TV show on Kedarnath starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema to be shown on Oct 1

DEHRADUN: Chief minister Harish Rawat along with singer Kailash Kher has launched the promotional song of a 12-part star-studded TV serial made around the 2013 floods, the damage caused and the recovery of the Kedarnath shrine. Titled "Baba Kedar", the series talks about the tragedy that occurred and how with all-round effort pilgrims have begun flocking to the temple again, the lives that have picked up and the rural economy that now stands on its feet. The serial, which has been jointly produced by the Uttarakhand government and Kher, will be screened during a religious ceremony in Kedarnath on October 1. The promotional track was launched by Rawat at his residence on Monday. As many as 15 Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher and Hema Malini and singers such as Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Kailash Kher will feature in the series.


Rawat said that the show will have 40-minute episodes and talk about the religious significance of the shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The show will also detail the reconstruction work carried out in Kedarnath after flash floods hit the area on June 16, 2013.

"The idea behind the serial is to tell the world what actually happened in Kedarnath during the flash floods and what measures were taken after so that we can get rid of the apprehensions and doubts that may still linger in the minds of some devotees. The series will show how life in one of the holiest shrines in India has not just returned to normal but is thriving," Rawat said.

Kher said that the 2013 tragedy at Kedarnath had created fear among the minds of devotees but now their faith has been restored. "The serial is a blend of fiction, reality and mythology and shows how faith of people has been restored after the 2013 disaster," Kher said.

Sources in the state government said that the serial was produced at an estimated budget of Rs 20 crore. They added that various channels like Zee TV, Star Plus and some entertainment channels have been contacted to sell the show. The show may also be released on the web so it can garner more views.

TOI

Kedarnath temple reopens for pilgrims

The doors of famous Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath on Sunday reopened for pilgrims after a gap of six months with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank among those having early darshan of Lord Shiva.

Amid blowing of conches and chanting of vedic hymns and shlokas, Chief priest of Kedarnath shrine Bhimshankar Ling opened the locks of the temple at 0530 hrs in the morning in the presence of senior administrative and police officials, official sources said.

During the opening ceremony, hundreds of devotees were present outside the sanctum sanctorum chanting "Bam Bam Bhole" braving chilly winds blowing in the area.

While Nishank performed puja along with his family members, Uttarakhand Disaster Management Minister Khajan das and Principal Secretary Tourism Rakesh Sharma were also among the first ones, who paid the obeisance at the temple.


Meanwhile, the doors of the Badrinath shrine would also be thrown open for pilgrims on Monday.

The Chardham Yatra comprising pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri nestling in Garhwal Himalayas was kicked off with the opening of portals of both Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on May 6.

Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are situated at a height of 3200 meter and 3615 meter respectively in Uttarkashi district. Badrinath is located in Chamoli district a height of 3133 meter and Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district at a height of 3584 meter.

The Chardhams reopen in April-May every year after a gap of six months as the area remain snow-bound during the winter period.

The annual yatra is considered as a backbone of the thriving religious tourism in the state that attracts nearly 15-16 lakh pilgrims every year from home and abroad.

The government has taken various steps for smooth conduct of yatra and directed all the departments to work in tandem during the period.

indian express

Kedarnath temple reopens for pilgrims

The doors of famous Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath on Sunday reopened for pilgrims after a gap of six months with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank among those having early darshan of Lord Shiva.

Amid blowing of conches and chanting of vedic hymns and shlokas, Chief priest of Kedarnath shrine Bhimshankar Ling opened the locks of the temple at 0530 hrs in the morning in the presence of senior administrative and police officials, official sources said.

During the opening ceremony, hundreds of devotees were present outside the sanctum sanctorum chanting "Bam Bam Bhole" braving chilly winds blowing in the area.

While Nishank performed puja along with his family members, Uttarakhand Disaster Management Minister Khajan das and Principal Secretary Tourism Rakesh Sharma were also among the first ones, who paid the obeisance at the temple.

Meanwhile, the doors of the Badrinath shrine would also be thrown open for pilgrims on Monday.

The Chardham Yatra comprising pilgrimage to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri nestling in Garhwal Himalayas was kicked off with the opening of portals of both Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on May 6.

Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are situated at a height of 3200 meter and 3615 meter respectively in Uttarkashi district. Badrinath is located in Chamoli district a height of 3133 meter and Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district at a height of 3584 meter.

The Chardhams reopen in April-May every year after a gap of six months as the area remain snow-bound during the winter period.

The annual yatra is considered as a backbone of the thriving religious tourism in the state that attracts nearly 15-16 lakh pilgrims every year from home and abroad.