Latest news with #CharDhamYatra2025
India Gazette
3 days 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)
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: SDRF conducts cleanliness drive at Yamunotri Dham
Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], May 24 (ANI): A special cleanliness drive was organised by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in Uttarakhand's Yamunotri Dham on Saturday under the 'Swachh Yamuna, Nirmal Yamuna, Aviral Yamuna' campaign. Supervised by Circle Officer Yamunotri and Assistant Commander of the SDRF, Sushil Rawat, the campaign aimed to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of this holy site by intensifying cleaning efforts in the temple complex of Yamuna Ghat, Hanuman Temple, and Kali Kamli area. According to a release, the drive involved SDRF personnel alongside district police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Home Guard, and PRD (Police Reserve Department) teams. The collaborative effort focused on removing plastic, garbage, and other waste from the Yamuna River area, promoting public awareness about cleanliness. This initiative to maintain cleanliness in a holy place like Yamunotri is important not only from an environmental point of view but also as an important step towards providing a clean and safe environment to pilgrims and devotees. Circle Officer Sushil Rawat also praised all the officers, jawans, and employees involved in the campaign and said that religious places can be kept clean and sacred only through such joint efforts. Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 had officially begun on April 30, with the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham opening on Akshaya Tritiya. On May 2, the doors of Kedarnath were opened, and the doors of the Shri Badrinath temple were opened on May 4. Over 22 lakh pilgrims had registered at the Rishikesh Transit Camp for the sacred journey. The Hindu pilgrimage Char Dham circuit consists of four sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The River Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. Pilgrimage season peaks in Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra annually during the summers. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand government had made extensive preparations for a safe, well-organised and convenient journey for devotees. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: Thousands take holy dip at Pushkar Kumbh in Keshav Prayag
Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], May 18 (ANI): A large number of people gathered on Sunday to take a holy dip at the Pushkar Kumbh, held at Keshav Prayag near Mana--the border village of Chamoli district in Uttarakhand--after a 12-year interval. According to a release from the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO), thousands of devotees have so far taken a holy bath on the banks of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers. This year, the Kumbh is being held from May 14 to May 26. From dawn to dusk, the ghats of Keshav Prayag resonate with bhajans and kirtans. This fair, organised every 12 years at Keshav Prayag, the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers, is associated with great saints like Maharishi Vedvyas, Ramanujacharya, and Madhvacharya, to whom most people from South India go for bathing. Notably, most people from South India come to bathe during this occasion, the CMO said in a statement. Uttarakhand's official said that the police and administration have ensured effective arrangements for devotees' safety, route management, and emergency services. Earlier in the day, the doors of the sacred Rudranath temple, known as the fourth Kedar, reopened for devotees on Sunday morning after being closed during the winter months. Located at over 10,000 feet in Chamoli district, the Shiva shrine of the Panchkedar group of temples draws lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and abroad every year. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the reopening, saying, 'Today, the name of Rudra echoed once again in the peaceful valleys of the Himalayas!'He praised the religious significance of the event and emphasised the state's continued efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience. The Rudranath temple, nestled deep in the Garhwal Himalayas, holds great importance among the Panch Kedar temples. The shrine had remained closed during the harsh winter months due to heavy snowfall and extreme weather. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government said on Saturday that the helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra have resumed and are running smoothly. 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. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: Doors of Rudranath temple reopened for devotees
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 18 (ANI): The doors of sacred Rudranath temple, known as the fourth Kedar, reopened for devotees on Sunday morning after a period of closure during the winter months. Located at a height of over 10,000 feet in Chamoli district, the Shiva shrine of the Panchkedar group of temples draws lakhs of pilgrims every year from across the country and abroad. Announcing the reopening, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, 'Today the name of Rudra echoed once again in the peaceful valleys of the Himalayas!' He praised the religious significance of the event and emphasised the state's continued efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience. The Rudranath temple, nestled deep in the Garhwal Himalayas, holds great importance among the Panch Kedar temples. The shrine had remained closed during the harsh winter months due to heavy snowfall and extreme weather. Highlighting the government's commitment, the chief minister said, 'Our government is continuously working to make the journey of devotees coming to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand from the country and abroad smooth and safe.' All necessary arrangements including medical assistance, accommodation, and improved road connectivity in the area have been made for the pilgrims. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government said on Saturday that the helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra have resumed and are running smoothly. State Director General of Information, Bansidhar Tiwari, told ANI that the services to the four Dhams, including Badrinath and Kedarnath, are operational from all helipads, including the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun. In a post on X, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami said the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is proceeding smoothly, with over 4 lakh devotees having visited the sacred shrines so far. 'Dear Devotees, Chardham Yatra is being conducted smoothly in the state. So far, more than 4 lakh devotees have visited the Dhams. Heli services for Shri Kedarnath Dham are also fully operational. You are requested not to pay attention to any kind of rumour,' he wrote on X. 'The state government is constantly trying to make your travel experience safe and smooth. For any information and assistance, you can call helpline numbers 1364 and 0135-1364. #CharDhamYatra2025,' he added. 'Every year a large number of devotees visit Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra,' the chief minister said, adding, 'Our government is continuously working to make the journey smooth, safe and well organised,' CM Dhami said. 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. (ANI)
India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand Govt transfers 25 IAS, 12 PCS officers
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 11 (ANI): In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Uttarakhand government transferred 25 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 12 Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers. The decision was taken on Saturday by the Uttarakhand government. Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra began in Uttarakhand, and over four lakh devotees visited the state during the first nine days of the yatra. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami acknowledged and welcomed the large number of devotees visiting the four Dhams on Saturday and reassured the public of the safety measures ensured by the government. 'Every year, a large number of devotees visit Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra,' the chief minister said, adding, 'Our government is continuously working to make the journey smooth, safe and well organised.' 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. Earlier on Tuesday, a 24-hour ban was enforced on the usage of horses and mules in the Kedarnath Yatra, an official said on administration took the following reported deaths of some horses and mules here. Yesterday, eight horses and mules died, while today, six of them died. We wanted to ascertain the reason behind it. Tomorrow, a team from the Centre will also come to check the reason for deaths...' said BVRC Purushottam, Secretary, Animal Husbandry (Uttarakhand). Additionally, CM Dhami, on May 3, asserted that the safe travel of the devotees at the Kedarnath Temple is the state government's top priority. The government has provided quick health facilities to the devotees, specialist doctors have been deployed along with the expansion of health services. Rudraprayag district is very sensitive from the disaster point of view, so a separate mobile network has been established in the district. The devotees arriving for the darshan of Baba Kedar in Kedarpuri will now have free Wi-Fi. The devotees have expressed happiness over this and expressed gratitude to the government and the district administration. (ANI)
