The holy Char Dham Yatra started on Wednesday with the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. This spiritual journey is very important for many people who follow the Sanatan faith. It takes pilgrims through four special temples in the Himalayas—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

Before the temple doors opened, the palanquins (known as "dolis") of the goddesses were taken from their winter homes. After staying for six months in Mukba village, the palanquin of Goddess Ganga began its journey to Gangotri Dham on Tuesday. It stayed overnight at Bhairav Temple in Bhairavghati.

Tirtha Purohit Rajesh Semwal said that the palanquin would reach the Gangotri temple on Wednesday. The temple doors were opened at 10:30 am with traditional rituals and Vedic chants.

At the same time, the palanquin of Maa Yamuna left her winter home in Kharsali for Yamunotri Dham. The temple gates opened at 11:55 am to welcome the devotees.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared his greetings with the pilgrims. On the social media platform X, he posted:
"Today, on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Shri Yamunotri Dham and Shri Gangotri Dham will be formally opened for the devotees to visit. Char Dham Yatra – 2025 is going to start from today. This holy journey is a symbol of a unique confluence of faith, devotion, and invaluable sentiments of Sanatan culture."
"On behalf of the state government, all the devotees are welcomed and greeted for the Char Dham Yatra. It is our prayer that with the blessings of Maa Yamuna and Maa Ganga, the lives of all the devotees be blessed."

Kedarnath and Badrinath to open soon

The doors of Kedarnath Dham will open on Friday, and Badrinath Dham will open on Sunday. The idol of Lord Kedarnath was sent from the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on Monday with special prayers.

The Char Dham Yatra is one of India’s most respected pilgrimages, attracting thousands of people each year. The journey follows a clockwise path starting from Yamunotri, then Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. Each place holds deep religious meaning in the Sanatan tradition.

 

You might also be interested in: Caught on camera: Restaurant owner abuses customer over missing tip