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The doors of the Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will open on Sunday, the auspicious date of Akshay Tritiya, signaling the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra.
Temples have been gorgeously decked with flowers, and stringent security measures have been put in place.
The ceremonial palanquin (‘Doli’) of Goddess Ganga has already left her winter home in Mukhba village following special prayers and ceremonies, eliciting immense enthusiasm and devotion from residents and pilgrims. Meanwhile, the palanquin of Goddess Yamuna left her winter home in Kharsali village.
The village witnessed vibrant celebrations, with chants of “Jai Maa Gange”, accompanied by traditional instruments such as ‘dhol-damau’ and ‘ransingha’. A large number of devotees, priests, sadhus, and officials participated in the procession, reflecting a deep sense of faith and unity.
On Sunday, the idols will be placed inside the Yamunotri and Gangotri temple premises.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Today, on the sacred occasion of Akshay Tritiya, the gates of Shri Gangotri and Shri Yamunotri Dham will be opened for devotees with full rites and rituals. With this, the Char Dham Yatra-2026 is also being inaugurated.”
He said that the state government has ensured “comprehensive and robust” preparations to make the Char Dham Yatra “safe, well-organised, and devotee-friendly”.
“I pray to Mother Ganga and Mother Yamuna that they fill all your lives with happiness, prosperity, and progress,” CM Dhami added.
In another post, the Chief Minister said, “A warm welcome and greetings to all devotees in the land of the gods, Uttarakhand. During the journey, please adhere to the prescribed rules and, keeping environmental conservation in mind, actively contribute to making this holy pilgrimage plastic-free. May the Lord bless this sacred journey with happiness, prosperity, and spiritual advancement in all your lives.”
Meanwhile, Shri Kedarnath Dham will be open on April 22, followed by Shri Badrinath Dham on April 23.
Until Saturday evening, 18.9 lakh pilgrims have registered online for the yatra. Kedarnath received the most registrations, with 6.5 lakh, followed by Badrinath (5.5 lakh), Gangotri (3.3 lakh), and Yamunotri (3.2 lakh).
Earlier on Saturday, CM Dhami launched the yatra from the Char Dham Yatra Transit Camp in Rishikesh, thus beginning one of the most important pilgrimages in Sanatan Dharma. The Chief Minister spoke with devotees, exchanged greetings, and wished them a safe and spiritually fulfilling journey.
Due to the cold weather in the alpine regions, additional facilities have been set up at all four shrines: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
The Char Dham Yatra generally begins in Haridwar or Rishikesh and travels via Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and ultimately Badrinath, attracting thousands of devotees from India and worldwide each year.
Source: IANS
