Guptkashi, September 11, 2013: Heavy rain hampered the preparations for starting prayers at Kedarnath in the Kedarnath Valley on Tuesday.

Though the Rawal (priest) Bhimashankar Ling, the sole authority to start the prayers at the shrine, was sent to Kedarnath from Guptkashi on Tuesday evening after much delay due to bad weather, many preparations still need to be done.

The State authorities and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee are organising the prayers that are to begin on Wednesday morning.

Information and Public Relations Director General R. Meenakshi Sundaram said, “The members of the Temple Committee, the priests and the Rawal are already at Kedarnath. The police administration and some Ministers are also present. The prayers will start on Wednesday.”

However, the Chief Minister’s visit depends on the weather, Mr. Sundaram said.

Dehradun Meteorological Centre Director Anand Sharma said, “One or two spells of light to moderate rains and thunder showers (0.5 to 35 mm) are expected in the Kedarnath Valley on Wednesday. The weather is expected to improve after Friday.”

Roads to Kedarnath have been blocked at several places till the prayers begin. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said this is to prevent the people from travelling to the Kedarnath temple by road as many roads are still damaged and are under construction.

Though the prayers in the temple shall start, the damage caused by the mid-June deluge continues to reflect as many more bodies are still buried deep in the debris and broken houses in the valley.

Inspector General of Police R. S. Meena said though the third round of operations to locate and cremate bodies in the valley is over, the State government will decide on future operations after the prayers.

Nishank plans to defy prohibitory orders

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said here on Tuesday he would trek from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, defying prohibitory orders, along with purohits and followers to participate in the puja.

Announcing this here, before leaving for Rudraprayag, Mr. Nishank said no one could stop the devotees from offering prayers. He also accused the Chief Minister of trying to turn it into a Congress puja but “we will ensure public participation”.

Mr. Nishank criticised police for stopping thousands of devotees and purohits at Phata from trekking to Kedarnath.

“Check posts have been set up on all routes leading to Kedarnath and no one will be allowed to reach the shrine on foot. Only those who have been issued passes will be airlifted from Guptkashi to Kedarnath to participate in the puja,” District Magistrate Dilip Jawalkar said.

Source: The Hindu, September 11, 2013