Char Dham kicks off amid chanting of hymns, fanfare
The portals of the renowned Hindu pilgrimage centre and 11th “jyotirlinga” Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas were opened amid traditional religious ceremonies on Friday, coinciding with “Akshay Tritiya”.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who attended the Kedarnath ceremony along with his wife Geeta, claimed that the Char Dham Yatra will set a new record of footfall this season.
“It is an auspicious day for which we wait throughout the year. I welcome you all on the occasion. May you all be showered with the blessings of Baba Kedar,” Mr Dhami said addressing a gathering outside the temple after offering prayers.
The Kedarnath shrine portals were opened at 7 am amid chanting of hymns and rituals being performed by priests in the glory of Lord Shiv. The occasion was also marked by the customary devotional tunes played by the Army’s Grenadier Regiment band in the presence of nearly 10,000 pilgrims. The temple was decorated with over 20 quintals of flowers were also showered on pilgrims by a helicopter.
The portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri were opened after the Kedarnath ceremony at 10.29 am and 12.25 pm respectively.
The portals of the Badrinath shrine will be opened on Sunday.
“The yatra will create a new record in this pilgrimage season and the state government is committed to provide all facilities to the pilgrims coming to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Adequate medical facilities and other services are also being put in place,” Mr Dhami said. It's significant that more than 55 lakh pilgrims visited Uttarakhand during the 2023 season.
As per the traditional process of opening the Kedarnath portals, “panchmukhi” (pentafaceted) idol of Lord Kedarnath arrived in Kedarpuri from its “panchkedar” on Thursday, passing through its main halting points Guptkashi, Fata and Gaurikund. The pilgrims had started arriving at the temple premises to participate in the portal opening ceremony as early as 4 am.