"Char Dham Yatra progressing smoothly": Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop
Rishikesh, June 26
Amidst the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Anand Swaroop on Friday said that the Yatra is progressing smoothly, with more than 40 lakh devotees having visited the four shrines for darshan till now.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday on Yatra, the Garhwal Commissioner said, "The yatra is progressing smoothly... Last year, till June, 37 lakh people had participated in the yatra, and this year we have crossed 40 lakh... At present, the rain is not going to have much impact on it..."
He added that the monsoon is expected to arrive after June 30 and measures would be taken to combat it smoothly.
"The monsoon is expected to arrive after June 30th...We have discussed with the officials about what kind of preparation we would take agaisnt monsoon. The Disaster Management Department is keeping an eye on the monsoon and will take all the measures," the Garhwal Commissioner added.
He also informed that the officials have added new things like taking feedback from the devotees and asking about their experiences.
The Char Dham Yatra, one of the most significant religious pilgrimages in India, formally began on April 22 with rituals across multiple shrines. The annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath Temple commenced with the ceremonial departure of the Panchmukhi palanquin of Lord Kedarnath from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple.
Meanwhile on June 23, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to ensure that all pilgrims visiting the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra are provided with the best possible facilities and care.
The Chief Minister said that devotees and tourists visiting the state are warmly welcomed to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. He described Uttarakhand as a priceless heritage of faith, culture, and natural beauty.
He appealed to all pilgrims and visitors to fully enjoy their journey in the peaceful atmosphere of the state and not pay attention to any kind of rumours.
The Chief Minister noted that along with the Char Dham Yatra, the Hemkund Sahib Yatra is also progressing smoothly. More than four million devotees have visited the Char Dham shrines so far this year.
He further said that during the initial phase of the Hemkund Sahib Yatra, the number of pilgrims recorded was 25,000 higher than during the same period last year.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's heartening to see the administration taking feedback from devotees seriously. That's a positive step towards improving the experience. I just hope the infrastructure keeps pace with the rising numbers - better roads, more rest stops, and proper waste management are essential. Swachhata hi seva hai!
As someone who did the Char Dham last year, I can say it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The spiritual energy is incredible. But I do hope they address the issue of touts and overpriced services near the temples. Devotees shouldn't be exploited in the name of faith.
The Commissioner's assurance is reassuring. Having grown up in Uttarakhand, I've seen how sudden cloudbursts can disrupt the yatra. I appreciate the proactive approach mentioned. But one suggestion - better communication about weather conditions and road status to pilgrims via mobile alerts would be very helpful.
It's wonderful to see the yatra being managed with such diligence. The comparison with last year shows positive growth. But I'm slightly concerned about the environmental impact - 40 lakh plus pilgrims produce a lot of waste. Hope the 'green pilgrimage' initiatives are being implemented seriously. Our hills need protection too.
As someone who lives in Dehradun, I've seen the chaos during peak yatra season. I'm genuinely impressed by the planning this year - the online booking system, better parking, and regular updates have made a difference. Kudos to the team! But let's not become complacent - every year brings new challenges. 🚩
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.