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Braving snowfall and chilly winds, devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu chanted Jai Kedar and Jai Badri Vishal as the priests opened the doors to the pilgrims.
This is for the first time in the history of the pilgrimage that the doors of the two shrines have been opened on the same day.
The Kedarnath shrine, situated at a height of 3,584 metres, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, while the one at Badrinath, at 3,133 metres, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Hundreds of devotees, including sadhus, administrative officials and some ministers of Uttaranchal, performed puja at the shrines.
In Badrinath, those present included Education Minister N S Bhandari, Tourism Minister T P S Rawat and the district magistrate.
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