Latest news with #CharDhamYatra
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- India Gazette
Char Dham Yatra draws over 1.6 mn devotees, Kedarnath sees more than 6.50 lakh visitors in 30 days
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 31 (ANI): In a remarkable display of faith and devotion, the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra has attracted immense enthusiasm from devotees across India and overseas. Since the commencement of the pilgrimage, over 1.6 million devotees have flocked to the revered Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Notably, Kedarnath Dham has witnessed unprecedented crowds, with more than 650,000 visitors arriving in just 30 days following the doors' opening on May 2. This surge in attendance highlights the deep spiritual connection and devotion that continues to draw pilgrims to these sacred sites. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. One of the most revered temples in the country, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath draws countless devotees and visitors from across the country. The high-altitude shrines remain shut for six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing at the onset of winter (October or November). The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. (ANI)
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Char Dham Yatra draws over 1.6 mn devotees, Kedarnath sees more than 6.50 lakh visitors in 30 days
In a remarkable display of faith and devotion, the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra has attracted immense enthusiasm from devotees across India and overseas. Since the commencement of the pilgrimage, over 1.6 million devotees have flocked to the revered Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Notably, Kedarnath Dham has witnessed unprecedented crowds, with more than 650,000 visitors arriving in just 30 days following the doors' opening on May 2. This surge in attendance highlights the deep spiritual connection and devotion that continues to draw pilgrims to these sacred sites. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. One of the most revered temples in the country, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath draws countless devotees and visitors from across the country. Live Events The high-altitude shrines remain shut for six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing at the onset of winter (October or November). The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website.
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First Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
What is Operation Shield to be held in border states, UTs today?
All districts in states and Union Territories bordering Pakistan are conducting civil defence mock drills today under Operation Shield. Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh will conduct massive mock exercises. Here's a detailed look at preparations in each state &UT read more Advertisement (File) NDRF, SDRF and Fire Brigade personnel take part in a mock drill, organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in preparation of the annual Char Dham Yatra, in Dehradun, on April 24, 2025. PTI The Union Home Ministry has officially announced that 'Operation Shield', a large-scale civil defence mock drill, will be carried out on Saturday, May 31, from 5 pm onwards, across all districts in states and Union Territories bordering Pakistan, a government press release said. This means the exercise will be held in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The drill was initially slated for May 29, but was postponed earlier this week due to what authorities described as 'administrative reasons.' Officials have since confirmed that all preparations are now complete for the new date. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, what exactly is Operation Shield all about? How are the states gearing up for this massive mock exercise? And how does it compare to previous May 7 civil defence drills? Here's what we know so far. All about Operation Shield Operation Shield is part of a broader civil defence initiative launched by the government to assess and strengthen the country's readiness in the face of possible external threats. The drill is designed to simulate various emergency scenarios, such as enemy air raids, drone intrusions, missile strikes, and mass evacuations. It will include silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers, evacuation drills, and emergency communication exercises. Operation Shield is part of a broader civil defence initiative launched by the government to assess and strengthen the country's readiness in the face of possible external threats. File image/PTI The first round of such mock exercises took place on May 7, the same day India launched Operation Sindoor , a retaliatory strike targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes came in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which left 26 innocents dead. The situation escalated rapidly, with four days of military tension from May 7 to 10, during which Pakistan launched heavy artillery shelling and attempted drone and missile attacks along both the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC). Operation Shield: Why now? According to a government press statement issued on May 29, the decision to conduct Operation Shield stems from key lessons learned during the earlier exercise. 'Several shortcomings were observed in the previous exercise,' the statement noted, adding that the upcoming drill aims to 'fill the critical gaps and augment the Civil Defence preparedness against the hostile attack.' The press note further instructed local authorities to fully engage with the drill: 'It is requested to plan and organise the Civil Defence Exercise 'Operation Shield' on 31.05.2025 at 1700 Hrs onwards (the exact time may be suited as per local convenience) by involving all local administration and stakeholders. An action taken report in this regard may be shared with this directorate,' the release said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The drill will focus especially on regions near the Line of Control, where the risk of cross-border aggression remains highest. Officials say the goal is to raise both preparedness levels and civilian awareness in these sensitive zones. The decision to conduct Operation Shield stems from key lessons learned during the earlier exercise. File photo/PTI The mock drill will involve 'Civil Defence Wardens/Volunteers stakeholders from local administration and youth volunteers like NCC, NSS NYKS, Bharat Scouts & Guides' in the implementation of several civil defence measures against rival aircraft, drones and missile attacks. Operation Shield: Jammu and Kashmir In Jammu & Kashmir, the Directorates of SDRF and Civil Defence will carry out a large-scale civil defence mock drill as part of Operation Shield, starting at 5 pm across the Union Territory. The exercise will cover several sensitive border districts, including Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, and Kupwara, regions that lie close to the Line of Control (LoC) and are frequently exposed to cross-border threats. Given the security dynamics of the region, Operation Shield in J&K is expected to serve as a critical test of ground-level preparedness and the civilian response system during emergency situations. To support the exercise, officials had earlier issued a comprehensive civil defence drill preparation guide for residents, outlining actions to be taken in the event of air raids or missile threats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Shield: Punjab & Chandigarh In Punjab, the mock drill under Operation Shield will be marked by complete blackout measures in vulnerable civilian areas along the border. A government spokesperson said that the blackout would exclude emergency and critical services. To simulate an actual attack scenario, air raid sirens will also be sounded during the drill. The exercise is set to include sirens, blackouts, and a range of emergency simulations, all aimed at assessing how prepared local authorities and the public are in the face of potential attacks or disasters. In Punjab, the mock drill under Operation Shield will be marked by complete blackout measures in vulnerable civilian areas along the border. File image/ X Punjab's Special Director General of Police, Sanjeev Kalra, confirmed that the drill will cover all districts in the state and will begin at 6 pm. 'The mock drill is a part of Operation Shield and is being conducted in all districts of the bordering states on the Western border. The mock drill will be conducted by 6 pm,' Kalra was quoted as saying in a LiveMint report. The high-intensity simulation is expected to test both infrastructure and coordination among civil, police, and emergency response units across the state. In Chandigarh, a 10-minute blackout, starting at 8 pm, will be observed in Kishangarh and IT Park, stated the official release. Operation Shield: Haryana In Haryana, the state government has announced that Operation Shield mock drills will be conducted across all 22 districts as part of efforts to boost emergency preparedness and response across the region. Officials told PTI that the exercises will start at 5 pm, and will simulate high-risk scenarios such as air raids, drone strikes, and other wartime emergencies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A controlled blackout will also take place near vital installations in the state, from 8:00 pm to 8:15 pm, to mirror possible power outages during an actual attack. However, essential services like hospitals, fire stations, and police stations will remain operational and unaffected. In Haryana, the state government has announced that Operation Shield mock drills will be conducted across all 22 districts as part of efforts to boost emergency preparedness and response across the region. File image/ PTI Haryana's Joint Secretary Sumita Mishra confirmed that the drills would strictly follow guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 'The mock drill will be conducted throughout Haryana on 31st May. We will also be following the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)…The mock drill will prepare us for any future contingencies…32,000 volunteers will also participate in the mock drill…We are training and briefing these volunteers…The activities will be done after 5 pm,' Mishra said. Operation Shield: Rajasthan Officials from Rajasthan confirmed that similar mock drills and blackout exercises, part of 'Operation Shield', will encompass all 41 districts, including Jaisalmer. Official sources told NDTV, the mock drill, mandated by the Rajasthan Home Department, will begin at 5:00 pm, although the exact location in Jaisalmer district has been kept confidential for security purposes. 'We are being trained under the leadership of experienced officers. Along with the mock drill, we are always ready to deal with emergency situations,' said a Civil Defence personnel during a briefing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As part of preparations in Jaisalmer, six locations were selected for airstrike warning sirens, and a total of 72 Civil Defence personnel were deployed for the operation. These sirens were to be used during the blackout phase to simulate an air attack environment. Operation Shield: Gujarat Several districts across Gujarat are set to participate in Operation Shield, with drills designed to test the state's preparedness in the event of cross-border threats or wartime emergencies. According to a local news outlet, Bombay Samachar, in the Patan district, eighteen key locations have been identified for blackout exercises. Neighbouring municipalities such as Siddhpur, Chanasma, Harij, and Radhanpur will also take part in the drill. During the blackout phase, which will take place from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm, streetlights, shop signage, and other external lighting systems will be switched off. Drills are also anticipated in major cities like Vadodara and Surat. To ensure smooth execution, the Revenue Department, led by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi, conducted a virtual review of the state's readiness. She has directed all district collectors to maintain effective coordination with local agencies and ensure seamless implementation of the exercise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Char Dham footfall rises post-slow start, still trails ‘24 figures
Dehradun: In the first 30 days of the Char Dham Yatra this year, around 17.17 lakh devotees visited the four revered Himalayan shrines — lower than the 19.5 lakh recorded in the same period last year. Despite large-scale promotion and awareness drives, the initial turnout remained tepid. Officials and tour operators said the numbers began rising after May 27, following a brief slump attributed in part to cancellations after the terror attack in Pahalgam. Even now, however, the footfall remains below last year's mark. Adding to concerns is the recent spell of rain in the region, with the first half of June — typically the busiest phase of the Yatra — just around the corner. Rakesh Ranjan, president of the Joshimath Hotel Association, told TOI, "Occupancy had dipped to 25–30% but has now improved to 70–75%. Still, it's below the levels seen in the past two years." He added that following the Pahalgam incident, May saw a wave of cancellations. "Enquiries have started again, but everyone's praying that monsoon does not arrive early as people are reluctant to visit hills when it is raining," added Ranjan Former Badri Kedar Temple Committee member Ashutosh Dimri said hotel data alone can't reflect true turnout. "Yes, numbers are lower this year, but the total number of hotels has also increased in the past decade," he said. "With summer vacations ongoing, the Yatra is expected to gain pace in coming weeks." A local tour operator, who saw low demand since the portals opened on April 30, described the season so far as "average". "Cab bookings were limited in May. June has started better," he added.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gangotri: Civic body collects over 2 tonne of clothes discarded by pilgrims in Ganga
The local civic body in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand has intensified efforts to collect clothes discarded by pilgrims into the Ganga (Bhagirathi) River in an effort to curb pollution in the Gangotri region. Officials from the Gangotri Nagar Panchayat said that since the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra this season, over two tonne of clothing thrown into the river at various ghats near the Gangotri shrine have been fished out. Umesh Suyal, executive officer of the Gangotri Nagar Panchayat, said, 'So far, we have collected more than two tonne of clothes discarded by devotees at the ghats of the holy river. We plan to recycle these clothes into various items, including bags, with the help of self-help groups in the region.' He added that nagar panchayat workers, along with personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are working tirelessly to maintain cleanliness in and around the shrine and collect clothes trapped near nets installed in the river. Suyal said that during last year's Yatra season, nearly 22 tonne of clothes, including sarees and other garments, were collected and recycled into colourful mats. 'This year, too, we are encouraging self-help groups from nearby villages to come forward and take up the recycling initiative,' he said. The SDRF has also been requested to deploy more women personnel who can counsel female devotees against discarding clothes into the river and instead direct them to designated collection points. 'A large number of pilgrims visiting Gangotri Dham follow an age-old tradition of discarding old and new garments — sarees, dhotis, stoles —into the river after bathing,' said Kusum Rana, former executive officer of the Gangotri Panchayat, adding, 'To address this and protect the sanctity of the river, the recycling initiative was started in 2023.' Suresh Semwal, secretary of the temple priest committee at Gangotri Dham, said, 'Self-help groups should come forward to create handbags and other useful items from the discarded material. This will not only help in keeping the river clean but also provide livelihood opportunities.' Members of the temple priest community echoed these sentiments, adding that support from the SDRF has been instrumental in making a significant difference in maintaining the river's cleanliness. Gangotri Dham is located on the right bank of the Bhagirathi at an altitude of 3140 metres above sea level. According to Hindu tradition, Ganga descended from heaven to earth at Gangotri, when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from his locks. The actual origin of the river is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier, 19 km away from Gangotri. After it originates from Gaumukh, the river is known as Bhagirathi, and it acquires the name 'Ganga' after the river Alaknanda merges into it near the town of Devaprayag.
