Dehradun: Traditional 'puja' will begin at the flood-ravaged Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand from 11 September, officials said on Friday.

The date was decided at a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and office bearers of the Kedarnath Mandir Samiti, which oversees the revered shrine.

A senior official said 11 September was auspicious as "Naag Panchami" would be observed that day. The stars would in the right conjunction to restart the prayers that were halted after flash floods ravaged the area 16 June.

The floods occurred at a time when the Char Dham pilgrimage — when tens of thousands of believers make it to Kedarnath and three other ancient temples in the hills — was at its peak.

Several feet of slush and rubble collected inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, killing hundreds in the region. Many more died elsewhere in the hills of Uttarakhand because of flash foods and cloudburst.

More than 5,000 remain missing.

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