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Char Dham Yatra Begins with Grand Ceremony; CM Dhami Flags Off Pilgrimage

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally flagged off the annual Char Dham Yatra from Rishikesh, interacting with devotees and wishing them a safe journey. The government has established extensive facilities, including registration counters and healthcare, with over 2,700 pilgrims registering on the first day of offline sign-ups. The pilgrimage officially commences on Akshaya Tritiya, with the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples opening first, followed by Kedarnath and Badrinath. The commencement was marked by a vibrant procession of Goddess Ganga's palanquin from Mukhba village, accompanied by traditional music and deep devotion.

Key Points: Char Dham Yatra 2024 Begins: CM Dhami Flags Off Pilgrimage

  • CM Dhami flags off yatra from Rishikesh
  • Over 2,700 registered on first day of offline sign-up
  • Temples to open from Akshaya Tritiya
  • Elaborate safety and crowd management in place
  • Palanquin procession marks start with traditional fervor
2 min read

U'khand CM Dhami flags off Char Dham Yatra; extensive arrangements in place for devotees

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami flags off Char Dham Yatra. Extensive arrangements for safety, registration, and temple openings detailed.

"wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey - Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami"

New Delhi, April 18

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday flagged off the annual Char Dham Yatra from the Char Dham Yatra Transit Camp in Rishikesh, marking the formal commencement of one of the most sacred pilgrimages in Sanatan Dharma. The Chief Minister interacted with devotees, extended his greetings, and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.

The Uttarakhand government has put in place comprehensive arrangements to ensure the convenience and safety of pilgrims.

More than 30 counters have been set up at the transit camp for offline registration, along with facilities for healthcare, medicines, drinking water, and sanitation.

Chief Minister Dhami also inspected the camp and expressed satisfaction over the preparedness.

Offline registration for the yatra began on April 10 and witnessed an overwhelming response, with 2,713 devotees registering on the first day itself.

According to official data, 683 pilgrims registered for Yamunotri, 690 for Gangotri, 667 for Kedarnath, and 673 for Badrinath.

Online registration had already commenced on March 6.

The Char Dham Yatra will officially begin on April 19, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, when the portals ('kapat') of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples will open.

The Kedarnath Dham will open on April 22, followed by Badrinath Dham on April 23.

Preparations for the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines are in full swing, with temples being beautifully decorated with flowers and elaborate security arrangements put in place.

The ceremonial palanquin ('Doli') of Goddess Ganga has already departed from her winter abode in Mukhba village after special prayers and rituals, amid great enthusiasm and devotion among locals and pilgrims.

The village witnessed vibrant celebrations, with chants of "Jai Maa Gange", accompanied by traditional instruments such as dhol-damau and ransingha. A large number of devotees, priests, sadhus, and officials participated in the procession, reflecting a deep sense of faith and unity.

Authorities have also made extensive arrangements for traffic management, parking, disaster response, and crowd control to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.

Given the cold weather conditions in the mountainous regions, additional facilities have been arranged across all four shrines -- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

The Char Dham Yatra traditionally begins from Haridwar or Rishikesh and proceeds through Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath, drawing thousands of devotees from across India and abroad every year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My parents are planning to go this year. The offline registration numbers from the first day show how much faith people have. The healthcare and sanitation facilities mentioned are crucial, especially for elderly pilgrims. Hoping the traffic management is as effective as promised.
A
Aman W
While the arrangements sound good on paper, the real test is on the ground. Past years have seen terrible traffic jams and overcrowding. I hope the disaster response teams are truly prepared. The devotion is immense, but safety must be the top priority. A respectful suggestion: maybe stagger the registrations more?
S
Sarah B
The description of the procession from Mukhba village with the traditional instruments is so vivid. It's amazing to see such ancient traditions alive and thriving. India's cultural and spiritual heritage is truly unique. Wishing all the pilgrims well on their journey.
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Vikram M
Starting on Akshaya Tritiya is so auspicious! 🎉 The economic boost for Uttarakhand is also significant. From tea stalls to hotels, many livelihoods depend on a smooth yatra. Hope the authorities keep the routes clean and manage the plastic waste this time. Our mountains are sacred too.
K
Kavya N
Har har Mahadev! Just returned from a visit last month and saw the preparations beginning. The spirit in the hills is different during yatra season. The mention of extra facilities for cold weather is very important—those altitudes are no joke. Safe travels to all.

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