Synopsis: The Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand will start on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya (April 22 this year) amid Vedic chants. Kedarnath Dham shrine will be opened at 6:20 AM on April 25 while the doors of Badrinath Dham will open on April 27 at 7.10 AM
After the long winter break of six months, four popular Hindu holy shrines are again opening their doors to regular tourists. Those who have been waiting for the Char Dham Yatra to get started can now register through the web portal of the Uttarakhand government. Registration for the yatra has already started as of today (February 20).
The traditional pilgrimage to the four holy cities of India, known as the Char Dham Yatra, will get underway on Akshaya Tritiya (April 22). Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams will open on the same day, while Kedarnath Dham and Badrinath Dham will open to the public on April 25, at 6:20 AM and April 27 at 7.10 AM respectively.
Char Dham Yatra:
The Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, which are four holy places in the state of Uttarakhand. Every year, thousands of pilgrims take part in this yatra. The journey begins at Yamunotri in Uttarkashi and continues on to Gangotri in the same region. The Kedarnath Temple in the Rudraprayag region is the third stop on the tour. The trip will culminate in arriving at Badrinath in the Chamoli district. The overall distance of the Char Dham's four holy sites is 1,607 kilometers.
Several difficulties will be faced during this year's Char Dham. The most obvious one is the land sliding problem in Joshimath, which serves as the entry point to Badrinath Dham. Joshimath recently noticed a number of concerning cracks in and around the town. It is obvious that the area is in a very fragile state at the moment due to the region's broken roads, homes, and agricultural fields.
According to the most recent reports, new cracks have developed close to Joshimath on the Badrinath Highway.
The authorities have chosen to take the Joshimath route for the Char Dham Yatra. But the Uttarakhand state government has told pilgrims that the current geological problem won't stop them from going on the Char Dham Yatra.
Is it mandatory to register for the Char Dham Yatra?
Yes, it is mandatory to register for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, India. After the Kedarnath flood in 2014, the government of Uttarakhand made biometric registration required for all devotees doing the Char Dham yatra in the state of Uttarakhand. So, it's completely to ensure the safety and security of the devotees.
Registration can be done online or in person, and it's best to do it early to avoid any problems at the last minute. The registration process requires providing personal information, and biometric details. Visitors may also have to get a medical checkup before they can go on the yatra.