The State’s Tourism and Culture Minister Satpal Maharaj said that a decision on reopening the Char Dham and other shrines will be taken on the basis of directions from the Central Government. He said this while chairing a video conference with officials concerned regarding the scheduled reopening of the shrines.
As per religious beliefs and ancient traditions, the Char Dham shrines- Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath along with other important shrines including Tungnath and Bhavishya Badri are closed during the winters and reopened during the summer.
However, due to the nation-wide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, the authorities are in a dilemma regarding the reopening of these important shrines. The reopening of the Char Dham and other important shrines is slated to begin later this month. Maharaj held a video conference with officials concerned to review the possibility of reopening these shrines.
He said that presently there are no COVID-19 positive cases or contagion in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts- where the Char Dham shrines are located. “After reviewing the possibility of reopening the Char Dham shrines, Tungnath and Bhavishya Badri, we are sending this in writing to the Central Government.
Whether these shrines can be reopened or not and if opened will only the necessary priests be allowed or nobody will be allowed to enter the shrines- all this will depend on the Centre’s decision and a decision will taken as per the Centre’s directions.
A decision on opening the Dharmshalas on the Yatra route will be taken after the lockdown is lifted.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, what is being considered presently is how to initiate ritual worship while maintaining social distancing without devotees after opening these shrines. The media will be informed about the decision taken in this regard,” said the Minister.