There has been limited public response to the winter pilgrimage being facilitated by the State Government to the temples where the presiding deities of the Char Dham shrines are ceremoniously worshipped during the winter.
The Narsinh temple in Joshimath is being presented as the winter residence of lord Badrinath but the number of devotees visiting this temple has been quite less since the portals of Badrinath temple were closed for the winters on November 27.
This temple in Joshimath presently bears a deserted look in contrast to the scenario planned and publicised by the State Government to boost tourism and the local economy. According to the temple committee officials only 60 persons have visited the Narsinh temple in a period of 10 days.
It should be mentioned here that there have been differences between the residents of Joshimath and Pandukeshwar regarding the winter residence of lord Badrinath.
While the people of Joshimath believe the Narsinh temple here to be the winter abode of Badrinath, the people of Pandukeshwar believe that the Yogdhyan temple there is the winter abode of the lord. After much disagreement and debate, the Narsinh temple was made the winter-worship place of Badrinath but the people of Joshimath are disappointed due to the failure of the winter pilgrimage to pick up.
The locals were expecting that devotees would throng to Joshimath to visit the Narsinh temple resulting in business for the local businessmen. However, the winter pilgrimage has not yet picked up as expected.
Though the winter pilgrimage for devotees of Badrinath appears to be failing at the start, some local traders are still hopeful of better inflow of pilgrims and tourists in the coming days.
However, observers point out that the winter pilgrimage plan of the State Government was an impractical idea made worse by the lack of preparations by the State Government even though tall claims were made by the politicians.