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The sacred portals of the Badrinath temple in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand were ceremoniously opened to devotees on Sunday morning following a six-month winter closure.

 

At the stroke of 6 a.m., the temple doors were unlocked to the resonant chanting of Vedic hymns. The temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was exquisitely decorated with 15 tonnes of flowers of various varieties to mark the occasion, officials said.

 

#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Shri Badrinath temple is being decorated with 40 quintals of flowers, ahead of its opening for devotees in the summer season on May 4

(Video source: Shri Badrinath Temple committee) pic.twitter.com/iRsJqa8yQ4

— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2025

 

Devotional music performed by the Indian Army further added to the sanctity of the occasion, drawing large crowds despite the early hour and biting mountain chill. Flower petals were showered on devotees as the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham were thrown open on Sunday morning, marking the resumption of the sacred Char Dham Yatra. 

 

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Flower petals being showered on the devotees as portals of Shri Badrinath Dham opened for the devotees today. pic.twitter.com/N4pbh1nmlP

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2025

 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, BJP’s Uttarakhand unit president Mahendra Bhatt, and Tehri MLA Kishore Upadhyay were present at the shrine to witness the ceremonial reopening.

 

The first puja was performed by the temple’s chief priest, Rawal, along with the Dharmadhikari and Vedpathis, following tradition. The portals of associated temples, including those of Ganesh, Ghantakarna, Adi Kedareshwar, Adi Guru Shankaracharya, and Mata Murti, were also opened to devotees.

 

According to local authorities, all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage to Badrinath Dham. Medical services, crowd control, sanitation, and accommodation have been enhanced in preparation for the pilgrimage season.

 

“With the opening of Badrinath temple, this year’s Char Dham Yatra has commenced in full swing,” an official stated.

 

The Char Dham Yatra — comprising Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — traditionally concludes after Diwali each year, when the portals are closed due to harsh winter conditions in the Himalayas. They reopen in April or May with the onset of spring.

 

The Kedarnath temple, another major Char Dham site, opened its gates last Friday, while the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines resumed pilgrimage on 30 April.

 

Lakhs of devotees from across India and overseas undertake the Char Dham Yatra annually, seeking spiritual solace in the lap of the Himalayas.