The sacred portals of Kedarnath Dham have been opened today, marking the beginning of the revered Char Dham Yatra. At 7 a.m. this morning, amidst elaborate rituals and chants, the gates of Kedarnath were ceremoniously unlocked. The entire valley resounded with the jubilant chants of “Bam Bam,” echoing the fervor of the devotees.
With the opening of the gates of Kedarnath Dham, the Char Dham Yatra has officially commenced. The morning saw helicopters showering the temple with flowers, while the entire region reverberated with the chants of devotion. This sight, witnessing the simultaneous opening of the portals of Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath temples at 7 a.m., is a spectacle to behold after several years.
Limited Number of Pilgrims for the First Time
To ensure smooth arrangements and avoid any mishaps, the number of pilgrims has been restricted this time. The Uttarakhand Police and the Tourism Department have capped the daily number of pilgrims for the Char Dham Yatra for the first time. Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve informed that only 51,000 pilgrims will visit all four dhams daily. Out of this, 15,000 devotees will visit Kedarnath Dham, 16,000 will visit Badrinath Dham, 9,000 will visit Yamunotri, and 11,000 will visit Gangotri.
Health Advisory Issued
The Health Department of Uttarakhand has issued an advisory, urging pilgrims to plan their journey carefully. Considering that all four dhams are located above 3,000 meters and experiencing intermittent snowfall, pilgrims are advised to plan for a seven-day trip. To ensure the well-being of pilgrims, more than 400 doctors have been deployed along the Char Dham Yatra route, including 256 emergency medical officers and specialist doctors.
Upcoming Schedule for Dham Opening
Following the opening of the gates of Kedarnath Dham, the portals of Badrinath Dham will be opened on May 12 at 6 a.m. Similarly, the revered portals of Bhavishya Badri and Panch Badri will also be opened on May 12. Furthermore, the gates of Hemkund Sahib, the holy shrine of the Sikhs, will be opened on May 25. Additionally, the gates of the second Kedarnath, Shri Madmaheshwarji, will be opened on May 20.
As the sacred journey to the Char Dhams begins, devotees embark on a spiritual odyssey, seeking blessings and divine grace amidst the awe-inspiring Himalayas.