Uttarakhand

• 06 Feb 2025

Badrinath Temple

Why in News? 

The Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district will open its sacred portals for devotees on 4^th May 2025. 

 Key Points 

• Decision on Badrinath Temple Opening: 
  • On the occasion of Basant Panchami, priests decided the auspicious time for opening the Badrinath temple after performing special prayers. 
• Annual Closing and Reopening of Char Dhams: 
  • After Diwali, authorities close the Char Dhams—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—for devotees. 
    • The portals reopen in April-May the following year. 

 Char Dham Yatra 

• Yamunotri Dham: 
  • Location: Uttarkashi district. 
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna. 
  • River Yamuna is the second-most sacred river in India after River Ganga. 
• Gangotri Dham: 
  • Location: Uttarkashi district. 
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga. 
  • Considered the most sacred of all Indian rivers. 
• Kedarnath Dham: 
  • Location: Rudraprayag district. 
  • Dedicated to: Lord Shiva. 
  • Situated on the bank of the Mandakini River. 
  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) in India. 
• Badrinath Dham: 
  • Location: Chamoli district. 
  • Home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple. 
  • Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu. 
  • One of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites.