DEHRADUN, INDIA, May 4, 2006: The opening of the portals of the famous Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath amid the chanting of Vedic mantras this morning was witnessed by thousands of devotees. Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri, chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti, said on phone that Badrinath, the temple of Lord Vishnu was opened for darshan at 4 am. About 20,000 pilgrims had a darshan of Badrinath and the Akhand Jyoti, Maikhuri said. The portals of Kedarnath were also opened this morning. The portals of both shrines were closed for winter in November 2005. With the opening of the portals of Badrinath and Kedarnath and those of Gangotri and Yamunotri on April 30, the Chardham Yatra has begun.
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