Gopeshwar (Uttaranchal): Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas, would be reopened on May 5 and 8 respectively for pilgrims after their annual winter closure, district magistrate (DM) of Chamoli said.

Kedarnath shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated at a height of 3,584 metres in Rudraprayag district, while Badrinath shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated at a height of 3,110 metres in Chamoli district in the Indo-Tibet Himalayan border region.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims throng these shrines in the hope of attaining "moksha" (salvation).

According to Chamoli DM Madan Singh, all necessary security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful pilgrimage.

The district authorities have been asked to make arrangements for providing necessary facilities like sanitation to the pilgrims, he said.

PTI