The Char Dham Yatra of 2024 commenced with the ceremonial opening of the Kedarnath temple on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya, May 10. Devotional hymns and the echoing chant of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ filled the air at this sacred abode of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims, lined up in devotion, were showered with flowers from helicopters hovering above.

In the following days, Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham welcomed pilgrims on May 10, and the Badrinath shrine opened its doors on May 12.

Char Dham Yatra
Source: Instagram

The online registration process for the annual pilgrimage to Uttarakhand's four holy shrines began last month through the tourism department's digital platform.

Every year, thousands of pilgrims are drawn to these sacred grounds, following a period of closure that typically lasts for about six months during the winter. The pilgrimage usually begins in April or May and lasts until the end of October or November.

New Directives for Pilgrims

As many pilgrims gather at Gangotri and Yamunotri for the Char Dham Yatra, the Uttarakhand police have issued new guidelines stressing the importance of prior registration before undertaking this holy journey.

Arpan Yaduvanshi, the Superintendent of Police in Uttarkashi, has made a public appeal stressing the importance of registration before arrival and advising against travel plans that precede the allotted registration dates.

In a proactive measure, the Rudraprayag Police initiated ‘Operation Maryada’ to preserve the decorum and sanctity of the pilgrimage. This operation targets and curtails any inappropriate behavior, including alcohol or narcotics consumption, within the vicinity of the holy sites and along the pilgrim’s path.The police force has called upon the visiting devotees to act with dignity and respect, thereby maintaining the sacred nature of the yatra.

Harshvardhini Suman, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Guptkashi, assured that the Rudraprayag Police are committed to ensuring a peaceful and safe journey for those traveling to the revered Shri Kedarnath Dham Yatra. The district police have launched 'Operation Maryada' to take strong action against any inappropriate behavior or substance abuse in the Dham area and at the pilgrimage stops.

In response to the unexpected increase in pilgrims at the Char Dhams, Uttarakhand's Director General of Police, Abhinav Kumar, has contacted police leaders across the country. He has asked them not to arrange VIP visits from their states to the Char Dham sites until May 31, to better manage the crowd.

Significance of the Journey

The Char Dham Yatra holds deep spiritual importance in Hinduism. This pilgrimage involves visits to four sacred places — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The term 'Char Dham' means 'four abodes' in Hindi, representing the four religious destinations, as explained on the official website of Uttarakhand tourism.

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