KEDARNATH: After a sudden shift in the weather pattern in the high-altitude areas of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Dham has been experiencing continuous and heavy snowfall.
Since the evening of Wednesday, one of the country's oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites has been experiencing heavy snowfall.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Kedarnath is expected to hover in the range of -16 to -18 until January 23.
While the IMD predicted light rainfall in the area as well, no warning or advisory has been issued as yet.
Meanwhile, following a prolonged wait, the Chamoli district experienced the first burst of snowfall this winter on Wednesday.
Significant snowfall was reported at key locations such as Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, Valley of Flowers, Rudranath, Niti Valley, and Mana Valley.
Even Hanumanchatti went under a snow blanket.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has invited seers at the Badrinath Dham to the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22.
On Wednesday, VHP workers handed the formal invitation to the ceremony to the seers as they sat in meditation at the Badrinath Dham in the cold.
The seven-day Vedic rituals for the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya began on January 16.
Earlier, this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special 11-day 'anushthan' (ritual) ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the Ram Temple.
PM Modi will preside over the ceremonial installation of Shri Ram Lalla inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
The general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai, said that Ram temple will be open for 'darshan' for the general public from January 23.
"The 'Pran Prathishtha' is expected to conclude by 1 pm. PM Modi and others present on the occasion will express their thoughts after the ceremony. As per tradition, gifts in 1,000 baskets have come from Nepal's Janakpur and areas of Mithila. On January 20 and 21, darshan will remain closed to the public," he said.