Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Saturday visited Kedarnath took stock of the ongoing work in the Kedarnath Development Project which is aimed to enhance the infrastructure of the region.
It is learnt that Kedarnath Development Project, which is very close to the Prime Minister's heart, envisions to bring state-of-the-art facilities in Kedarnath, in a bid to attract more tourists and pilgrims.
After offering prayer at Kedarnath Temple, Prime Minister reviewed development work being carried out at Shankaracharya Samadhi Sthal.
The Prime Minister was also briefed on the Kedarpuri Protection Wall and Teerth Purohit Housing facilities projects.
There were also discussions on ways to further ease travel between Gaurikund and Kedarnath.
The Prime Minister praised the entire staff working on the Kedarnath Development Project for their hardwork and perseverance.
Modi also stressed on the idea to ensure that Kedarnath becomes digital.
Status of the repair and renovation work on the route to the Bhairo Mandir was discussed during the PM's meeting as well.
Modi, who is in Kedarnath will visit a holy cave to meditate.
PM Modi, who earlier in the day arrived at the hill shrine in a chopper and walked from the helipad to the Himalayan shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
On the way, he also greeted people who were standing at a distance to get a glimpse of the prime minister.
In the temple, Modi sat on the floor in front of the deity and performed rituals.
Thereafter, he also took rounds of the sanctum-sanctorum as per Hindu practice of worship. He also stepped out of the temple premises and greeted the crowd. People gathered around the temple also greeted the Prime Minister with loud chants of 'Har Har Mahadev'.
This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fourth visit in three years.
Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to visit Badrinath temple during the ongoing Uttarakhand visit.
Keeping in view PM's arrival, security is heightened near the shrine which is located at 11,755 ft above the sea level.
In November last year, Prime Minister Modi had visited the Kedarnath shrine during Diwali.
In 2017, he paid visits to the temple twice, once in May after its gate had opened following a six-month winter break and again in October, before the temple again closed for winters.