Char Dham shrines shifted to winter abode, open for yatra

As per the state government data released on Sunday, over 5,000 pilgrims have visited the winter abodes of the Char Dham shrines.

- HT Correspondent

MUSSOORIE:

After the Char Dham shrines are closed for the winter months, the deities of these shrines are moved in palanquins to their winter abodes which are at specific temples and shrines located at lower elevations. Kedarnath Dham is moved to Ukimath, Badrinath Dham is at Pandukeshwar (Jyotirmath). Gangotri Dham is transferred to Mukhva, while Yamunotri Dham is moved to Kharsali.

Winter Char Dham yatra started on November 24 and was formally inaugurated on December 8 by chief minister Pushkar Dhami.

The chief executive officer of the Badrinath Kedarnath temple committee (BKTC) Vijay Thapliyal said, "With the closure of the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples on November 3 and November 17 respectively, and the moving of deities to their winter abodes in Ukhimath and Pandukeshwar, the winter Char Dham yatra began and was later inaugurated formally by the chief minister."

"We have made all arrangements for the devotees and our charging nominal rent in 27 guest houses managed by the BKTC on the yatra route right from Rishikesh to Ukhimath and Badrinath. We have also sent an invitation to popular dignitaries to visit the Char Dham shrine's winter abode to create more awareness about it," he added.

According to the state government data, 509 pilgrims visited the winter abodes of Char Dham shrines on Saturday.