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The idol of Lord Shiva left its winter abode in Ukhimath on Monday for the Kedarnath shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas.

The ritual precedes the reopening of the portals of the Kedarnath temple that are scheduled for May 2. Every year the portals are closed during winter.

As per an official release, the portals of Shri Badrinath Dham will open on May 4. Meanwhile, the doors of Shri Madmaheshwar Temple (the second Kedar) will open on May 21, and the third Kedar, Shri Tungnath Temple, will also reopen on May 2.

Baba Kedar is worshipped during winter at Ukhimath's Shri Omkareshwar Temple and shifted back to the Kedarnath temple before the ceremonial opening of its gates every year.

The palanquin -- "Panchmukhi Doli" -- carried on the shoulders of priests, Vedpathis and functionaries of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), left in a procession amid the playing of devotional tunes by Army bands.

It will reach Kedarnath on May 1 after overnight halts in Guptkashi, Phata and Gaurikund, BKTC media in-charge Harish Gaur said. The gates of the Kedarnath temple will be opened at 7 am on May 2.

Preparations for the reopening of the gates are going on in full swing, he said, adding that VIP and VVIPs darshan would be restricted for the first one month after the start of the Char Dham Yatra considering the huge rush of devotees.

Uttarakhand's chief secretary has already written to his counterparts in all states, requesting them to keep VIP and VVIP darshan on hold for one month, Gaur said.

"Last year, 48 lakh pilgrims came for the Char Dham Yatra. This year, the number is expected to reach a record 60 lakh," he added.

Gaur also said that all arrangements have been made for Char Dham Yatra pilgrims but appealed to them not to make social media reels within the temple's 30-metre radius to maintain its sanctity.

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