DEHRA DUN, INDIA, February 2, 2006: The portals of the famous Himalayan shrine of Badrinath would be reopened for pilgrims on May 4, a top official of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee said today. The date was decided by astrologers at the Narendranagar palace after performing special puja on the occasion of Basant Panchami, President of the temple committee Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri said. The portals of Badrinath, dedicated to God Vishnu, would be reopened in Brahmmuhurt at 0400 hrs on May 4, he said. Badrinath in Chamoli district, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district and Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarkashi district, known as the Char Dham, are closed for six months during winters and reopen in summers. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit these shrines every year.
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