Uttarakhand: Heavy Snowfall in Chamoli, Shri Badrinath Dham Wrapped in thick blanket of snow
Badrinath, March 16
As North India is gearing up for the start of the summer season, high-altitude areas in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district have been witnessing heavy snowfall since Sunday night.
Due to intense snowfall, the temple premises in Shri Badrinath Dham, including Neelkanth Parvat and Narayan Parvat has been covered in a white blanket.
Additionally, a sharp drop in temperatures has been recorded in the region. As a result, severe cold conditions have made a comeback in Badrinath and the surrounding lower-altitude areas.
Earlier on January 28, the holy town of Kedarnath, nestled in the high Himalayas, experienced extreme winter conditions, with 3-4 feet of snow blanketing the shrine and temperatures plummeting to -16°C.
According to the Rudraprayag district administration, amid continuous snowfall in the state's high Himalayan regions, the holy town of Kedarnath, the abode of Baba Kedar, was completely blanketed in snow. Around 3 to 4 feet of snow was accumulated at the shrine, and temperatures dropped to below- 16 degrees Celsius.
But despite the harsh weather, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Rudraprayag Police, braving the cold, conducted continuous patrolling around the temple premises and sensitive areas.
Even in extreme cold and icy winds, the forces carried out continuous patrolling in and around the temple premises and other sensitive areas.
The Rudraprayag district administration and the police department jointly stated that, despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces remains high. The security arrangements at Kedarnath Dham were fully robust and in place.
Meanwhile, the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham will officially reopen for devotees on April 22, 2026, at 8:00 AM. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, the opening date for the Kedarnath temple gates was officially announced based on Panchang calculations, at the Shri Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath.
The announcement was made in the presence of several key dignitaries, including Kedarnath Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, Kedarnath MLA Asha Nautiyal, and Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the pictures must be breathtaking, I hope the local communities and their livestock are safe and have enough supplies. These sudden cold waves can be very harsh in the mountains. The administration should ensure help reaches them.
Salute to our ITBP and Rudraprayag Police! 🇮🇳 Patrolling at -16°C is no joke. Their dedication in protecting our sacred sites and borders, even in such punishing weather, is truly commendable. We are safe because of them.
The article mentions the reopening date for Kedarnath is in 2026? That seems quite far off. Is that a typo, or is there a specific reason for such a long closure? Clarity from the temple committee would be helpful for devotees planning their yatra.
This heavy snowfall so late in March is unusual, no? Feels like the weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable. Devotees planning the Char Dham Yatra this summer should keep a close eye on weather updates and road conditions.
Om Namah Shivaya! The announcement of the opening date on Mahashivratri gives me goosebumps. Even wrapped in snow, Kedarnath looks majestic. Can't wait for the doors to open and the chants of "Har Har Mahadev" to echo in the valley again.
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