PrashantNews
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday formally launched the winter Chardham Yatra, a move to promote tourism when the portals of the top four Hindu shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri remained closed during the period in the Garhwal region.
Dhami launched the winter yatra from Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district, which is the winter-abode of the Lord Kedarnath. Dhami wants to promote pilgrimage to all the four winter abodes of the four Chardham shrines.
The portals of Kedarnath which were closed in November will open in April-May. During the winter period when the portals of Kedarnath remained closed, the prayers are held in Onkareshwar temple where idols of Lord Shiva are brought from Kedarnath temple.
After the launch of the winter yatra, the Chief Minister also inspected the various arrangements made by the administration for the pilgrims. He said that he has officially started the Chardham Winter Yatra by taking the blessings of Baba Kedar. He said his government is trying to ensure that pilgrims come to the state round the year which will give further boost to the state’s economy.
“This will not only bring pilgrims throughout the year, but many tourist places in Garhwal will also get new identity. Along with this, new employment opportunities will be created for the local people which will help in strengthening their economic condition,” the Chief Minister said. He appealed to the people in the country and abroad to come to the state during winter also. He said, “Along with this, visit many tourist places including Auli, Pandukeshwar, Chopta, Joshimath, Kalpeshwar, Triyuginarayan, Kalimath, Devriyataal, Harsil, Nelang Valley, Har Ki Dun, Hanol, Vishwanath Temple and Tehri Lake.
Dhami said the pilgrims will be given a 10 percent discount on rent if they stay in the hotels of Garhwal Mandal Development Corporation (GMVN).
Every year in October-November, the doors of the four Dhams- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are closed and after that the deities installed in the temples are taken to their winter residence where they are worshipped in winter.
The idol of Goddess Ganga from Gangotri shrine is kept in Mukhaba and goddess Yamuna from Yamunotri temple is taken to Kharsali in Uttarakashi district. Similarly the idol of Lord Badri from Badrinath shrine is brought to his winter abode Narsingh temple in Joshimath in Chamoli district.