Raval Jagadguru Bhimashankarlinga Shivacharya, 55, the 324th descended pontiff of the 5,000 year-old twin shrines, has set up the Kedarnath Vikas Committee to raise Rs.10 crore (Rs.100 million) for rebuilding infrastructure facilities - including roads - between Ukhimath and Kedarnath, transit homes for pilgrims, relief centres and hospitals.

"We have collected Rs.51 lakh within 24 hours of setting up the development committee. Hundreds of donors have generously contributed to the fund to take up the rebuilding work on priority basis before winter sets in there," committee secretary T.G. Mruthyanjaya told IANS here.