Portals of Kedarnath open after winter, PM Modi becomes the first devotee to offer prayers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers at the sacred Himalayan shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived at the Kedarnath temple in a bullet proof jeep surrounded by his Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel, was welcomed by scores of people chanting his name and praising him. He was accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and Governor Krishna Kant Paul.

After having a brief chat with the dignitaries, the Prime Minister headed towards the sacred Kedarnath Temple to pay obeisance. He was seen praying in front of the majestic idol of Lord Shiva for quite some time and did a pradakshina after paying homage to the deity.

Stepping out of the temple draped in red and gold silk, he was accompanied by the priest of the temple, who later presented him a miniature replica of the temple made of wood.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand, gifted a miniature replica of the temple. pic.twitter.com/BJo32gbBA5

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 3, 2017

Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the Patanjali Research Institute at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar.