North India Statesman
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Chardham Yatra is starting today on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. For the next six months, pilgrims will be able to travel to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In fact, Chardham Yatra is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the world. All the holy places of Char Dham Yatra are dedicated to various deities. Kedarnath Dham is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath Dham is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Gangotri Dham is dedicated to Maa Ganga and Yamunotri is dedicated to Maa Yamuna.
Today the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham will open
Today, on this holy festival of Akshaya Tritiya, the doors of Gangotri Dham will open at 10:30 am and Yamunotri Dham doors will open at 11:50 am. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will open for devotees on Friday, 2 May 2025 at 7 am. Apart from this, the doors of Badrinath Dham will open on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
Special security arrangements for Chardham Yatra
This time special security arrangements have been made for the Chardham Yatra. Additional police force is being deployed on this pilgrimage route. In terms of security, the journey route is divided into 2 super zones, 7 zones and 26 sectors. Apart from this, Additional Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Inspector level officials have been deployed for the yatra. Apart from the police, about 850 personnel of PAC, Fire Brigade, SDRF, Home Guard, PRD have been deployed.
How to travel Chardham?
Chardham Yatra begins with Haridwar or Dehradun. There are two ways of this journey – by road and by helicopter.
1. By road
Char Dham Yatra can be started from Haridwar, Delhi, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Haridwar railway station is the nearest railway station for these holy places. Haridwar is connected to Delhi and other major cities by road and rail network. State transport and private buses are available for these holy pilgrimage sites.
2. Helicopter
Helicopter service is available from Dehradun to Chardham. Helicopter service is available from Dehradun to Kharsali, which is about 6 km from the Yamunotri temple. It is far away. Harsil Helipad is the nearest helipad to the Gangotri temple, which is 25 km from the temple. It is far away. The helipads of Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham are also located near the temple.
Importance of Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra takes devotees to four important pilgrimage sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These Himalayan sites have religious significance and millions of pilgrims come here every year.
Yamunotri-
This pilgrimage begins with the Yamunotri temple dedicated to the goddess Yamuna. Pilgrims have to travel 6 km from Janaki Chatti to reach the temple. You have to travel on foot. After that this temple, built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal, is an important spiritual site.
Gangotri-
Another pilgrimage site is Gangotri, dedicated to the Ganges River. Located at an altitude of 3048 meters, this temple is a place of reverence for those who want to express respect for the holy river.
Kedarnath-
The third journey is from Kedarnath. Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Located at an altitude of 3,584 meters, this temple is surrounded by the Himalayas. According to beliefs, this temple was originally built by the Pandavas and later rebuilt it by Adi Shankaracharya.
Badrinath-
The last pilgrimage is of Badrinath Dham, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a 3.3 meter high black stone statue of Badrinarayan and is of the Vedic era.
