Speculations about Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Kedarnath shrine, in district Ruderprayg next month, is making rounds in the hill state. Though none of the state government officials are openly confirming the trip, preparation work has started in the pilgrimage town, thus clearly indicating that something is in the pipeline.

According to reports, PM Narendra Modi is likely to visit Kedarnath on November 8, one day before the closing of the shrine. The portals of Kedarnath temple will be closed on November 9 for the winter season, on eve of ‘Bhaiya Dooj.’ This year, Kedarnath registered a record footfall. Over seven lakh pilgrims visited the famous Hindu shrine this year.

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Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the shrine, situated at 11,755 feet above the sea level, twice–on the opening and one-day before closing. This year too he is expected to tour Kedarnath in November. PM Modi is to inaugurate the Saraswati Ghat, houses of Teerth Purohits (priests), and also the trek route connecting Kedarnath to Garud Chatti.

In early days, PM Narendra Modi used to stay at Garud Chatti, en-route to Kedarnath, whenever he used to visit the holy township in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. Last year, after PM Modi shared his Garud Chatti memories during Kedarnath trip, the little-known place created a lot of curiosity. As the trek route to Garud Chatti was lost in the 2013 disaster, the process of restoring the old pilgrimage path started last year. The work of restoring the 4 km long connecting trek route to Garud Chatti is near completion.

The speed of many under construction works has suddenly increased in Kedarnath. Even during the recently concluded Investor’s Meet, a section of the media was claiming about PM Modi visiting Kedarnath after inaugurating the summit. But, this time some top state government officials are confirming unofficially about the trip of Prime Minister to Kedarnath. The scene is likely to be clear by next week.