Char Dham yatra begins, portals of Gangotri, Yamunotri open for pilgrims

Char Dham yatra started on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Saturday with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham shrines. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the departure of Maa Yamuna’s Doli from the Kharsali village.

A helicopter showered flower petals on Uttarakhand CM Dhami and locals as they participate in the departure of Goddess Yamuna’s Doli from village Kharsali. CM Dhami said that the Char Dham Yatra began from Yamunotri Dham today and after this, the portals of Gangotri Dham and Yamunotri Dham will open today.
“Char Dham Yatra began from Yamunotri Dham today. After this, the portals of Gangotri Dham will open today, Kedarnath Dham on 25 April and Badrinath Dham on 27 April. The first puja today was held on behalf of PM Modi…Ever since he became the PM, Sanatan culture, religious places, and pilgrimages have enhanced. All of this was done under his leadership. So, the first puja was done on his behalf, because he is a devotee of all the four dams and Lord Shiva,” said Dhami.
Each year, the palanquin carrying the idol of goddess Yamuna is taken out amid the chanting of Vedic hymns.
Situated at the heights of the great Himalayas, the four pilgrim destinations Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath are collectively known as Char Dham. These religious centres draw large numbers of pilgrims each year and are the most famous hubs of religious travel across the Northern part of India.
Baba’s Doli reached Gupta Kashi Vishwanath temple on Friday for the first night stay. The additional stay of this Bardoli is happening in Guptkashi. The Doli will reach Kedarnath on 24 April.