Chamoli, May 3 -- The portals of Badrinath Dham are set to open for devotees on Sunday, 4 May, at 6 a.m. Ahead of the grand occasion, today at 10:30 a.m., Gadu Ghada (the silver pitcher containing sesame oil), Rawal Amarnath Namboodri, Adi Guru Shankaracharya Gaddi, and Garuda departed the Narsingh Temple, the winter abode of Lord Badrinath, after performing due rituals. By late evening today, the procession is scheduled to reach Pandukeshwar, the first night halt along the way to Badrinath. The procession was accompanied by an Army Band that played devotional music in praise of Badri Vishal.

In a historic first, with the cooperation of temple right holders, the vehicle of Lord Badrivishal, Garuda Maharaj, was sent towards Badrinath Dham...