Portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines reopened on Monday after offering special prayers in presence of thousands of devotees. With this, the Char Dham Yatra formally began. The portals of Yamunotri were opened at 11am followed by opening of the portals of Gangotri at 2 pm.
After the six-month long winter stay, Ganga’s ceremonial palanquin reached Gangotri where special prayers followed by bhog was offered to Ganga’s idol. After that the idol of Ganga was set up in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple where the devotees offered prayers.
On arrival of the palanquin of Ganga, traditional dhol-damau and fifth Garhwal Rifles band gave a grand welcome to the goddess. Devotees’ chants echoed in the air inspite of the cold.
Religious fervour touched it peak when thousands of devotees who reached there to witness the event made acclamation together. Since it is commonly believed that witnessing the event incurs good fortune and auspiciousness, the devotees from various parts of the nation poured in there to earn good fortune.
Though it is cold in Gangotri, the devotees beat down cold weather to have a glimpse of the event that takes place once in a year. The portals are opened on Akshay Tritiya day every year.
Offering prayers in the temples on Akshay Tritiya Day gains special significance since common belief has it that Holy River Ganga descended to the Earth from lord Shiva’s locks on Akshaya Tritiya.
Portals of lord Kedarnath Temple will open on May 14, while opening of portals of lord Badrinath Temple is scheduled on May 16 after special prayers. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today that no laxity in the arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra would be tolerated.
Talking informally to media persons at the Secretariat, the CM said that the preparations were being monitored .He said electricity, water, health, and sanitation facilities would be provided and comfort of pilgrims would be looked after. He said officials had been directed to ensure all these facilities to the devotees.
Welcoming the pilgrims, he said that they should get a medical check-up done before embarking on the Yatra. He also requested them to be careful while driving on the Yatra routes passing through mountainous areas. He appealed to the drivers to follow all the rules of driving.