The Utsav Doli of Goddess Ganga proceeded towards Gangotri from her winter residence in Mukhbha on Saturday. On Sunday, both the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines will be reopened for the summer, which will mark the start of the Char Dham Yatra. However, pilgrims are not being allowed to visit the shrines for now considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in force to contain it.
To ensure necessary precautions in view of COVID-19, the Uttarkashi chief medical officer Dr DP Joshi oversaw medical checks after which the procession went ahead observing social distancing and other precautionary measures. The palanquin of goddess Ganga will stay the night at the Bhairav temple in Bhairav Ghati on Saturday after which on Sunday it will reach Gangotri where the portals of the shrine will be opened at 12:35 PM.
In view of the lockdown, no pilgrims are permitted to visit Gangotri on this occasion. The ritual procession of goddess Yamuna will proceed towards Yamunotri on Sunday morning from her winter abode at Kharsali. The portals of Yamunotri will be reopened for the summer at 12:41 PM on Sunday. Char Dham Development Council chairman Shiv Prasad Mamgain said that the ritual worship in Gangotri and Yamunotri will be conducted by the priests as done traditionally.
The Uttarakhand Char Dham Devsthanam Board (UCDDB) is working at the administrative level. Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar has issued elaborate directions for arrangements regarding reopening of the Char Dham shrines. UCDDB CEO and Garhwal commissioner Ravinath Raman has directed the sub divisional magistrates of Bhatwadi and Badkot to ensure necessary arrangements for reopening of Gangotri and Yamunotri. Preparations have also been started for reopening of Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines for which advance teams have been sent there by the board.
While Kedarnath will be reopened on April 29, Badrinath shrine will be reopened on May 15. Social distancing and other aspects in the government advisory are being observed in the ritual reopening of the Char Dham shrines.