Chardham Yatra set to begin tomorrow; CM Dhami extends warm wishes to devotees

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 9 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has extended warm wishes to the devotees gearing up for the Chardham Yatra, which is set to begin on Friday. He wished the pilgrims a safe and fulfilling journey while expressing hope that the event would be completed with joy and enthusiasm, as in previous years.
Welcoming all the devotees who came for the Chardham Yatra, the Chief Minister conveyed his prayers to Baba Kedar, Maa Gangotri, Maa Yamunotri, and Badrivishal, seeking their blessings for a safe and successful Chardham Yatra.
"Just like last year, this year also the Chardham Yatra should be completed safely with joy and pomp," Dhami said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this year's event would surpass all previous records in terms of participation and overall success.
"The state government is continuously reviewing the preparations for the Chardham Yatra at every level," stated Dhami. "We are committed to ensuring that every devotee returns home with golden memories of their time spent in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand."
The Chief Minister highlighted that the Chardham Yatra is a significant event for the state, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad. With over 20 lakh registrations for the Yatra so far this year, the state government is working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and safe journey for all.
Dhami remarked that the arrangements being made are not only to ensure a successful Yatra but also to leave a lasting impression on the devotees, encouraging them to return to Uttarakhand in the future.
"The state government is making efforts for a safe Chardham Yatra. The preparations related to the Chardham Yatra are being continuously reviewed by the government at every level. Our effort will be that whichever devotee returns to his home after the end of the Yatra, the devotee should take with him the golden memories of the time spent in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand," Dhami said.
"Chardham Yatra is like a festival for Uttarakhand, and it has the special blessings of God," noted said. He urged everyone involved in the Yatra, from cleaning staff to police personnel and administrative officers, to do their best to ensure that no devotee faces any inconvenience. The Chief Minister concluded by appealing for mutual cooperation and emphasizing that, with God's blessings, the Chardham Yatra would be completed successfully and safely.
This year's Chardham Yatra is expected to attract a record number of devotees, further boosting Uttarakhand's tourism industry and promoting the spiritual and cultural heritage of the region on a global scale.
"The state government is trying to provide every comfort and facility to the devotees when they come on the Char Dham Yatra, so that they make up their mind to come to Uttarakhand again and again in the future, which can boost our tourism industry. We all have to cooperate to ensure smooth and successful journey of all the devotees coming on the Char Dham Yatra so that more and more devotees can also help in spreading the message of our Devbhoomi in the country and the world," Dhami said.
Earlier, as the doors of Kedarnath Dham are going to open tomorrow, the preparations are going on in full swing, with worship and Vedic chanting.
"The preparations for the opening of the doors are going on in full swing and the temple is being decorated with 40 quintals of flowers," said Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) President Ajendra Ajay.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also took to his official X handle and welcomed the devotees to Kedarnath Dham. The Chief Minister tweeted, "Hearty welcome and greetings to all the devotees in Shri Kedarnath Dham in Chardham Yatra-2024... Hail Lord Kedar!"
On the day of the opening of doors, performances will be given by nationally renowned bhajan singers from the decorated stage in the temple courtyard.
This year, the Char Dham Yatra will begin on May 10, with the opening of three of the four shrines, including Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath. The doors of Badrinath will open on May 12.
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.