The Char Dham Yatra started formally in Uttarakhand on Wednesday with the reopening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya. A large number of devotees were present at the two shrines in Uttarkashi district on the occasion.
After a gap of about six months when the Char Dham shrines remain closed to the public during the winters, two of the Char Dham shrines- Gangotri and Yamunotri were reopened to the public on Wednesday.
Amidst hawan, chanting of Vedic mantras and other religious traditions, the portals of Yamunotri shrine were ceremoniously reopened for the public at 12:15 PM while the portals of Gangotri shrine were reopened for the public at 1:15 PM.
Earlier at about 8 PM the ceremonial process of goddess Ganga proceeded from the Bhairav temple in Bhairav Ghati accompanied by devotees and a band from the Mahar Regiment.
The procession carrying the palanquin of goddess Ganga arrived at Gangotri at 10 AM. Following various rituals, the portals were later opened for the devotees at 1:15 PM. Similarly, the procession of devotees carrying the palanquin on goddess Yamuna left from her winter abode of Kharsali village at 9:15 AM and reached Yamunotri at about 11:30 PM.