Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Apr 15: The Uttarakhand tourism department announced the initiation of online registration for the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ on Monday through its official portal. Pilgrims can register themselves from April 15 onwards to visit the revered shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Scheduled to commence on May 10 this year, the Char Dham Yatra will open with three of the four shrines, namely Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath. The doors of the Badrinath shrine will be opened on May 12.
The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism and typically spans from April/May to October/November.
Last week, Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana inspected the preparations for the Chardham Yatra at the Badrinath Dham. He emphasized the completion of various works related to infrastructure improvements before the Yatra commences, including sewer line repairs, internal route enhancements, water and electricity provisions, street lighting, vehicle parking arrangements, and installation of signage for passenger convenience.
The high-altitude shrines remain closed for about six months each year, opening during the summer (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November).
Traditionally, the Char Dham Yatra is undertaken in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath. Pilgrims can choose to complete the journey by road or avail helicopter services. Additionally, some devotees opt for a ‘Do Dham Yatra,’ visiting the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines.