The holy Char Dham Yatra formally commenced as the revered Kedarnath Temple opened its doors for public darshan on Friday, initiating the six-month spiritual pilgrimage season to the Himalayan shrines.
The ceremony witnessed thousands of ardent devotees thronging in the cold morning air to witness the ceremonial opening, which was replete with Vedic rituals and chants.
The atmosphere in Kedarnath Dham was laden with faithfulness, particularly with the temple awesomely bedecked using 108 quintals of bright flowers—a beautiful flower offering made by the Pushp Samiti from Gujarat and Rishikesh that filled the age-old temple with a spectacle of heavenly grandeur.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, actively involved in overseeing the Yatra's preparations, expressed confidence in the arrangements made for smooth travel and safety. “We’ve ensured proper logistics and communication systems to aid pilgrims,” he said. He also commended the efforts of individuals like Himanshu Chamoli and his team for maintaining efficient transportation during the Yatra.
CM Dhami, who attended the inauguration of the Gangotri shrine on Akshaya Tritiya (April 30), underscored the spiritual importance of this annual pilgrimage. He also added that the Badrinath Dham will also open in two days, fulfilling the availability of all four shrines of the Char Dham circuit—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
He recognized the contribution of local traders and support staff, observing their economic and cultural significance to the Yatra and the state.
With fervor high and preparations carefully taken care of, the 2025 Char Dham Yatra is going to be an extremely rewarding experience for pilgrims from all over India and the globe.
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