Char Dham Yatra 2024 Begins: Doors Open from Akshaya Tritiya

Speaking to ANI on Friday, Dwivedi said, "As you all are aware, from the 19th, the Char Dham Yatra will formally begin. The doors of Maa Ganga and Yamunotri will open on April 19, the day of Akshaya Tritiya."

He further said that the portals of the Kedarnath Temple will open on April 22.

"On April 22 at 8:00 AM, the doors of Baba Kedar will open, and on April 23, 2026, the doors of Lord Badrinath will open for devotees from across the country," he added.

Dwivedi stated that preparations have been completed at all administrative levels. "At the government level, administration level, district level, and all departments associated with the pilgrimage, all preparations have been completed. Final touches are being given," he said.

He further added that advance teams have been deployed at key locations to ensure smooth operations ahead of the shrine openings. "For the opening of Baba Kedar's doors on the 22nd and Lord Badrinath's doors on the 23rd, advanced teams have been sent. All maintenance work, facilities for pilgrims, and puja arrangements have been streamlined," he said.

Appealing to devotees, Dwivedi added, "Through your channel, I would like to say to pilgrims coming from across the country--come and seek the blessings of Baba Kedar and Lord Badrinath. The government, administration, and temple committee have made complete arrangements."

On crowd management, he said that digital systems have been introduced to regulate pilgrim flow. "The government has introduced online registration. Through registration and a token system, we will ensure smooth management. We have a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, and our priority is the last devotee--providing simple, safe, and accessible darshan," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also assured confidence in the smooth conduction of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, scheduled to commence on April 23.

Speaking with the media, after conducting an on-ground inspection of the Kedarnath Highway and other key locations here, to review arrangements for the upcoming pilgrimage, Dhami said that the Yatra is about to commence, and all necessary preparations and facilities related to the pilgrimage are being closely monitored.

"The Char Dham Yatra is about to commence... I am personally conducting an on-site inspection to ensure that all preparations are complete.... We are ready in every respect to welcome pilgrims and devotees arriving here from across the entire country and the world. All necessary arrangements have been put in place. The arrangements will be excellent, and the Char Dham Yatra will be a success," he said.

- ANI