Gopeshwar, May 10 (PTI) A new gold umbrella was installed over the idol of lord Vishnu at the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath, replacing the old one believed to have been offered by Maharani Ahilya Bai Solkar of the royal family of Gwalior 600 years ago.

The gold umbrella, weighing four kg, has been offered by a Ludhiana-based Sood family.

It was brought to the temple in a decorated palanquin at the head of a procession and installed in the sanctum sanctorum amid special prayers, a temple committee official said.

The members of the Sood family and officials of the Mandir samiti, besides Vedpathis, were present at the installation ceremony, he said.  

The new umbrella offered by the Sood family replaces the old one which is believed to have been offered by Maharani Ahilya Bai Solkar of the royal family of Gwalior 600 years ago.

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