Ram temple will be open for 'darshan' for the general public from January 23, 2024.