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Kedarnath: On Friday morning, The Chardham Yatra has started in Uttarakhand with the opening of the doors of Kedarnath Dham after being closed for the winter season. The Chardham Yatra has started on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Thousands of devotees have reached Kedar Nagari. During this, Kedar Nagari echoed with the chants of Jai Kedar. The Char Dham Yatra holds profound significance for Hindus, drawing devout pilgrims and enthusiasts alike in anticipation of the spiritual journey.
Kedarnath Dham chief Rawal Bhimashankar Ling opened the doors of the temple with full rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened for the devotees at 7.10 am. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was also present on this occasion. After this, the doors of Yamunotri Dham will be opened at 10.29 am and Gangotri Dham at 12.25 pm. Badrinath, which is also a part of Uttarakhand’s ‘chardham yatra’ will be opened at 6 am on May 12.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Kedarnath Dham for darshan and inspection. Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) media in-charge Harish Gaur said Kedarnath is being decorated with 20 quintals of flowers. He said the Panchmukhi idol of Baba Kedar, which has been taken to Kedarnath from his winter residence Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, has left Gaurikund – the last stop on the way back to Kedarnath, where it will be reinstalled inside the temple amid elaborate rituals.
Uttarakhand CM welcomes devotees
On the occasion of the start of the Chardham Yatra, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also welcomed and greeted the devotees for the Chardham Yatra 2024. On social media platform X, he said,”Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham, Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will be opened for darshan with full rituals. Hearty welcome and greetings to all the devotees for the Chardham Yatra.”
Gaur said that the idol will be worshipped before the doors are opened for devotees. Every year, the barefoot BKTC volunteers carry the idol on their shoulders from Ukhimath to Kedarnath. Gaur said that devotees from the country and abroad also participate in this procession. Meanwhile, on Thursday, 135 vehicles carrying 4,050 Char Dham pilgrims were flagged off from Rishikesh for the Himalayan temples.
Speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Premchand Aggarwal said that this year a record number of pilgrims will visit the Char Dham. As preparations for the yatra reach their peak, devotees from all corners of the country, even from abroad, flock to the foothills of the Himalayas. Set amidst the backdrop of majestic mountains and serene landscapes, this yatra promises not just a physical journey but also a profound inner transformation.
