The Char Dham Yatra, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages in India, is set to begin on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya today. The yatra includes four holy sites – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri – situated in the Himalayas. The doors of Shri Kedarnath and Shri Badrinath Dham will open on April 25 and Gangotri Dham on April 22.
The government has issued a health advisory for pilgrims on Wednesday and has also withdrawn the daily cap on the number of devotees for the Chardham Yatra on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The online and offline registration process will remain the same in order to keep track of devotees.
The preparation for the yatra is completed and the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines will open on April 22. The temple of Ganga and Yamuna is adorned with colourful lacquer. On Saturday, the doors of the temple will be opened at 12.35 pm (Gangotri) and 12.41 pm (Yamunotri) after special prayers. A doli of Yamuna led by Lord Shani will leave from Kharsali and will reach Yamunotri Dham by 11 am. The government has also issued guidelines for the pilgrims regarding the Char Dham Yatra.