Revival of Kedarnath's Sacred Aarti Ceremony: A Return to Tradition

The evening 'aarti' at the confluence of the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers in Kedarnath has resumed after a 12-year hiatus. Suspended after the 2013 'Himalayan Tsunami,' the ritual returned on May 4, 2023, organized by pilgrimage priests, fulfilling Uttarakhand's cultural and spiritual revival efforts.

The sacred evening 'aarti' at Kedarnath's Mandakini and Saraswati river confluence has been revived after a 12-year interruption. The ritual, halted following the tragic 2013 'Himalayan Tsunami,' resumed on May 4, two days after the temple's gates opened for devotees, marking a spiritual resurgence.

Performed daily by dedicated 'teerth purohits' (pilgrimage priests) with the support of Shri Kedar Sabha, the 'aarti' persists even amid inclement weather conditions. The initiative highlights the enduring commitment to spiritual traditions in the region.

Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve directed the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee to revive the 'aarti' as part of a broader effort to rejuvenate cultural and spiritual tourism at this revered site.

(With inputs from agencies.)