Sacred Portals of Badrinath shrine opens today

Dehradun, May 10: Finally the Char Dham Yatra has started in full swing as the portals of Badrinath Shrine have been thrown open early this morning amid chants of Vedic Hymns after a six-month-long winter break. Governor Baby Rani Maurya performed Pooja Archana on the auspicious occasion.

 

The holy shrine, situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at a height of 10, 278 feet, was closed in November last year. Thousands of pilgrims lined up at the temple to take part in the daylong opening rituals and witnessed the opening of the door.

The portals of Kedarnath Shrine was opened on Thursday while Gangotri and Yamunotri temples situated in Uttarkashi district was re-opened on Tuesday coinciding with the Akshaya Tritiya.

With the opening of Badrinath shrine the Chardham yatra, comprising Garhwal shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri has commenced in full swing.

While the police department has finalised security plans for the yatra. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), the nodal agency for the pilgrimage, has opened 16 booking counters for the registration of pilgrims and to help them book hotels and guesthouses. Besides, hi-tech medical facilities such as hyperbaric chamber (oxygen chambers), telemedicine and air-lifting at strategic locations will also be introduced. A brigade of around 30 specialised doctors will also be available during the yatra this year.