As the Char Dham shrines are being closed to the public for the winters, people involved in various pilgrimage related trades are feeling disappointment due to the lack of takers for the winter Char Dham Yatra. The local residents do not appear enthusiastic about the winter pilgrimage plan of the State Government. Observers point out that even in the government machinery, little attention is being paid to the winter Char Dham Yatra.
last year, the State Government and temple committee had made focused efforts for the winter Yatra. Programmes had also been organised by the authorities to raise public awareness on the winter Char Dham Yatra but no such activities have been held prominently this year.
It is pertinent to mention here that following the 2013 disaster and resultant decrease in Char Dham pilgrim numbers, the State Government had decided to launch the winter pilgrimage to shrines where the presiding deities of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are installed and ceremoniously worshipped. While the Char Dham shrines remain closed to the public in the winter, lord Kedarnath is ceremoniously worshipped at Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath, lord Badrinath is worshiped at the Yogdhyan temple in Pandukeshwar, goddess Gangotri is worshiped at Mukhba and goddess Yamunotri atKharsali.
Initially the public response to the winter Yatra appeared to be lacking but the winter pilgrimage gradually increased in volume to the winter abode of lord Badrinath. Since there was a dispute between residents of Pandukeshwar and Joshimath on the winter abode of Badrinath last year, the winter pilgrimage to Badrinath was facilitated to both the Yogdhyan temple in Pandukeshwar and the Narsinh temple in Joshimath.
According to data from official sources, last year a total of 6,348 persons had visited the winter abode of lord Badrinath.
However, this year, days after the closure of the Badrinath shrine to the public, the arrival of pilgrims visiting the Yogdhyan temple in Pandukeshwar and Narsinh temple in Joshimath is yet to pick up. These shrines bear a quiet look without the activity of pilgrims as envisioned by the State Government in its winter Char Dham Yatra plan.
When this correspondent contacted the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) office in Joshimath to enquire about the number of visitors to these shrines so far this year, the staff failed to provide any information.
Observers point out that while politicians have remained busy in making announcements and public servants remain occupied in processing various ‘developmental’ activities, the winter Char Dham Yatra plan of the State Government may soon flop if government apathy towards it continues in the coming days.