In a major development to reboot tourism in the calamity marred state, the Government of Uttarakhand has decided to restart the auspicious Char Dham Yatra. The Pilgrimage to the holy shrines of Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath is scheduled beginning next year. The state tourism department will explore all possibilities for the publicity of the winter Char Dham Yatra on the behest of the State Government. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, high end officials and various other stake holders decided to revive the Char Dham Yatra.
The famous Himalayan shrines are closed in October-November every year as the portals to the four holy spots are shut down due to heavy snowfall in the area and reopen in April-May when the snow melts. The idols then are shifted from their preappointed temples to their respective shrines once the portals re-open in the first week of May. Every winter the Shiva deity from Kedarnath is relocated to Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, lord Vishnu from Badrinath is taken to Pandukeshwar in Chamoli district. The idols from Gangotri and Yamunotri are shifted to Mukhba and Kharsail respectively in Uttarkashi district.
CM Rawat lauded the decision as it will help to attract a sizable number of devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad, to these holy places in winter,”The move will also shoot up the state’s revenue by a sizeable amount”.
News Src: Business Standards, TOI
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Published Date: October 15, 2014
