Considering the Covid surge in the state and across the nation, chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat announced that the Char Dham Yatra slated to begin next month has been suspended. While pilgrims will not be allowed to visit the shrines, the Char Dham shrines will reopen as scheduled with only the priests being allowed to conduct the daily worship and rituals. Talking to media persons here on Thursday, the chief minister said that the decision to suspend the pilgrimage had been taken for the safety of the devotees. Only the priests and Teerth Purohits will be allowed to conduct the ritual worship in the Char Dham shrines. Nobody else will be allowed to visit the shrines, not even the residents of the districts in which the shrines are situated. Rawat said, “Covid cases are rising across the nation as in Uttarakhand. The government is alert in such times and hence decided to suspend the Char Dham Yatra. The safety of the people is among the topmost priority of the government,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that while Gangotri and Yamunotri will be reopened to the public on May 14, Kedarnath will be reopened on May 17 and Badrinath on May 18.

Meanwhile, the state’s Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaaz held a review meeting with officials concerned about the possibilities of starting the Yatra in coming months only after proper guidelines and directions are issued by the state government. Addressing officials in the virtual meeting the minister directed them to ramp up arrangements and medical facilities required to start the Yatra only after the state government issues directions.

The Devasthanam Board CEO Ravinath Raman said, "The decision to suspend the Yatra was taken after intense brainstorming on the Char Dham Yatra. Proper arrangements will be made for the devotees after the state government issues such directions."