The stalled pilgrimage has left only silence prevailing in the otherwise bustling religious centres like Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams in Uttarakhand state.
The blocked roads and the poor condition of some of them due to incessant rains and concomitant landslips have resulted in the pilgrims not being able to reach them. Due to pilgrimage remaining stalled, the traders are now keeping their shops closed and this is what has given these places off-season ambience.
landslides at many places along Gangotri Highway have stopped the pilgrims from ascending to the pilgrim centres, it is learnt. The footfalls of the pilgrims remaining elusive, only tirth purohits and temple functionaries are being seen camping in these religious places.
The Gangotri temple committee spends about Rs 10,000 per month by way of preparing bhog-prasada and providing salaries to the employees.
Now, the committee members are engaged in repairing the temple. “We have time now at our disposal as we are not required to cater to the needs of the pilgrims. This we are using in beautifying the temple. The wooden carvings inside the temple are being given a fresh coat of paint. We hope things would look up in due course and the pilgrims would gather here in hordes as they are used to in normal times,” a temple committee functionary said.