Kedarnath Yatra Halted For Three Days Amid Heavy Rainfall Alert In Uttarakhand

The Kedarnath Yatra has been halted for three days due to a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department, warning of heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Authorities have been put on high alert to ensure the safety of pilgrims and locals. IMD predicted heavy rain for Rudraprayag district and other parts of the state on August 12, 13, and 14. Landslides in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district have forced the closure of more than 23 roads, including four key routes.

"As per the predictions by the IMD, red and orange alerts have been predicted in Rudraprayag and other districts of the state. The administration has been put on alert and security arrangements have also been made," District Magistrate Prateek Jain said in a video statement.

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He added, "We are keeping a check on the rising water levels of the river here. We also appeal to residents to shift to safer places and be safe...All personnel, including the police, public work department and disaster management teams, have been asked to be on alert. We will be keeping a check on the weather, and will let the public know when the Kedarnath Yatra will resume."

More About Kedarnath Yatra:

The Kedarnath Yatra is a revered Hindu pilgrimage to the Shri Kedarnath Jyotirlinga Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, it's one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the four Char Dhams of Uttarakhand.

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Best Time To Visit Kedarnath Temple:

The temple is open for about 6 months a year, typically from late April or early May to October or early November. The best times to visit are generally May-June and September-October to avoid heavy monsoon rains and extreme winters.

The Kedarnath temple opens around 4 am and closes around 9 pm. Besides the main shrine, devotees often visit nearby places like the Bhairav Temple, Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and Vasuki Tal Lake.