SATV 2 May, Kathmandu: The gates of Kedarnath Dham open today (Friday). Officials announced on Thursday that they have implemented all necessary safety measures for the devotees' pilgrimage.

Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde emphasized that they have prioritized the safety of pilgrims.

"This pilgrimage draws a massive crowd, so our top priority is the safety of devotees. We have deployed adequate security personnel for both safety and management," he said.

Vilay Thapliyal, Chief Executive Officer of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, said, "Today marks an auspicious day as the gates of Baba Kedarnath Dham open. This year, we have made grand preparations."

The temple of Lord Kedarnath now features a floral decoration of 13 quintals (1,300 kg) to celebrate the occasion. After temple authorities brought the idol of Baba Kedarnath to the shrine on May 1, they plan to open the temple gates to devotees at 7 a.m. on May 2.

Meanwhile, authorities have launched helicopter services for the 2025 Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra from Sonprayag in Uttarakhand.

Helicopter operator Pawan Rana stated, "Pilgrims can book tickets online through IRCTC or obtain them offline via the district magistrate or sector magistrate. We operate 20 to 30 flights daily, serving over 150 pilgrims."

He clarified that flight operations depend on weather conditions. "If the weather remains clear, we can operate up to 30 flights daily. In case of bad weather, we will cancel tickets and issue refunds. We prioritize passenger safety, have arranged proper security, and provide pre-flight briefings to all travellers."

Rana also noted that pilgrims book around 150 helicopter tickets online each day and that authorities have opened bookings for a month.

On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, priests opened the gates of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams on Wednesday with Vedic chants and rituals. This officially marked the beginning of the 2025 Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.